Form follows function. Functional and formal concepts
- 1. UNIT- II
- 2. Study and evaluation of various design philosophies such as “Form follows function” etc. Evaluation of visual design: study of Gestalt theory of design – law of closure, law of proximity, law of continuity etc. Typology of furniture with respect to the different states in India. Human factors, engineering and ergonomic considerations: Principles of Universal Design and their application in furniture design
- 3. Philosophy of design is the study of definitions of design, and the assumptions, foundations, and implications of design.
- 4. A designer's philosophy defines what they wish to accomplish in design, and which principles of design they will use to do so. A design philosophy is more general and belief- oriented, while a design concept is more context- specific and application-oriented.
- 5. But where do these great designs come from? How do designers create objects that are both beautiful and useful? From where do they draw their inspiration? Do they follow any rules, or do they follow their fancy? We’ll find out the answers in famous design philosophies of all time.
- 6. Zen design, inspired by the Japanese philosophy of Zen Buddhism, emphasizes simplicity, minimalism, and the use of natural materials to create a peaceful and harmonious environment. Zen interior design emphasizes simplicity, minimalism, natural materials, and a focus on creating a peaceful and harmonious environment through uncluttered spaces and subdued lighting, aiming to foster tranquility and connection with nature.
- 7. Zenshūyo or ‘Zen Style’ is a Japanese design style that originated from a Japanese Buddhist architectural style and is named after the Zen sect of Buddhism. Zen is derived from the Chinese Song Dynasty Architecture and was brought to Japan somewhere around the 12th century. With Zen interior design, the focus is to bring balance, tranquility, harmony to your home while adapting a simple and minimalistic approach. The idea behind the Zen style is to create a place where you can meditate, relax, have peace in this fast-paced, noisy world.
- 8. Principles: Simplicity and Minimalism: - Zen design prioritizes uncluttered spaces, removing unnecessary items and focusing on essential elements. Natural Materials: - Emphasizes the use of natural materials like wood, stone, bamboo, and plants to create a connection with the outdoors. Harmony and Balance: - Strives for a sense of balance and tranquility in the design, creating a space that promotes relaxation and mindfulness.
- 9. Principles: Subdued Lighting: - Utilizes soft, natural, or candlelight to create a calming atmosphere, avoiding harsh or artificial lighting. Natural Elements: - Incorporates natural elements like plants, water features, and natural textures to bring the outside in. Explore more: - https://www.pufikhomes.com/en/stili-interera/yaponskiy- stil/
- 12. Another look at fluidity in contemporary furniture design but this time from the stable of Daan Mulder Interior Architecture & Furniture Design in Amsterdam, Netherlands. https://livinspaces.net/design-stories/highlights/form-follows-function-daan-mulder- interior-architecture-furniture-design/
- 13. TABLE(S)
- 16. Louis Sullivan, the American architect who coined this phrase The form follows function meaning is literally in the term itself. Form follows functions means that the physical nature/appearance or the aesthetics of the product or space should be in accordance with its purpose. Form follows function is a principle that states that the shape (form) that something takes should be chosen based on its intended purpose and function. OR Form follows function is a design principle that dictates that the form of an object should be based on its purpose. In other words, the form of an object should be dictated by its function. This principle is often used in the design of products, buildings, and other objects. An office building, for example, should be designed to be a place where people can work. It should have plenty of light and should be comfortable to work in. A factory, on the other hand, should be designed to be a place where products can be made. It should have wide-open spaces and high ceilings to accommodate the machinery.
- 17. In design, the notion of 'form follows function' refers to the appearance of something relating to its intended function – without added design elements. Essentially, the design is kept simple, streamlined, and has no bells and whistles added purely for aesthetics.
- 18. A FORM is the outer surface of an object. It is what people see and interact with. Numerous examples can prove that form follows function. The two holes in the scissors are not the same size not because of the so-called beauty of asymmetry but people put different numbers of fingers into each of them. Thus, for the first-time user, it is quite easy to figure out how to use this tool from its form. A FUNCTION is a reflection of the requirement or purpose of the design which comes from human needs and wants.
- 19. The function of a chair is to provide a place to sit. The form of the chair should be based on this function. It should be comfortable to sit in and should be able to support the weight of a person. The chair should also be stable so that it does not tip over when someone is sitting in it.
- 20. Rocking chair has a semicircular arc-type structure that connects the fore and back limbs of the chair. Hence, the chair is able to move to and fro to serve its purpose of “Rocking” for the person sitting on it. Sofa chair is basically a one-seater sofa. It is soft, comfortable and feels like a cushion. It is purposefully designed in this way to give support and relaxation. Office chair is designed to support and keep the spinal cord upright of the person who uses it. Hence, he/ she stays focused and can work for hours in the same position.
- 21. Dining table chairs should not fight the table’s centrepiece for your attention. Unlike an occasional chair, these chairs are purely there to serve a purpose – that purpose is to provide seating at mealtime. They should offer a simple look and not be too decorative. A dining room chair is a great place to start on your form follows function journey throughout the home.
- 22. What is the function of a chair? To have people sit on it. If form always follows function, or is entirely determined by function, all the chairs should look the same. So why do chairs differ in material, structure, shape, size, color, etc.? Because function can be complex. A chair in a public park may be built in stone or metal so that it won’t be worn out easily. An office chair may be height adjustable because of ergonomics considerations. A chair at home or hotel may be cozy and stylish to fit in the interior design of the space. Ornamentation is allowed as long as it serves a function that could support people’s emotional needs. A chair may vary in color for people to choose the color they like.
- 24. Gestalt Principles are principles/laws of human perception that describe how humans group similar elements, recognize patterns and simplify complex images when we perceive objects. Gestalt Principles are an essential part of visual design. There are more than ten overlapping principles.
- 25. Communication plays a central role in any design. Understanding how your users perceive and interpret your work is key. The Gestalt Principles can help you do so. Developed by Gestalt psychologists (Max Wertheimer , Kurt Koffka and Wolfgang Kohler ), the Gestalt Principles describe how we interpret and process complex stimuli around us. They state that our minds have a tendency to group and organize elements and do so in predictable ways. The ways in which our mind does so are summarized in the Gestalt Principles.
- 26. The human brain is built to see structure and patterns in order for us to better understand our environment, hence why we see faces in clouds, food and architecture. This concept is one of the most important underlying ideas behind the Gestalt principles which can be applied to all aspects of design, from art to architecture. When you apply Gestalt principles to your interior design, you are taking into account how people will see and interact with the space as a whole which can improve the aesthetics, functionality and user experience.
- 27. Gestalt psychology talks about how the totality of one object is greater than the parts that make it up. In furniture terms, tables, sofas, and other decors can be put together to create an entirely new image. It also means that you shouldn’t jump to conclusions if the design of your room or space is not yet complete.
- 28. Gestalt principles can quickly elevate a design that seems haphazard or like it’s fighting for a user’s attention to one that offers a seamless, natural interaction that makes your site feel familiar while guiding users toward the action you want them to take.
- 29. The classic principles of the gestalt theory of visual perception include: 1. Law of continuation, 2. Law of closure, 3. Law of proximity, 4. Law of similarity, 5. Law of figure/ground, and 6. Law of symmetry & order
- 31. The law of closure states that people tend to close any gaps in a particular profile. Our brain likes to create patterns, so we will naturally close any gaps in a design or image to create a complete picture. The Gestalt principle of closure is based on this premise. For interior designers, it’s hard to leave a gap in their designs since many people may think that the design is incomplete. Take note of this principle when arranging furniture.
- 32. Furniture placement can delineate a space through the principle of closure.
- 33. The law of proximity states that the individual elements which are close to each other will be viewed as a group. As they appear further away from each other, they go back to being perceived as individual elements. The space between objects can dictate whether the overall profile is arranged in columns or in rows. This law can be used in making separate areas in the living room by grouping furniture of the same color or shape.
- 34. The six windows at the end of the wall are exemplifying this law in a way that shows the power of proximity. Instead of seeing six individual windows or one group of six, we see two groups of three because the distance between the two sets of three is great enough to create a feeling of separation.
- 35. For example, compactly arranging elements in an open plan office to create break out spaces.
- 36. The law of good continuation states that things that make an implied direction are usually seen as one. If you see two lines crossing paths, you will normally see it as two lines, not angles. Sharp or acute angles, create an unnatural feeling so we are less likely to group objects that involve them.
- 37. Continuation can be used to guide a user’s attention in a certain direction. It can also be used to define or separate spaces visually. Arranging furniture in a continuous path will establish separation in an open-plan space without the need for walls.
- 38. The law of similarity states that people tend to group similar things as one. In the living room, it’s natural for people to see a single chair in a group of sofas. It creates some sort of distinction in interior design. Similarities can be created using a number of design elements including colour, size, shape and texture.
- 39. This principle is important when selecting and arranging furniture. Consider the colour, shape and texture, as those pieces that share visual characteristics, will be seen as belonging together.
- 40. In contrast, breaking from similarity draws our attention to the dissimilar element, creating a focal point.
- 41. The Figure-ground principle is based on the brain’s tendency to distinguish form from its surroundings. It is essentially the visual relationship between foreground and background. In design, we use this principle to focus the user’s attention on the thing we want them to engage with. All elements in design are either figure or ground, and understanding the relationship between the two is a key component of good design.
- 43. Study and evaluate any one furniture piece of designers that followed the design philosophy “FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION”. Evaluate on the basis of following pointers: 1. Describe the purpose of this object (its function). 2. Write directions for how the object should be used. 3. Describe its design (or form) as completely as possible. Include a description of its shape, material(s), color, texture, weight, and any other details you can observe. 4. Describe how the design of the object is connected to its use. 5. Name one thing you could change in the design of the object that would make it less functional. 6. Can you think of an improvement to make the object more functional? Note: Name of furniture and the designer should be well mentioned