Design Principles Argument - NOT AN ETHICAL ARGUMENT

There are design principles or concepts that are used to arrange the structural and non-structural elements of design.  These principles are not only helpful and used by interior designers, but also to artists, graphic designers, and anyone who takes an interest in art, or who’s profession deals with design in some way, shape, or form.  These principles are BALANCE, PROPORTION, RHYTHM, EMPHASIS, and UNITY.  These five principles are used in every design created in some way or another.  The following link is a link to the article that inspired this blog post:

http://www.vitsoe.com/en/gb/about/dieterrams/gooddesign 

 In the article, Dieter Rams, a designer, has listed ten principles or commandments for what he considers to be good design.  They are as following: 

• Good design is innovative
• Good design makes a product useful
• Good design is aesthetic
• Good design makes a product understandable
• Good design is unobtrusive
• Good design is honest 
• Good design is long lasting
• Good design is thorough, down to the last principle
• Good design is environmentally friendly
• Good design is as little design as possible

Shown below are products designed by Dieter Rams that he believes abide by his commandments.

 

MPZ 21 multipress citrus juicer, 1972, by Dieter Rams and Jürgen Greubel for Braun

 Multipress Citrus Juicer

MPZ 21 multipress citrus juicer, 1972, by Dieter Rams and Jürgen Greubel for BraunM

MPZ 21 multipress citrus juicer, 1972, by Dieter Rams and Jürgen Greubel for Braun

 Speaker

 

RT 20 Tischsuper Radio

T 1000 World Receiver

Cylindric T 2 Lighter

TP 1 Radio/Phone Combination

ET 66 Calculator

L 450 flat loudspeaker, TG 60 reel-to-reel tape recorder and TS 45 control unit

606 Universal Shelving System

 620 Chair Programme

These ten principles are concepts all designers should follow or refer to when designing a space; however, I think one more principle should be added to the list.  Here is the principle I propose:

• Good design is flexible

Human beings are always changing. Our wants, our needs, and our minds are always changing.  Therefore, we need designs that are able to change, grow, and adapt as we change.  Rams has mentioned how good design is long lasting.  He goes on to explain that it should avoid being fashionable so it never appears “out of style” or “outdated.”  He believes design that is not necessarily fashionable or the current trend will last many years – even in today’s society.

I believe that Rams should either consider adding the idea of flexibility to his list of principles, making it eleven commandments, or he should consider changing his seventh principle so it includes flexibility. 

When a space is designed to be flexible, it is allowing the design to be open to change.  Since nothing lasts forever and people and corporations are constantly moving, the design of these spaces should be designed to be flexible to help meet needs that potential users may have as well as the needs of the current residents. 

Yes, designers should always strive to meet their clients’ needs and wants, but they should also consider the possibility of the clients needs changing, or the possibility of someone else occupying the space. 

When a design meets the needs of a client while still being flexible, the client feels as though the space was designed specifically for them; however, they also know that if they decide to pack up and move in a year, the future users of the space can also enjoy it and they won’t need to make as many structural changes, thus, saving time and money.  In the world of design, it often times boils down to these two factors: time and money.  When clients realize they are able to save both of these, they will more than likely like the design and will accept it. 

Currently there are five main design principles that are used by designers and artists.  Dieter Rams has introduced ten principles that he believes equate to good design.  I believe Dieter Rams’ principles, the five main design principles, and the idea of flexibility should all be combined to create a new set of design principles that everyone refers to to help create the best designs possible.