In David Raizman’s history of modern design ‘The first Machine Age in Europe’, Hannes Meyer argued that design is a product of ‘function x-economy’. Aligning design with a scientific model driven by new technology and manufacturing potential suggests that we need an equation to design functionally. Without an equation design is not rational and therefore not accurate. Function x-economy created design to be less ornamented and more organised. Design was made more efficient by reducing labour, time and money spent. I think that design has become more practical universally because of this change. In the lecture on slide 21 (technology and progress in the kitchen 1920)
we see that by making a path /equation, a supplementary functional output is gained. Design today as well as centuries before is based around the needs and wants of people. Designers work to understand and provide. Most design has a function, be it a chair which we sit on or a painting that is simply visually pleasing. Design as an art creates an aura while design as a science creates function; I think that both these aspects are what define design of today
Walter Gropius fugas shoe factory 1911-1913.
The image above of Walter’s shoe factory illustrates how the design is appropriate to the function of this factory. This emphasises how function x-economy has developed design to be functional.
In Raizman’s history of modern design (page 9) El Lissitsky said: “The new art is formed, not on a subjective, but on an objective basis. This, like science, can be described with precision and is by nature constructive. It unites not only pure art but all those who stand at the frontier of the new culture. The artist is companion to the scholar, the engineer and the worker.” With reference to this quote I think that design today should be both art and science. I think that when design is both we are able to be one and therefore prevent the classing of people.
Benjamin, W. (1992). The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction (pp. 211-244 ) in Illuminations, trans. Harry Zohn. London: Fontana.
Petty, M, M.( 2011), Lecture 6 Modern Vision, Victoria University ,Te aro Campus
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