[DSDN 171] Blog Assignment #3

“Construction should be decorated. Decoration should never be purposely constructed.”- The Grammar of Ornament, 1856, Owen Jones. 

Owen Jones was an 18th century designer who felt people must abide by his theory stated above. In 1856, Jones published The Grammar of Ornament, a book of his beliefs and concepts  in great hope of encouraging others to follow his lead. Jones and other designers such as A.W.N. Pugin believed believed that the aesthetic beauty of an object is of secondary priority whereas the functional properties of it is of top priority. Objects that were overpowered by its decoration to the point where you could not clearly see its construction or purpose were disapproved by Jones, they were seen as immoral and dishonest. 

21st Century Fashion Glasses

To the right is an example of design where its aesthetic beauty interrupts its known functionality. In regards to its known functionality, I believe it is unnecessary to aesthetically create such a design where you can no longer see through the 'lens'. However, in the 21st century, celebrities for example, will almost definitely wear this sort of design because it 'looks good', not because they need to see better or protect their eyes from sun rays. Even though I agree with Jones wherein decoration should never be purposely constructed, in this case, the known function for glasses isn't the intended function for these 21st century designed glasses - it is obviously not to improve ones eye sight, but is to raise ones fashion sense, because that is its [new] function, we can say it does serve its purpose. 

I accept Jones' and Pugins statement, but only to a point where design should meet its functional purpose. It can be difficult to justify design in the way where the intention of someone else may not be the intention of yours. I do not agree that all designers should essentially be in unity. I believe that you must have your right to your own creative mind. Restricting thoughts and processes to a standard level very much would lessen our creative world. Individuality would no longer exist if we were all to 'creatively think' as one.

[DSDN 171] Blog Assignment #2

The Rococo style is worldly recognized for its formality & elegance. It is also known as a time consumer - the time taken to achieve this manner of great aesthetics in regards to design.


If ever you were seen travelling in a carriage, you were instantly perceived as someone of success, wealth and authority; understandably enough, a lot of this perception is derived from the design of these 18th century carriages itself. To know that the intricate details in and around the carriage are for no function but to please our sensuous impulses alone, illustrates the fact that you had to be a person of wealth; you could not afford to or were even allowed to ride in this means of transport unless you were a person of importance. The crafted details in many carriages very elegantly expose the Rococo style especially through the curvature (’S’) features around the frames of the carriage. Rococo is a lot about giving an emotional response; the highly aesthetic and time-consuming detailed carriages present the individual inside to be of great status, to literally make outsiders say “wow” and to be in awe of that persons presence. These Rococo designed carriages send out the message that whoever is riding in it must instantly be seen as someone of worth and even so to be looked upon as of higher class - although these are Rococo designed, it further portrays masculinity towards the individual inside - a person to be respected and honored: It gives status to the individual.


In the 21st century, they may be seen at weddings and museums (places of importance); a person/people you will see in a carriage is someone who is of royalty i.e. The British Royal Family - people of wealth, honour and position. In this means of transport with its aesthetically pleasing details, people work their way up in hope of reaching this status. 

[DSDN 171] Blog Assignment #1

Design examines what us as humans desire/need while also considering the environment.


At night we need some form of light, but often do we as humans forget to flick the switch off once we’re done – this is where automatic power saving comes in, the sensor will detect (or rather, not detect) action, this informs the light that no one is actively in that area therefore it will automatically switch off. 


This is environmentally-friendly, it helps save power, which will further, save money.