Design is the ultimate expression of the immutable laws of the universe. I know that sounds heady and pompous but I believe the five principles of design are the key to everything.
1. Unity
2. Balance
3. Rhythm
4. Emphasis
5. Proportion
Simply stated, these principles point us to what we find to be beautiful, efficient, and desirable. They help to explain the inner workings of our body and mind and our outer workings of family, culture, and the world.
At one point, I think, design and art were one. The names we remember from the Renaissance are not simply known as painters and sculptors. They were architects, they built machines of war, and they created urban spaces. They solved major problems of math and physics AND they created incredibly beautiful art. Somewhere along the way I think that connection was lost. Somewhere along the way art became about personal expression and no longer spoke in the language of visual communication.
As school systems have languished over the last few decades the connection to art, music, physical activity have been lost. Children today are pushed to achieve but to achieve what. Without cultural context, without a big picture, without grounding what will they have learned?
It's time for designers everywhere to step into classrooms, boardrooms, and the halls of congress to show the world or at least the folks here at home that DESIGN is the solution. Why the financial meltdown? Lack of balance and scale? Why the fear? Lack of unity and focus? What can rhythm teach use about driving, stress, and fatigue.
OK enough pontificating... time to make stuff
I recall that Leonardo wrote in his journal that he considered painting to be a science, rather than an art form. In a way, I agree. Expression is great, but it is only part of the equation. Without technical knowledge and discipline, art goes off the rails (as we've seen in the last century or so). I tend to agree with Pirsig, you have to be equipped to alternate between taking a step with the Right Brain and a step with the Left Brain in order to really get anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading The Design of Everyday Things, which was an enlightening book. Now it's hard not to notice the design flaws (and strengths) of objects around me.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my son's middle school offers two semesters of "Design / Engineering Technology", which is encouraging.
I don't think there's a difference between art and design, its the all the same. The only distinction you can really make is with the marketplace; if its a hobby or not- if its pro or am- if you get paid.
ReplyDelete"Art without commerce is just a hobby" comes to mind. Design and art borrow from each other; color, grids, typography they use the same tools. As far as I'm concerned Rauschenberg did layout and Ed Ruscha is a graphic designer and Olafur Eliasson is an architect. Many artists employ design and many designers are artists look at Modern Dog's posters- looks like Dada. Look at Paula Scher's map paintings.
I think you teach art Mr. Popovitz and for that I thank you.