objects all around

Our design class was recently given the opportunity to watch Objectified, a film about the design and purpose of objects. One of the most memorable topics in the film talked about how almost everything that fills this world was at one point decided upon and designed. Their example was Post-its, a simple pad of sticky sectioned paper, but even these had to be designed. Someone had to determine size, shape, paper color, paper type, packaging, etc. We really are surrounded by so many objects in our daily lives; it becomes this massive sea of design. From this laptop I'm writing on to the shoes at my feet, stretching out to the clutter of items and furniture in this surrounding room, everything was designed. So what makes for good design versus not so good design? Objectified brings up a couple more points in saying that good design involves the least design, and how people tend to want what's new and now even though it may not last long. Maybe good design is something that is simple and stands the test of time. Are classic things the epitome of design? Also mentioned was the phrase "form follows function" and how such is not necessarily true anymore. In previous years the form of an object often depicted its usefulness, purpose, content, and value among other things. The invention of the microchip changed all this, with electronics such as the Iphone, GPS devices, etc. It's hard to determine at a glance exactly what the function of these objects is. Maybe ambiguity is the key to modern and thus successful design? This is all up for discussion, but I feel that good design fulfills its purpose without excess clutter, and if executed well it'll leave its mark of success.

pic credit: Charles & Hudson