The need to define what is a good design has emerged as a result of social, intellectual and technological evolution of humanity. In order to be able to determine if a design is good or not we should understand how historical approaches towards the distinction of art and design has evolved. If we think of a film tittle, a book cover, a thriller… they all have the functionality to introduce a product. But it is not as easy as it seems. All of them are emotionally responsive to what it’s coming. Their appearance needs transmit how the product wants to be perceived.
Taking a quick walk through history, we see how the birth of modernism is what gave rise to greater isolation between the terms of art and design. Today, we understand design as something that goes beyond beauty. A design must have integrity and the aim to attract the consumer emotionally. Beauty, referring to design, is linked to honesty and engagement. Functionality, even if it’s intellectual or commercial function can’t be missed. Without it we would be talking about art rather than design. Good design emphasises the usefulness of a product while disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.
To exemplify what I am saying I would like to use the design of the Santa and Cole company. It is a company that, through its philosophy, justifies very well what a good design is. They do not simply sell lamps.
Founded in 1980, the company started selling customized lamps for warm bars of Barcelona. When producing, they always think about how the costumer feels when using their lamps rather than in the product itself. They believe that a lamp needs to be pretty, aesthetic and garish. It needs to cause emotion, even when its turned-off. It must become something that gives personality to the space. Something that accompanies you. In that sense, this company is clearly commited to its values and environment. it radiates honesty and sincerity with its design and functionality of its products. Yet maintaining the seriousness of a business, they know how to raise the importance of the role of the industrial designer in the company thus achieving perfect integrity in their products.
It is not easy to define what is considered a good design. However, it is always necessary to contextualize the product or service within its functionality and integrity as a whole. It is undoubtedly necessary a sufficiently high knowledge of what art and design is considered nowadays in order to be able to recognize what a ‘’good design’’ is.
To finish with, I would like to highlight what Charles Earnes was once argued in relation to the existing link between art and design. When asked if art was an expression of art. He answered: ‘I would rather say that it is an expression of purpose. It may (if is good enough) later be judged as art.’
Beatrix Kiddo.
Making sense of art and design industries 