Do you think design theory and critical thinking is relevant to design? Why?
Every practical activity needs to be underpinned by theory. Design consists of many aspects. Design theory is also a basis for the design itself. That is why design theory and critical thinking is relevant to design.
First, design theory is a core amount of knowledge that piled for many centuries. The views and visions of hundreds of styles and stories, the experience of thousands of masters were put together for the next generations to evaluate, think and create something new. It is worth to say that design is a sum of talent, personal vision, and theory of current style and the knowledge of history of design.
What is more, critical view is also necessary to create something significant. The knowledge of the theory is crucial, but it is worth to evaluate critically what can serve for the next work, what is a good experience and what means previously used may be integrated. Critical thinking must be implemented to analyze the practical and final qualities of the thing designed. It is necessary to thing whether the designed object will be easy and pleasant to use, what are the possible ways to avoid waists and to make the object attractive to the consumer. A good design must be born from the long evaluative considerations and critical overview. In this case, the theory of design may come in use to show the possible ways of decision-making.
All in all, both theory of design and critical evaluation are relevant to the design itself. The theory of design is a basis for the project and it may be used to choose means, style elements and it is a knowledge database, the field which must be combined with talent. The other thing to be used is critical thinking. That must be used to see the through the prospective of time and space and choose the best to be implemented into the project.
Give an example of an intentionally designed project that suggests evidence of critical thinking and application of theoretical design practice.
It is evident that to create something significant, it is necessary to implement design theory and critical thinking both. It’s not enough just to be talented to make a great design. Theory will give the knowledge of process in general, style orients and general direction features. Critical thinking will let evaluate the process itself, timelines, tools to be used for easier, better and more appropriate result. Google’s offices are created all over the world to be an incarnation of good design, comfort and significant style. To create such projects, it is necessary both to implement the theoretical views of design, and critically evaluate all the current projects to take the best features and compile them all together into such a great things.
Critical thinking helps to choose the means for the work to be fast, successful and significant. It is worth to think well what elements should be used, and which one should not. It is crucial to be on time with project, to make it cost effective and to have a great design. Every project of Google office is critically evaluated based on experience and current trends to choose components that will make perfect design and be effective means.
So, the various projects of Google offices are the combination of critical evaluation of modern trends and theoretical database of experience in design.
Through a careful look at the content, choose a Bauhaus member that you identify with or admire. Explain why and be specific.
The Bauhaus style was an ancestor of the modern styles and it still stays significant in almost hundred years of existence. Looking at the projects that were made by the artists and designers of the movement, I admire the most works of Marcel Breuer, a Hungarian-born architect of modernism. I believe that his projects are the combination of both critical thinking, and mix of modern and past experience. As an example, his project of Wassily chair may be considered.
For the lots of decades the design of the Breuer made a ground for current modern trends. The source of inspiration for the designer was a bicycle, made from the same material. His table, model B19 also shows the combination of comfort, modern trends and effective use of materials.
Breuer used the philosophy of the designers of Bauhaus. The things he created looked simple, but still they looked nice and were easy in usage and storage. Wooden furniture became classics by that time; it looked more prestigious, but was faster to spoil. His style was a mix of critical evaluation of previous experience and modern needs of society. Of course, Breuer became an author of lots of projects and inspiration for next generations of designers. Houses in Wiesbaden and Zurich were built by his projects. After Hitler came to power the architect, as a Jew, emigrated to London and the USA. Impressed by the work of British modernists Breuer created "long chair" made of plywood.
In 1941, Breuer created his own office, having been engaged mainly in designing houses. Among his innovations of this period was "dual-House" (with separate wings for the bedrooms and the other rooms) and "butterfly roof". In 1953, the architect won the competition for designing the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, which became a milestone in the development of brutalism. In the 1960s and 1970s, Breuer continued construction of large buildings made of reinforced concrete, steel building his masterpieces of the Museum of American Art in New York (1966) and AT Tower skyscraper in Cleveland (1971).
Considering his achievements and influence, Marcel Breuer is one of my favorite designers of the previous century. His works are unusual, and they combine the best traditions and trends of previous and current experience, they are brand new and fresh and represent the spirit of new age.
Works Cited
Bradley, Steven. "Become A Better Designer Through Critical Thinking - Vanseo Design". Vanseo Design. N.p., 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
Dunne, Carey. "8 Of Google's Craziest Offices". Co.Design. N.p., 2014. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
Moma.org,. "Moma - Explore Bauhaus". N.p., 2016. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
The Art Story,. "Bauhaus Movement, Artists And Major Works". N.p., 2016. Web. 10 Feb. 2016.
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