Book Review: Design as Art
A leaf on a tree, is beautiful — whether you have ever thought about it or not. It has the unique beautiful form because it belongs to a certain tree, where it fulfils a certain function.
This unique form that the leaf has — its structure — is determined by the veins and capillaries which carry the sap. The leaf is beautiful, not because it is stylish, but because it is perfectly natural — it has been created in its exact form, by its exact function.
This beauty is what an ideal designer should try to create in his work — the work should feel as natural, as does a leaf on a tree.
A designer is a human being with his own tastes and preferences, but he does not suffocate his work with his personal ideologies, he tries to be objective.
He simply helps that object, to make itself, by the proper means.
This piece is a review of the wonderful book by Bruno Munari, named Design as Art.
One of the most important foundations that Munari tries to lay down in this masterpiece, is the contrast between the artist of the old ages, and the designer of now.
At one time in history, there used to be art — based on beauty. This beauty was actually an abstract sense, and we no longer look at it as something stuck to the technical aspect of an object.
Instead, the emphasis now is on formal coherence — as seen in nature, like in the example of the leaf.
Earlier, there used to be fine art and commercial art, or in other terms, pure and applied art. There used to be sewing machines created by engineers and technicians, which were then beautified by artists — with decorations made in exquisite materials like gold or mother-of-pearl.
However, that no longer holds today.
This definition of art is very confusing now. Art is now almost another trade.
For example, we call upon graphic designers to make posters for events — and not the artist. This is because the artist is comfortable only with the easel, but the designer is much more competent for this case of visual communication. With all the knowledge of printing, and paper types and technicalities, the designer almost seems like a genius. He works keeping in mind the printing techniques right from the start, he designs work that fits the psychological functions, and this makes him so much more valuable. After all, the form follows the function.
The designer of today, is the one who tries to establish a connection between art and the general public, he humbly responds to the needs of the common man.
He knows the means of effective design, and he applies this to get his job done well. He is the problem-solver, who does not resort to stylistic preconceptions, or absurd and false notions of dignity derived from pure art. In a sense —
The designer is the artist of today.
Having laid down this crucial understanding, Bruno Munari goes on to explain the intricacies of visual design, through shapes of words, symbols and signs, and colours, of industrial design, through micro-art and spontaneous art forms, of research design, and of machines designed as theoretical reconstructions of totally imaginary objects.
If you love art and design, and all things that go with it, this beautiful book is a must-read.
Design as Art, by Bruno Munari.
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