'DESIGN IN A NUTSHELL'

One of the many tasks were given as part of our reading week, was to watch the six short episodes of the series 'Design in A Nutshell'.

 

Each individual episode was focused upon a different aspect of design throughout history.

 

1. Gothic Revival 

2. Arts and Crafts

3. Bauhaus

4. Modernism

5. American Industrial Design

6. Postmodernism

 

The episode that I found most interesting was episode six: 'Postmodernism'.

 

Postmodernism is a late 20th century movement. Postmodernists believe that the previous design movement, Modernism, was a failure. Postmodernists hold that we need as many references as possible to make our own subjective conclusion, rather than simply one. There is a emphasis upon creative expression, rather than just designing for a functional purpose.

However many criticise Postmodernism for:

1. The unnecessary need for decoration and ornamentation.
2. The tendency to recycle the past to make something new.
3. Inappropriate and pointless ideas, with little to no functionality.

Here are some examples of Postmodernism today:

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY

Often tongue in cheek, covering a range of styles in art from throughout history.

1. CINDY SHERMAN

'Untitled Film Still #30'

'Untitled Film Still #40'

2. BANKSY

'Mobile Lovers'

'Slave Labour'

3. JEFF KOONS

'Balloon Dogs'

'Puppy'

ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN

1. PORTLAND BUILDING (By Michael Groves - 1982)

2. PROUST CHAIR (By Alessandro Mendini - 1978)

3. PIAZZA D'ITALIA (By Charles Moore - 1978)

ICONS

1. LADY GAGA

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the six episodes of 'Design in A Nutshell'. It's surprisingly how much you can learn in just two minutes!

Watch 'Design in A Nutshell' here:
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/engineering-and-technology/design-and-innovation/design/design-nutshell

Thankyou for reading!

- A