And here it is...
Understanding Design Methodologies
Think about what goes on in your head when you buy something new, take a photo of your favorite designed object and answer the following questions:
Why is it that we want our belongings to do more for us than to function well?
Why are we willing, as soon as we can afford it, to pay extra for things with appealing forms?
You should post the photo as well as answer the questions.
Green is now officially assignment colour, so you'll know what's coming if you see it splashed around. =]
And guess what? The finished Assignment! Is
Understanding Design Methodologies.
Why is it that we want our belongings to do more for us than to function well?
The answer to this question can differ for each individual person. It is personal preference that defines what a person wants from design, and documenting a definition of why we have personal preference is a task I shall leave to the Psychology students of NTU. However, what I will do is provide examples. The best example I can think of to argue “Form over Functionality” is fashion. The fashion industry seemingly despises functionality, and concentrates everything on the aesthetic form. This seems a ludicrous rationale, backed by this rather convenient quote: "To call a fashion wearable is the kiss of death. No new fashion worth its salt is wearable." [Eugenia Sheppard, "New York Herald Tribune," Jan. 13, 1960]. To discern for myself why aesthetic should come before functionality, I grilled one of my flatmates, who I would consider fashionable, with this situation...
“You have a choice of two overcoats. One is the most comfortable, well insulated coat in existence, the other is made of a thin material that does nothing to protect from the weather. However, the first coat is only available in day-glow pink and green checkers, the latter is a catwalk piece. The second coat is considerably more expensive than the first. Which would you have?”
Her answer? The latter item. When asked why, she answered “It’s all about looking good.” This simple statement displays the link between design and social convention and attitude. Therefore, I suggest that we want our belongings to do more for us than function well because of social convention and human nature. The majority of us want to be the best and have the best material possessions to prove it, and designers understand and cater for this.
Why are we willing, as soon as we can afford it, to pay extra for things with appealing forms?
And this is where my photographs come into play...
Here we have two objects... They both have a basic function; sit around looking interesting. Both also can be used to prop up books, games, etc or can be thrown at annoying housemates. I personally prefer the more expensive skull. The reason why is because I feel it has more character, and represents me better than the oversized, novelty die. (For those of you who think “dice” is the singular, think again! Mwahahaha!) So, the simple answer to why we buy more expensive things is because of personal preference. Because we like the more expensive object more than a cheaper alternative.
So, there it is, assignment number 2. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed fiddling with the formatting.
Farewell, until next time.
- tom_349
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