Good design:
is able to move beyond it's physical space
(imprints meaning on the viewer, it applies to more than just it's current medium)
is timeless
is useful
is intuitive without being predictable
gives just enough to allow the viewer's mind to complete the picture (a partnership between creator and user)
adapts to change
grows with the user
allows for discovery
is a fresh surprise
is beautiful
is sustainable
Good design in essence is nature.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Monday, April 18, 2005
Unified Design Theory, Part Two
Another element of design theory is what is being done during the creation process. Currently this is divided into elements and principles such as:
What you have to work with: ELEMENTS
Shape
Color
Texture
Value
Space
Time
What you can do with them: PRINCIPLES
(list is endless really)
Opacity
Stepping
Foreground/Background
Contour Continuation
Rhythm
Balance
Repetition with Variation
Overlapping
Positive/Negative
Isolating
This is all done to create:
STYLE
HIERARCHY
MOOD
That will appeal to:
AUDIENCE
CLIENT
DESIGNER
This is done best through:
COLLABORATION
FEEDBACK
REVISION
What you have to work with: ELEMENTS
Shape
Color
Texture
Value
Space
Time
What you can do with them: PRINCIPLES
(list is endless really)
Opacity
Stepping
Foreground/Background
Contour Continuation
Rhythm
Balance
Repetition with Variation
Overlapping
Positive/Negative
Isolating
This is all done to create:
STYLE
HIERARCHY
MOOD
That will appeal to:
AUDIENCE
CLIENT
DESIGNER
This is done best through:
COLLABORATION
FEEDBACK
REVISION
Unified Design Theory
I'm currently working on a design theory that connects all of the design disciplines: visual, structural, musical, etc. Here is what I have so far:
Design Creation Process:
1) State a specific goal.
2) Organize matter.
3) Designate boundaries.
4) Divide space.
5) Divide time.
6) Populate the areas.
7) Introduce the viewer.
Of course woven into these steps are "revise, revise, revise".
1) State a specific goal.
"I am creating a brochure to educate people about design."
2) Organize matter.
"I'm doing more research on this subject, I have found x and have organized it so that it can be constructed according to the need which has been understood."
3) Designate boundaries.
"I am creating a brochure that is this dimension, for this purpose, directed at this audience."
"I am designing a building that can be located in these areas."
"I'm composing a song in this time frame."
4) Divide space.
"This is where something will be, and where something will not, and the degree to which it is or isn't there."
5) Divide time.
"This is on the cover, this will be on page 5, this will be noticed first, second, third."
4+5 are done cooperatively.
6) Populate the spaces.
"Insert photo, write in text, etc."
7) Introduce the viewer.
"Here is my brochure."
This is just a rough draft and will develop more as I go.
Design Creation Process:
1) State a specific goal.
2) Organize matter.
3) Designate boundaries.
4) Divide space.
5) Divide time.
6) Populate the areas.
7) Introduce the viewer.
Of course woven into these steps are "revise, revise, revise".
1) State a specific goal.
"I am creating a brochure to educate people about design."
2) Organize matter.
"I'm doing more research on this subject, I have found x and have organized it so that it can be constructed according to the need which has been understood."
3) Designate boundaries.
"I am creating a brochure that is this dimension, for this purpose, directed at this audience."
"I am designing a building that can be located in these areas."
"I'm composing a song in this time frame."
4) Divide space.
"This is where something will be, and where something will not, and the degree to which it is or isn't there."
5) Divide time.
"This is on the cover, this will be on page 5, this will be noticed first, second, third."
4+5 are done cooperatively.
6) Populate the spaces.
"Insert photo, write in text, etc."
7) Introduce the viewer.
"Here is my brochure."
This is just a rough draft and will develop more as I go.
Design subscriptions.
http://www.metropolismag.com
My favorite of all three. This magazine advertises itself as "architecture < culture > design" and includes many disciplines. With a subscription you gain access to past articles, which is a valuable resource. Design education is often discussed as well.
http://www.dwellmag.com
An alternative approach to residential design.
http://www.commarts.com
A showcase of juried design competitions in graphic, photography and illustration. Great articles and a good resource for keeping a finger on the current state of the profession.
http://www.emigre.com
A typography house. The articles are a bit too post-modern for me, but their typefaces are lovely.
http://www.houseindustries.com
Another great type house that demonstrates how branding can propel an idea. Not really a magazine but a good catalogue.
http://www.aiga.org
The American Institute of Graphic Artists. THE association for graphic designers in the U.S. The forums are interesting and cover a broad array of topics.
My favorite of all three. This magazine advertises itself as "architecture < culture > design" and includes many disciplines. With a subscription you gain access to past articles, which is a valuable resource. Design education is often discussed as well.
http://www.dwellmag.com
An alternative approach to residential design.
http://www.commarts.com
A showcase of juried design competitions in graphic, photography and illustration. Great articles and a good resource for keeping a finger on the current state of the profession.
http://www.emigre.com
A typography house. The articles are a bit too post-modern for me, but their typefaces are lovely.
http://www.houseindustries.com
Another great type house that demonstrates how branding can propel an idea. Not really a magazine but a good catalogue.
http://www.aiga.org
The American Institute of Graphic Artists. THE association for graphic designers in the U.S. The forums are interesting and cover a broad array of topics.
I hate walls: an introduction to 1+1=3 and 2+3=100.
I'm a graphic designer, who after years of teaching in a university graphic design program, am now teaching in an interior design program. I have found my views changing on my own field as well as how I teach because of this new perspective. I've also been entertaining this enduring craving to produce a designed experience more tactile than that of an online or print work. Interior design and architecture are the most tempting for filling this hunger.
After realizing how often I'm emailing out links to resources I find online, I've decided instead to build this into a blog. This will act as a place to track how these latest discoveries are molding my views on design and provide a forum to create discussion around these topics.
I hate walls. This man vs. nature thing is overrated. I would like to see a more intelligent solution to integrating design with nature so that they co-exist. This has been represented under such names as "green design" and "biomimicry". Instead of focusing on the technical aspects of conserving energy, or analyzing the biology behind nature, I am more interested in the physical/visual design of spaces and how they can collaborate with the user in a cohesive way using the second and third dimensions.
1+1=3, 2+3=100.
1+1=3. A project is more than the sum of its parts. When two things combine, a new meaning is created. A tree + a rope can = a swing (youth), or a noose (death). All depending on how those two elements are combined and shown.
2= Graphic design.
The needs of information to be communicated is changing as technology surfaces in more places. It used to be that design was solely based on static media, such as paper. This medium offers the designer total control over the space, but has only as much influence on the user as the user is willing to accept the message (or not throw it away). Communication of message is the primary goal with graphic design: to inform, persuade or entertain the viewer. This influence can only increase as the mediums increase.
There is a tendency of the design industry to identify themselves as a designer of a particular medium. In an article some years ago in Communication Arts, a writer said that instead of identifying ourselves in terms of "we do brochures, business cards, websites, or magazines" we should focus on the communication solution designers provide. Instead the focus should be on the delivery of solutions, no matter the medium. When we do this, both fields will expand.
3=Architecture.
A structure for providing a livable space. This is my perception of it for now. I don't feel like I am exactly qualified to define this entire discipline. My guess for this is much less educated than that of graphic design. ;) Until this changes, I will base my views on this assumption.
100=Design + Architecture.
If these two fields are combined, I believe the ability to impact, communicate and direct the viewer will increase. For instance, consider the impact on a hospital that is designed to take care of the patient physically as well as mentally by having the graphic and architectural designed as a whole, and not a separate dimension. This would also help the medical staff in transferring information between themselves and the patients.
A study in this idea will be realized namely in a foreign study experience in London during the summer of '06. This in itself will require a new post. :) I look forward to posting the information I find on this blog, and hearing your take on this as well!
Sincerely,
Corrine
After realizing how often I'm emailing out links to resources I find online, I've decided instead to build this into a blog. This will act as a place to track how these latest discoveries are molding my views on design and provide a forum to create discussion around these topics.
I hate walls. This man vs. nature thing is overrated. I would like to see a more intelligent solution to integrating design with nature so that they co-exist. This has been represented under such names as "green design" and "biomimicry". Instead of focusing on the technical aspects of conserving energy, or analyzing the biology behind nature, I am more interested in the physical/visual design of spaces and how they can collaborate with the user in a cohesive way using the second and third dimensions.
1+1=3, 2+3=100.
1+1=3. A project is more than the sum of its parts. When two things combine, a new meaning is created. A tree + a rope can = a swing (youth), or a noose (death). All depending on how those two elements are combined and shown.
2= Graphic design.
The needs of information to be communicated is changing as technology surfaces in more places. It used to be that design was solely based on static media, such as paper. This medium offers the designer total control over the space, but has only as much influence on the user as the user is willing to accept the message (or not throw it away). Communication of message is the primary goal with graphic design: to inform, persuade or entertain the viewer. This influence can only increase as the mediums increase.
There is a tendency of the design industry to identify themselves as a designer of a particular medium. In an article some years ago in Communication Arts, a writer said that instead of identifying ourselves in terms of "we do brochures, business cards, websites, or magazines" we should focus on the communication solution designers provide. Instead the focus should be on the delivery of solutions, no matter the medium. When we do this, both fields will expand.
3=Architecture.
A structure for providing a livable space. This is my perception of it for now. I don't feel like I am exactly qualified to define this entire discipline. My guess for this is much less educated than that of graphic design. ;) Until this changes, I will base my views on this assumption.
100=Design + Architecture.
If these two fields are combined, I believe the ability to impact, communicate and direct the viewer will increase. For instance, consider the impact on a hospital that is designed to take care of the patient physically as well as mentally by having the graphic and architectural designed as a whole, and not a separate dimension. This would also help the medical staff in transferring information between themselves and the patients.
A study in this idea will be realized namely in a foreign study experience in London during the summer of '06. This in itself will require a new post. :) I look forward to posting the information I find on this blog, and hearing your take on this as well!
Sincerely,
Corrine
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