Design Function

What is the purpose of design? When we stop to answer this question, we will find that our reasons for designing are much more practical that they are creative. Buildings, furniture, appliances and clothing all serve a purpose that is more than to be merely an aesthetic pleasure. Buildings and garments are constructed, first and foremost, to protect from the elements; to create a comfortable and stable environment from which to look out at the world and experience its beauty from a separated view. Furniture and appliances are designed around their specific

functions, with different variations to compensate for special needs.

If the functional designs in society need only be as basic as needed to serve its purpose, why do we add and embellish and tweak? The little changes and additions that we make to our

most basic designs are those aspects which end up standing out the most, distinguishing one design from the rest. It is the differences that we notice because we, as humans, are more than a

basic mind looking only for function; humans have much more complex emotion and detail. It is this human trait that drives design to exist, to constantly transform and evolve to fit the

different personalities of each person.

Underneath It All

When people view design, they view function. It is the end-product which is seen by the world, the end-product and its function which citizens pass judgement on. Whether it is the efficiency of some kind of kitchen appliance or the beauty of a painting, the viewer is only able to judge the surface, the final result. This one-way view into design is somewhat unfortunate; it robs the viewer of the true feeling and process that went into the design that they must judge on its superficial qualities.

Why, then, is it uncommon for a designer to present his/her work in a way that allows their viewers to see the inspiration and understanding of a design? Some will say that design, as a process is more important that the resulting design itself. Therefore the process must be much more complicated to understand than the end-product. The process of design, as experienced by a designer rather than a viewer, is intricate and extremely emotional. Inspiration and idea come naturally from anything and everything, flowing straight from emotion into a structured design. However, this raw, natural emotion is almost always edited nearly beyond recognition. The designer covers up the initial feeling and inspiration in order to create a presentable design that will be relatable to viewers.

Because design involves such powerful inspiration and raw emotion, the initial process is often covered up by the designer and the resulting design is presented in an edited state, rather than a natural one. However, for some reason, this editing allows viewers to experience design without too much complication; their reaction to the design is nothing near to the emotion felt by the designer, yet it is easier and simpler to understand, and so the representation of design is misguided. The designer can only know the true, overwhelming feeling put into his/her design.

Apple, inc.

Apple is one of the most successful modern corporations that lives and breathes design. Steve Jobs' iPod started a craze which has spanned generational gaps, bringing music and sleek design to all ages in all parts of the world. Part of the lure of Apple is the way that it is portrayed; as a simple, but bold design. iPod advertisements are traditionally composed of a dark silhouette dancing to the up-beat music of their iPod in front of a brightly colored background. The simplicity of these advertisements allows Apple to connect with their consumers because it does not overload the senses, or push the product too much. Modern advertising is done in many ways, with numerous techniques used by corporations to attract consumers to their product or service. The success of these very minimized and simple iPod ads shows that the consumer is more affected by one quick "wow," rather than a sensory overload of confusion and propaganda.

By using a silhouette, Apple allows the viewer to become a part of the advertisement; that black shadow of a person could easily be you, or someone you know. This lack of detail opens up the advertisement, helping the consumer to relate to the product and feel comfortable or excited by its representation. The use of a bright background also draws the consumer in, simply by catching the eye and adding a sense of liveliness to the product. Finally, the iPod itself draws the viewer in, but not by being loud and intrusive. Rather, focus is drawn away from the actual iPod, subtlely ingraining it in the minds of consumers without being annoying.

The simplicity of Apple’s iPod commercials is a well-thought out design which has reaped its reward in the mass consumption of the sleek mp3 player. Apple’s success is due, in great part, to the success of its advertisements; proving that understatement and simplicity are the key to keeping consumers interested.

The Emotion in Music

Many designers will say that they pull inspiration from music, or that a song will represent the meaning of a design. Music is only able to inspire designers of other mediums through the emotions it represents. A song can be composed in any genre with any instrument and always have an emotional meaning. Music is as close as humans can get to listening to the true feelings of a soul, and it is this auditory experience which is so important to musicians. To a musician, music is much more than an aesthetic entertainment, it is his/her heart and soul. The delicacy and care taken to create a musical piece is fueled by overwhelming emotion which works its way out of the artist, inspiring them to become a musician.

"Design in Society merely exists to express natural human ideas and emotions," and it is the existence of these raw emotions which inspires musicians to create such an expression of the feelings from within and around them (Barry Green). When a musician experiences emotion strong enough to invoke an inspiration, it can be molded into a message (through instrument and sound) which easily goes on to invoke emotion in others, and, in turn, inspire listeners. The powerful emotion experienced in music is in fact a representation of an emotion strong enough to inspire.

Understanding Design

In Understanding Comics, Scott McCloud goes through and picks apart "comics," helping his reader to really understand inside and out, how he sees comics. McCloud's first chapter is dedicated to the mere definition of comics; defining them and setting them apart from other forms of art and design. His book goes through and categorizes different parts of "comics," labeling and defining every aspect so that the reader can fully understand what exactly is put into "comics." Why do we need these aspects of "comic" design spelled out for us in a set of rules for comic classification? The reader does not need to know the breakdown of "comics," rather, that breakdown can interfere with the real effect of the art. It should not be the viewer's job to understand the process of design, but the designer's job to know so well that the presentation is seamless, unified, with tho visible breakdown.

Design exists in our society, there is no doubt that it is essential to our way of living. Design continues to exist whether it is acknowledged by the majority of its viewers or not. In fact, design is often overlooked, yet that does not cause it to cease to exist. Readers around the world appreciate comics without understanding them the way McCloud presents "comics." Designs function in society without being appreciated for the process and innovation that they are, and, indeed, it would be less efficient if the general population recognized and understood everything about design. Part of the quality of a design comes from its ability to function without being fiddled with or monitored, its ability to appear natural and effortless. In order to accomplish this seamlessness in function, a design cannot be analyzed and held to certain rules, otherwise no one would ever be satisfied with the design of the design itself! Design should instead, flow naturally without apparent rule or reason, and integrate itself into its habitat easily and unhindered.

LOVEVOLUTION

Fashions have constantly evolved as social norms fluctuated, even today when the norm is to accept the abnormal. San Francisco's annual Lovevolution parade attracts citizens of all extremes, inviting them to come from all over to participate in a parade of acceptance, love, and wild fun. Men and women show up dressed in bright colors, metallic spandex, fur, lace, feathers, paint, fishnets, stickers, and sometimes, a lack of clothing. The participants of the Lovevolution parade aren't merely crazy, however; they are the normally-functioning men and women of society who have a desire to express the raw, amplified emotions they feel, releasing them from their normal, subdued state.

The otherwise-normal participants in the Lovevolution parade become eccentric, loud, and raucous when the time comes to let loose, and their shocking costumes are essential to their expression of emotions. The freedom to dress so oddly and over-the-top is the greatest way to establish the freedom of ones own personality and feelings. Fringe, sparkle, spandex, and color show off the lighthearted and worry-free atmosphere of the parade. Men and women come together in their eccentric costumes to be a part of the release of worry and stress, to participate in a carefree, peace-loving, and fun event. Nobody worries that they look strange or bad, the Lovevolution parade inspires unity, love, and peace. Nudity, a common occurrence at the parade, gives the opportunity to be completely free and honest in front of the accepting crowds. To participate in such a unified event, to dress (or not dress) as if nobody cares is the freedom to be ones true self, presented in the most bare and honest ways. The colors and crazy attachments to outfits are the every-day emotions expressed and multiplied beyond the normal; the quirky designs at the Lovevolution parade are merely the outlet for the subdued emotions of the masses.

Hangul 10.05.09

The first thing that comes to mind at the Hangul exhibit is the word "modern." There is this category called modern art which supposedly portrays abstract ideas about the future of society. Interestingly enough, the designs which are seen as "modern," and therefore follow the aesthetic of the future, are actually the leaders into this futuristic world in which design values lines, symmetry, precision, and boldness the most.

The first image seen in the Hangul exhibit is an octogon containing colorful wheels of the Korean language. This image strikes me with its perfect dimensions, but also with its bold, off-centered statement. The perfect lines and flawless circles in this design bring the future to mind; it is a product of the refining and revising that has been put into societies institutions, in an attempt to create a near-perfect world. Medicine is refined into exact measurements and causes, so as to prolong life. Entertainment technology has reached lightspeed, bringing whatever one wants to them immediately, via a cell-phone sized device, no less. Education has been revamped time and time again to produce the highest test scores, the most homogenous minds possible. Society has been cut into little squares, different portions of life; and all of its problems have been fixed or nearly done away with, all due to people following the straight lines, the rules and propaganda telling them that to live this way is better.

At the same time, however, that the lines and dimensions of this piece invoke thoughts of a conflict and passion-free future, the colored circles are bold in their placement to the side. The colors do not make me think of the past, or of the future, but of the here and now, and of everything surrounding it. The bright pinks, greens, yellows, and reds are unplanned emotions, unregulated thoughts. The off-center circles also indicate a breaking of the rules and the symmetry of the perfect future society. This element of passion or rebellion introduces a contrast to the perfect lines surrounding it; representing the always-present human emotions which are natural, quick to manifest, and cannot be tied down.

The perfect dimensions of this Hangul design, when accompanied by its passionate colors and tweaked placement, presents the conflict arising in society's modernization. The lines represent the perfected side of society which creates a homogenous, fair, environment for everyone. In contrast, the colors remind us of the human nature to feel and be passionate in a unique way; our inability to be rigid and uniform after all. Is this what the future is moving towards? A contrast between standard of living and individuality? The Hangul exhibit portrayed many images of this conflict, showing that there is, indeed, a tug-of-war between the regular and the natural.