Design In Our Lives

                On this particular field trip I visited the Design Galleries and viewed many utilitarian and purely aesthetic designs from a variety of media. The essence of design is to create something that merges function with certain aesthetic qualities. In my opinion, designs that uniquely incorporates ergonomics are of the best quality, since their function has been well adapted for use by human beings. Ergonomics is the study of design and adaptation towards how human beings think and the limits of our physical bodies in association with designed objects. This practical or functional aspect is in my view, is not necessarily an essential part of a good design. Art and design are two separate ideas; with Art having to do with aesthetic emotion, message, and intent, while design is more related to function and purpose. Although they both embody two different sets of ideas there are many points where they overlap. An excellent design incorporates the values of art into its structure, displaying aesthetics and a sense that in essence the design could stand on its own as a work of art, before even mentioning its functional aspects. An outstanding work of art can then too, incorporate well designed function or purpose into its method or final product, giving it meaning as a well designed object before even considering its aesthetic qualities.

                The two pieces I chose to illustrate "high functionality" were SMIT's "GROW" and, Ido Bruno & Arthur Brutter's "EPT - Earthquake Proof Table". I chose both of these pieces because they masterfully incorporated a unique aesthetic into their design elements, yet had very functional aspects that stood out to me. "GROW" is a hybrid energy generating device that delivers both solar and wind power. The design is extremely ergonomic because these photovoltaic panels appear like naturally occurring vines, so it is not intrusive into everyday life. The design is extremely functional because it provides electricity, an essential need of the modern world. It is at the same time an aesthetically pleasing design, with each vine leaf well crafted to mimic nature. The "Earthquake Proof Table" or "EPT" is a steel and birch wood table which is designed to withstand falling objects weighing over 1 metric ton. Each table is engineered to ensure the safety of children that would hide underneath during an earthquake, with its weight resistance its feature. The table looks very unique and could stand on its own as a work of art because of its v-shaped truss and thin armature supporting the sides. This table is very ergonomic because it provides a solution to a dangerous and potentially fatal situation, solving a basic human factor of life. Both of these designs seek to solve an essentially human problem or need, electricity and survival. They also both incorporate their solutions in an elegant way, provoking an aesthetic emotion.

                The two pieces I chose to illustrate "low functionality" were Keita Takahashi's video game "Katamari Damacy" and Gae Aulenti's "Table with Wheels (Model 2652)". I chose both of these pieces because they illustrate either a lack of aesthetic thought or human functionality. "Katamari Damacy" is a video game which incorporates well designed game elements and mechanics, brightly colored objects, places, people. The game combines it with a creative objective, to roll up all the objects in sight into a ball. These well designed elements fit together to make a highly enjoyable game, however they serve no essential purpose that would benefit mankind nor do they provide a solution to any human problem. The only way I could see this video game becoming more ergonomic, is if the essential idea and mechanics of the game were adapted into teaching or some kind of disability therapy. "Table with Wheels" is a glass table with four metal and rubber swivel wheels that looks like a furniture dolly. In my opinion this 'table' does not demonstrate an aesthetic vision nor does it serve any particular function. Because this object's surface is made out of fragile glass, it will not be practical for transporting furniture and therefore could not serve any other function. If I could make this design more ergonomic I would use a more resilient material and somehow redesign the wheels into a more aesthetically pleasing shape or structure.

                In my opinion the essential aspect of design is that it has an aesthetic quality that separates it from the perhaps countless iterations of that object in the world. A highly functional design is one that intelligently interacts with the 'human condition' in a way that solves problems or provides for a need. The artistic elements of design can be separated from the desired function or solution, yet a truly great design would be able to creatively provide solutions and do so in an artistic way. In my view this fine line between aesthetic and function is where design resides, sometimes incorporating one or the other or both or none at all.

Sources:

Ido Bruno, Arthur Brutter

"EPT - Earthquake Proof Table"

2010 

Steel and birch plywood

28 3/8 x 47 1/4 x 23 5/8" 

Keita Takahashi 

"Katamari Damacy"

2003

Video game software

Gae Aulenti

"Table with Wheels (model 2652)"

1980

Glass, Metal, and Rubber

11 1/4 H x 27 1/2 W x 54 5/8" L

Samuel Cabot Cochran, Benjamin Wheeler Howes & SMIT - Sustainably Minded Interactive Technology, LLC

"GROW" 

2005

Thin film photovoltaics, piezoelectric generators, screen printed conductive ink encapsulated in ETFE fluoropolymer lamination, stainless steel, nylon, neoprene rubber, copper wire, and aluminum

16' x 8'