Form Should Follow Function
Form Should Follow Function
The history of design can teach contemporary designers about the achievements and mistakes of the past. Such examinations of history show that lessons can be learned from the varying disciplines focused on the forms and functions of designs; where different designers take different standings on what is the appropriate form for the desired function. Burkey Belser, an information designer, discusses contemporary design, and that “The mirror has shattered and fragments of design movements are now strong, moving in parallel streams”. (Belser 2002) This statement shows the drift caused in design through history and the increase in individualism that now exists. Examples can be seen in all aspects of design, where designers take different views, and their designs may hold too much focus on their form or function, which weakens their standing in society as a design, while others may have the right balance where the purpose is for the function and the form is made to suit the idea. Good design results when form and function are in balance.
The idea that ‘form follows function’ can been understood as: a description or prescription of beauty. The basis of description is that beauty is created from the function, where the designer would focus on the use and abilities of the design, rather than just the aesthetics. The hope behind this is that consumers would choose a product for its functional properties rather than the form it holds, which could have much unnecessary ornamentation included. Results of such design basis can vary dramatically, where designs may be timeless, but may also be seen as uninteresting and simple by consumers. The prescription approach holds form secondary to function, where form follows function acts as a guideline, although this can have its issues, where designers may compromise form for function or vice versa for a particular design, instead of focussing on the aspects which will be more important for the success of
The history of design can teach contemporary designers about the achievements and mistakes of the past. Such examinations of history show that lessons can be learned from the varying disciplines focused on the forms and functions of designs; where different designers take different standings on what is the appropriate form for the desired function. Burkey Belser, an information designer, discusses contemporary design, and that “The mirror has shattered and fragments of design movements are now strong, moving in parallel streams”. (Belser 2002) This statement shows the drift caused in design through history and the increase in individualism that now exists. Examples can be seen in all aspects of design, where designers take different views, and their designs may hold too much focus on their form or function, which weakens their standing in society as a design, while others may have the right balance where the purpose is for the function and the form is made to suit the idea. Good design results when form and function are in balance.
The idea that ‘form follows function’ can been understood as: a description or prescription of beauty. The basis of description is that beauty is created from the function, where the designer would focus on the use and abilities of the design, rather than just the aesthetics. The hope behind this is that consumers would choose a product for its functional properties rather than the form it holds, which could have much unnecessary ornamentation included. Results of such design basis can vary dramatically, where designs may be timeless, but may also be seen as uninteresting and simple by consumers. The prescription approach holds form secondary to function, where form follows function acts as a guideline, although this can have its issues, where designers may compromise form for function or vice versa for a particular design, instead of focussing on the aspects which will be more important for the success of
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