Three Approaches to Design*
1:
The one that solves problems
1:
The one that solves problems
This type of an approach is often seen in environments that can be called - functionalists. It is repeatedly associated with Modernism, which has a larger and more deeper context, than pure function. These solutions "work". What might seem like a good solution for places such as Hospitals, where even a small functional consideration can save someone's life, it is often applied to all other aspects of our lives, from food to furniture. It attaches itself closely with the business objectives of cost effectiveness, durability and low maintenance.
There are things to be learnt from the functionalists, mainly their amazing sense of practicality.
2:
2:
The one that solve problems beautifully
A common pitfall for the functionalist based design is that it attaches itself entirely to business needs and business requirements. It can be unappealing, to most eyes at least, and it leaves one without a sense of satisfaction. As a result, there are those who believe in the "form follows function" approach where visual aesthetics have a part to play in the solution, and is considered important, but not necessary. Designers work within the constraints set by business, which mostly means "cost effectiveness", yet deliver results that are beautiful to look at. This kind of an approach might mean at its worst, "beautification" of something that is already built, or at its best, presenting concepts to the marketing and business leaders (and in turn developers and engineers) towards creating something that results in beautiful execution. There are times when the designers have the last say in the final out come.
This is not to say that there aren't many beautiful, functional design solutions out there. There are. You will find that these solutions have a long standing "brand loyalty" associated with them. I don't need to name the brands, you know it.
There is something about working in constrains that has its own appeal. It is to work within a given framework and deliver exceptional results is what most of us strive for. But the results often last for a short duration, until some thing more beautiful comes along. New technologies are creating room for a lot more flexibility than before and much remains to be explored.
3:
The one that give meaningful experience to everyday life
This is what painting, music, poetry, literature, sculpture, dance, does to our lives. It gives meaning. It makes us stop and take notice. It reminds us of a deeper beauty that lies in the human experience. It is what separates true masters from the rest.
The masters are often well known in their fields. Their work stand the test of time. Their books are part of people's personal libraries. Their work has a sense of timelessness and one never gets bored of it because it completes our experience with it. They evoke our senses, and we never return unsatisfied.
This is not to say that there aren't many beautiful, functional design solutions out there. There are. You will find that these solutions have a long standing "brand loyalty" associated with them. I don't need to name the brands, you know it.
There is something about working in constrains that has its own appeal. It is to work within a given framework and deliver exceptional results is what most of us strive for. But the results often last for a short duration, until some thing more beautiful comes along. New technologies are creating room for a lot more flexibility than before and much remains to be explored.
3:
The one that give meaningful experience to everyday life
This is what painting, music, poetry, literature, sculpture, dance, does to our lives. It gives meaning. It makes us stop and take notice. It reminds us of a deeper beauty that lies in the human experience. It is what separates true masters from the rest.
The masters are often well known in their fields. Their work stand the test of time. Their books are part of people's personal libraries. Their work has a sense of timelessness and one never gets bored of it because it completes our experience with it. They evoke our senses, and we never return unsatisfied.
Can design deliver a complete, satisfying experience? Or is it only the virtue of the arts?
As Charles Eames said, "The design is the expression of the purpose. It may (if it is good enough) later be judged as art."
Perhaps when the purpose is not based on the profitability of a given business alone, but instead based upon human experience, we may be able to create work of lasting value. Perhaps its time now to look again, with new eyes, at the the visual arts and crafts of the world both past and present, and find out for ourselves, what it really means to complete the human experience in everyday life.
* DISCLAIMER:
These approaches are not part of some academic 'Design Theory' as such. They are also not something that is agreed upon by everyone in the design industry, although most designers work in these three areas knowingly or unknowingly. These are only my (novice) observations and should be treated as such.
This is also not an attempt to make scientific classifications, and it's intention is not to put designers in appropriate "boxes" based on what they do, so that we can all sit back and make sense of the world. No. It is quiet the contrary.
By becoming aware of these three approaches, and by looking at them calmly and objectively, I wanted to gain a deeper, and clearer understanding of the place a designer (of myself) in the world.
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