Design is the Problem

On November 18, 2009, Nathan Shedroff, an entrepreneur, designer and author, presented Design is the Problem in which he explored the roles and interactions of design, sustainability and business within modern society. Most importantly, however, he offered means of communication which encourages the crucial collaboration between these groups.

Nathan Shedroff presents the idea that design must be usable, accessible and meaningful to be successful within society. Further, he places great importance on the idea behind sustainability in design as means of securing a healthy future. Though, by nature, design cannot be sustainable as it relies on the use of materials, it can become more sustainable.

He points to methods such as dematerialization, substitution and localization as means of managing and limiting design's negative effects on the environment. Further design must be durable, reusable and able to dissemble in order to cut down on materials. It is this efficiency and responsibility of resources which will enable design to reach a state of higher sustainability in hopes of not only limiting the destruction of the environment but also eventually restoring it. Further, it is not purely the form which he places importance on, but also content which should serve the people and meet their needs and expectations.

Designer: David Carson

David Carson has influenced graphic design through innovative typography and experimental design. It is through his use of technology that he creates expressive layouts while still maintaining the human emotional aspects of art. David Carson’s pieces are unique and memorable because he has included his own personal experiences and viewpoints in his design. His work displays a strong consideration towards the emotional response which a project may receive while he is also very aware of the details of his surroundings through an exploration of color, texture and other mediums of art. In his work he has taken typography, something which is often ignored, and elevated it into a piece of art which carries a powerful and emotional message. His use of typography greatly strengthens his conceptual ideas which reflect his awareness of art's global impact. His pieces reflect his awareness of the political, social and cultural setting in which his projects exist. One of his pieces which I found most interesting was The Book of Probes, in which he explores and interprets comments towards communication, media and information. His influence is also evident in his Grunge type which has been widely imitated.

For more information regarding David Carson, his work and his approach in design, his TED Talks segment is a helpful resource which is well worth watching.

Objectified

Objectified, Gary Hustwit's most recent film focuses on the interactions between manufactured objects and people within a society. This feature-length documentary presents great insight into the interaction of content and form as illustrated by the objects which people interact with in their daily lives.

Successful design relies on an understanding of people and their needs. While the form may be abstract, it still must have a function and purpose which will benefit individuals or the society. Though humans demand that an object serves their needs, there is also an emotional relationship between people and their objects. The film presents the idea behind the "emotional authenticity of objects" as exemplified by the way in which humans have a tendency to see faces in the design of the front of their cars. The car is interpreted as an avatar, a means of creating an image for an audience and thus, a car reflects an individual's impression of themselves. It is this emotional and functional relationship between people and their objects which is truly highlighted in this film.

In addition there is also a great sense of social responsibility in response to the demand for sustainability. By nature, design is always changing to meet the needs of the present and anticipate what is next. This constant replacement of previous versions only leads to more and more objects ending up in the landfills. It is crucial then that designers discover means of recycling materials, reducing waste and creating objects with consideration to the future of the planet. Thus, the content of a piece is expected to meet the needs of individuals while the form must reflect responsibility to humanity and the environment as a whole.

Representations of Woman in Art

In analyzing art history, it is clear that visual images are often used as means of defining a cultural or personal identity for better or for worse. For example, in times of war or in military cultures, art acts as means of presenting a very powerful and intimidating illusion of ones culture. On the other hand however, it has also been used to create deceptive images of different cultures or genders.

Women have become a common subject in a number of mediums of art and have been illustrated in a number of ways as determined by the artist, the era and the client of the piece. For example, Titian's Venus of Urbino and Frida Kahlo's Self Portrait, reveal greatly contrasting images of woman and their role in society.

Titian's Venus of Urbino displays a fair, innocent and helpless woman as she lays on her soft bed, naked, waiting for another to prepare her clothing for her. She is revealed as an icon of beauty and passivity. She is man's image of a perfect woman and a role model for every woman to look up to. It is this piece which reflects or defines social expectations which were placed on women during the 1500's. Sleeping Venus by Giorgione, is considered one of the first female reclining nudes of European history. This image reveals a greater sense of the passivity of woman as the subject is displayed peacefully sleeping in an idealized environment, unaware of the viewer watching her. As her body mimics the curves of the land, comparisons between nature and femininity arise. Similarity, some may argue that this presents the idea that just as man can tame nature through agriculture, man can also control women.

These earlier deceiving images greatly contrast that of Frida Kahlo who illustrates herself in a realistic style as a strong, active, and emotional being who is immersed in untamed nature. Unfortunately, women are still objectified through poor social expectations by the media today. Groups such as the Gorilla Girls, for example, have developed in hopes of fighting these inequalities within culture as displayed by art.

Helvetica

Typography is a crucial element of successful design which rarely receives the recognition which it deserves. Gary Hustwit's film however, presents a strong understanding of the importance of typography and the ways in which it functions within society. This feature-length independent film focuses on Helvetica, a well known and commonly used font which was developed by Max Miedinger with Edüard Hoffmann in 1957. It is this font which is revealed at the center of design, advertising, psychology and communication.

Helvetica, a documentary by Gary Hustwit made in 2007, presents an interesting insight into global visual culture and offers various perspectives through the words of innovative and influential figures from the graphic design industry. Massimo Vignelli, Paula Scher, Davis Carson and Stefan Sagmeister and just a few of the designers which arise in this documentary to offer a greater understanding of typography's role in society and their views behind the creative process and aesthetics.

One of the most striking messages of this film is the fact that typography, or rather design, is greatly integrated into the daily lives of individuals of the modern society. Further, design can be most successful when it does not receive attention but rather becomes intuitive as it allows us to navigate our environment. Design is presented as an element of our environment which is dynamic and always changing and adapting with society.

Bauhaus

The Bauhaus movement is a highly influential movement of modern design which took place in Germany from 1919 till 1933 when the school was closed by the Nazi regime. Greatly impacted by the First World War, the Bauhaus movement presented a new aesthetic in response to social change. The movement encouraged artists to discover and act upon their social responsibility to the community following the devastation of the war, and in return hoped that the community would accept and support the artists.

This new approach incorporated design, craftsmanship and machine technology as means of reaching a pure or simplified form without ornamentation, therefore, artists rejected minor details and decorative elements and placed more importance on the elegance of form. The Bauhaus movement illustrates straight edges, clean lines and slim forms all of which create a fresh style of design. Its influences can be found in a range of design and architecture including typography, graphic design, interior design, and industrial design. It is through the collaboration of artists from a variety of fields that the Bauhaus movement developed such impressive influence.

Pieces of the Bauhaus movement are currently on display at the MoMA in New York. The exhibition, titled, Bauhaus 1919-1933: Workshops for Modernity, is being held November 8, 2009 through January 25, 2010.

This exhibition will have a number of pieces on display which greatly exemplify the movement including, Marcel Breuer’s Wassily Chair. Marcel Breuer, considered one of the masters of modern design, reveals a great interest in modular design and simplified form as exemplified by this piece's clean construction and a strong yet simple use of color and materials.

The works of the Bauhaus movement reflect a simple aesthetic as well as a great sense of social responsibility as designers came to understand their artwork's role in society.

African American Quilts

The pattern and rhythm of a piece reveal a great deal of the tone and attitude of a piece. The piece shown above, titled Sharecropper's Masterpiece is a great example of the influences that these two elements can have towards the overall emotion of the work and how the audience interprets the artwork.

The Richard L. Nelson Gallery and Fine Art Collection at UC Davis has an impressive display of these colorful and vivid African American quilts which display much of the culture through practical reuse of fabric.

The Sharecropper's Masterpiece, for example, displays vitality and passion through the repetition of bright and powerful strips of color. This pattern, consisting of both warm and cool colors, develops a lively rhythm. Though pattern may become repetitive, the variation of color and the lack of consistency in the strip's thickness develops a very spirited and interesting image and sense of the fabric weaving in and out.

Not only is this work powerful, it is also practical as it recycles scraps of fabric and makes it into something new and exciting to contribute to the society. Most importantly, each quilt reveals great influence by the culture.

If you would like to see these pieces yourself, the collection of African American Quilts will be available September 24 - December 13, 2009, the Reception October 1, 5:30-7:30 pm