BEAUTY + UTILITY

What did Jones mean? Do you agree or

disagree? Discuss in relation to an example of

either ‘construction decorated’ or ‘decoration

constructed’.

Owen Jones had a very strong opinion on the structure, form and function of objects. He believed that the ornamentation should not affect the function of the object. I agree with Jones because I to believe that form should come secondary to function. For example the ‘Candelabra Paris, 1734” ‘is an example of ‘decoration constructed’ because it shows how the designer has thought to make something rich and glamorous before thinking to make it practical and functional. The candle should look sturdy and true instead it is curvaceous and warped. Also the form of a flower does not a relevant representation of the object. 

ORNAMENT OR NATURE

Adolf Loos argued in 1908 that, “The evolution of

culture is synonymous with the removal of ornament

from objects of daily use.” Do you agree or disagree?

Why?

Adolf loos argued that the evolution of culture is synonymous with the removal of ornament from objects of daily use. I agree with his beliefs because materials that make up everyday objects has a beauty of its own. If our culture evolved with the idea of ornamenting everything, everything would cost more, there would be no choice and the beauty of nature’s materials would be lost.

The cost to ‘ornament’ say a table would cost a lot more then todays table. Making a table would be a talent in its self, forcing a material in to a shape nothing like itself and overly decorated just to eat dinner on. In today’s time in a recession these types of objects would be highly unaffordable and unnecessary. The ornamentation would be simply for the rich and the fools. Because of today’s money crisis if everything was ornamented , there would be no choice for the less fortunate. It would rob families of everyday objects.

Apple is one of the world’s leading company’s and ornamentation is not something they use. The ipad is a great example of the simple materials, used as they should be. Simple lines, plane colour and no patterns or exaggerated warpping in the material. Although the materials used aren’t all from nature but it is not trying to be more then it is.

171- THE CONTINUING CURVE

‘The continuing curve’

An example of the continuing curve is the laptop, more specifically the apple mac book. When one of the first Macintosh laptop came out it was every colourful, vibrant, plastic and bubble looking, some may say overly flamboyant. To me this resembles ideas from the rococo era. But the advances in the modern day are not as obvious and as extreme as the mid 1700’s. Instead the changes are more subtle; the modern laptop from apple seems to have more of a ‘yin’ approach. The shape and material reflects a more simplistic society, one that looks to nature for beauty rather than trying to alter it.

I do think that sensuous impulse is a factor the continuing curve because companies are in constant battle to draw the consumers’ attention; beauty has to be a factor in drawing attention to your product. As peoples desires change the company has to recognise this and change their product accordingly. This I believe is want creates this continuing curve.

Image reference:

http://www.macdistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/apple-mac-i-book-for-sale-300x150.jpg

http://images.media.nscdn.com/index.php?src=http://www.microsplot.com/system/files/u1/Clamshell_iBook_G3.jpg&size=400x1000

http://www.shopdev.co.uk/demos/sandbox/images/uploads/macBookPro/gallery-big-06.jpg

http://laptopreviewshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/design20081014.jpg

171

Google is an important design from late 1990 which revolutionised the internet. Google is in my opinion the best and most simplistic search engine which provides a free, easy service for users to find relevant information on anything on the internet. These characteristics are what makes Google an important design.

THE LETTER

I chose the clip board because it is what the coaches use to tell the players what to do in order to win. i am using it it to tell them what to do in order to win over there fans

THE LETTER

Dear Miami Heat.

NBA teams are fragile as they constantly rely on fans. Fans are the foundation of the league; they bring in the money without them there would be no money therefore no NBA league. The pressure of losing is then exaggerated because fans are not loyal in supporting one team. This makes the league fragile and disappointing to many players.

Currently all NBA teams have fans how are not consistently loyal to one team, but Miami Heat are seen as the villains in the league because you are constantly buying players off other teams no matter what the consequences. This situation does not help you to secure fans as no fan wants to support the “evil” team.

Miami Heat, in order to keep loyalty of your fans you need to change your advertising and marketing direction. Firstly I suggest you should change your image from being perceived as the “villains” of the league and spend more time in the community to honestly win over your fans. Secondly you should market the Heat as heroes instead of “villains” in order to secure fans; this will make the league for the Heat less fragile and bring down the pressure of losing and also most likely bring in more money for the team.

Jacob Slattery

THE POSTER