Design in Our Lives

            The art of Design is a subjective field in terms of functionality. There are objects that have a high functionality and objects that have a low functionality. An object that has a high functionality would be useful and practical to everyday living. An object that has a low functionality would be aesthetically pleasing, however it wouldn’t be ranked high in terms of necessity.

            An object that has a high functionality would be the “Think Pad 701 Portable Computer.” In the 21^st Century, computers are considered to be an integral part of our everyday lives in America. Most Americans use computers everyday to fulfill their job requirements, school obligations, and it serves as a tool of communication. This specific object has now advanced to meet new technological services, so the functionality increased. Another object that has a high functionality would be the “Radio (Model TS 502).” Radios are also considered important since most Americans listen to radios while driving in their cars everyday. Radios have also advanced as a tool since we can now listen to it via satellite and listen to many more radio stations as opposed to what was available in the past. Technology advances annually so the functionality increases. For example, Apple products have changed the entire field of technological design with current models of new touch screen devices. We can better utilize computers and radios with these new models than what would have been possible even fifteen years ago.

            An object that has a low functionality would be a “Vase.” Although a glass vase may be aesthetically pleasing, some people might not consider it necessary if they don’t want to incorporate the object into the interior design of their home. Another object that has a low functionality would be a “Coffee Service.” Some people might want to add it to their kitchen for aesthetic emphasis, but it wouldn’t be considered necessary. Vases and coffee services are added into homes to complete an interior design motif whether the design is vintage, or classic, or modern. Some people might even consider these objects as junk therefore ranking them as having a low functionality.

            The ergonomics, or functionality of these designs, could be altered. Since technology is continually advancing, the functionality of computers and radios are being used more. It’s the job of the designer to update the ergonomics of these technologies. As for the objects of low functionality, the ergonomics could be changed as well. Vases and coffee services could serve as being multi-functional. Vases could be used as a vessel for a menagerie of different objects such as seashells or pebbles. A coffee service could be used a vessel to hold flowers or other plants.

            For an object to be considered as a “good design,” it will need to have some form of a high functionality. If an object weren’t being utilized, it would be considered as wasteful. Also, if it isn’t being used, then it will be forgotten. The purpose of a design is to have some functionality.

Artworks:

Sam Lucente, Richard Sapper, Robert P. Tennant

“Think Pad 701 Portable Computer”

Plastic casing

1995

Marco Zanuso and Richard Sapper

“Radio (Model TS 502)”

ABS and aluminum

1963

Louis Comfort Tiffany

“Vase”

Favrile glass

1900

Paul Haustein

“Coffee Service”

Pewter-silver alloy

1904

Art and Identity: The Museum of Modern Art

Identity can be found in most pieces of art, more specifically within the ideas of individual, cultural, and historical themes.

The first piece I found reflects cultural identity. Andrea Zittel made a series of drawings titled “sfnwvlei (something for nothing with very little effort involved) series #1-6.” Zittel created six different drawings to represent one idea. She wrote under one of the drawings, “I like the fact that I can make something out of nothing… and in this case it is even better because I am turning something with negative value (my hand) into something with positive value.” In the montage of drawings, the girl is holding what I believe to be dirt in her hands, which is then transferred onto a tray. I think the girl in the drawing is making a contribution to society, to what looks like farmland in the background. Therefore, she is using her hands to create something out of nothing, which could possibly serve as fulfilling a goal to her community with that contribution.

The second piece I found reflects individual identity. The piece created by Charles White, is titled “Solid as a Rock (My God is Rock).” In the piece, the man is standing alone and has a certain firmness in his presence. The man is wearing a robe, which some religious people are known to wear. I think this piece falls under personal identity on account of its reference to God. People often relate spiritual experiences to personal revelations, and on a larger scale individual identity.

The third piece I found reflects historical identity. Jasper Johns created a screenprint titled “Flags.” It’s a print of the American flag duplicated, standing side by side. It has a historical significance since the American flag plays an important part of the country’s journey to independence and the values it holds today. The flags on the print appear to have some wear to it, as if by extension America experienced some hardship. The flag holds a sense of patriotism in times of war, and also represent the difficulties Americans endured.

Individual, cultural, and historical identities each have a specific message the artists try to portray through their work. Zittel shows that community involvement doesn’t have to be complicated since anyone can turn nothing into something. White shows that there can be a sense of stability and serenity in having God as their rock. Johns shows that pride for the country lies in the American flag. Comparatively, they all have have a message that people can look beyond their own personal needs for something more fulfilling and worthwhile. 

Andrea Zittel

“sfnwvlei (something for nothing with very little effort involved) studies #1-6”

Gouache, felt-tip pen, colored pencil, and pencil on paper

2002

Charles White

“Solid as a Rock (My God is Rock)”

Linoleum cut

1958

Jasper Johns

“Flags”

Screenprint

1973