What is design? What are the styles and trends in design?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

In the modern lexicon there are many words, the meaning of which we do not know thoroughly. For example, some people cannot accurately answer the question of what design is, what is the true meaning of this word, where it came from. We will try to lift the veil of such a mystery based on theory and practical examples.

Some general concepts

In general terms, design is a synthesis of the design process and its result. In the course of this, everyday items, premises, machines and equipment, as well as many other things are created.

According to the rules, the design must contain three main criteria: economy, convenience and beauty. Although the percentage of these indicators may vary depending on the industry in which the work is carried out. However, it is impossible to say so briefly and dryly about what design is. This concept is divided into many subgroups, varieties that are fundamentally different from each other. But one thing unites them - a specially trained person should be engaged in the creation of something beautiful, comfortable and economical.

Let's consider who a designer is

Since these days this direction is often compared with architecture, music, sculpture, the creator himself in this area is also considered an artist. He creates something beautiful, versatile, something that will be both pleasing to the eye and perhaps acceptable to use.

Who is a designer? One cannot miss the point that such a person must clearly see the general organization of all details and forms in the things with which he works. This means that when creating something new, he must move all the components of the object with which he works until they look the most harmonious and attractive in the given conditions. This also applies to working with color, and with lines, and with shapes. If a person feels a balance in things, while seeing the big picture of what happens, then he is a true designer. Such a specialist can safely look for himself in one of the branches of this type of art.

Let's talk about design from a professional point of view

Now let's try to consider this type of art from a practical point of view, which will help to take a fresh look at it and understand its essence. Modern information sources give too much unnecessary information about what design is, but, in fact, there is no exact concept.

So, if we need to solve a problem, we create something new, something that allows us to eliminate the shortcomings quickly and in the most accessible way. For example, to cover the distance between twofloors, the height of the walls of which is very high, a spiral staircase is being erected. At the same time, it is smoother for a rising person than a straight line, and takes up less space. Thus, the design is a solution to the problem both from a practical point of view (more comfortable conditions, more free space), and from an aesthetic point of view (we all know that spiral staircases look very impressive and perfectly complement any interior).

The desire to get better

Continuing to talk about what design is, let's pay attention to the furniture that is in our apartments, houses and offices. Few people think about the fact that once it was produced precisely in order to make our life better, more comfortable and more beautiful. So far, we are not talking about what varieties of certain furniture elements can be bought today, but we will directly consider those items on which we sit.

Once upon a time, people used only stools and benches. But a man appeared who wished to have a more comfortable place to rest, and he created an easy chair upholstered in fabric. He had to develop, first of all, a structure that could withstand a person with any body weight, and then give it a certain appearance. Now it becomes easier to understand who a designer is. This is a person who simultaneously designs and ennobles his creations, which subsequently become useful and even indispensable for society.

What is the design

Bthese days there is a whole host of different activities that all come under one tag - design. This applies to the Internet, household items, food, toys and interiors, cars and portable equipment. Everything that surrounds us was once, as they say, a dream that came true thanks to the combination of constructive and decorative activities. Therefore, now we will try to divide all the styles and trends in design into the main subgroups that are most popular these days. By the way, many of them have already become separate branches of art, which are taught not only at specialized courses, but also at international standard universities.

Our house, cottage, office and the process of their creation

Perhaps, most people first of all associate a certain type of interior with the word "design". Today, room design options are divided into many varieties, which can be classified depending on the era, country, or simply the creator's imagination. For example, in offices, the classical style most often prevails, which, accordingly, originates from the era of classicism (nineteenth century).

Modern design is created in apartments, and it can resemble a spaceship, a nightclub, and so on. As a rule, this option is characterized by a minimum amount of furniture, glass shelves and tables, a large number of mirrors and monochrome colors. But any room (both work and home) can be done, say, in Japanesestyle or French. In the first case, it is enough to install a minimum of functional furniture in the room and add the appropriate paraphernalia. In the second, we select jardinières, couches and sophisticated forged elements, after which your idea comes to life.

Internet is a fantasy field

Today, design trends are very closely connected with life on the World Wide Web. The number of sites that fill the Internet is unrealistic to count, and each of them has its own specifics. Some are created for communication, others for getting basic or additional income, there are children's portals, and there are completely adults (18+). The network operates shops, social services, various support services and much, much more. We see that you can simply live on the Internet, so each branch of virtual existence must have its own appearance, different from others.

The design of the site is created taking into account what its main functions are. Depending on this, the color design, various decorative details and inserts, font type, widgets, functionality, etc. are selected. It is also worth noting that the appearance and design of the site for the entire period of its existence may change several times. It all depends on the speed of development of new IT technologies, services that make the use of the resource more comfortable and acceptable.

Food has a look too

It's hard to imagine, but designers also work in the food industry. They create beautifulthe shell of everything we eat, from the wrapper to the outside of the food itself.

Take the design of a chocolate candy as an example. If this product is intended for children, it will most likely be rectangular or elliptical. The wrapper will be painted in bright colors, it will have drawings and colorful inscriptions. Therefore, with the help of design, this product will attract the attention of children, which will allow the manufacturer to increase sales.

Candies for adults are most often packaged in cardboard boxes. They can be round, rectangular, square, or even heart-shaped. The packaging design is likely to be romantic, made in dark colors. Similarly, the design of dishes that are served on the table without packaging is created. Even meat can be cooked a certain way to get the shape and color you want.

Design on a larger scale

Have you ever thought that not only our house has its own appearance, different from others, but also the city? In fact, each settlement has its own unique design, which in most cases was created over many centuries. This is what we often call the aura of a place, its secret meaning. Interestingly, the appearance of the city greatly affects the inhabitants who live in it. The impact is exerted by architectural forms (smooth or lancet), the width of streets, the height of buildings, their color, the shape of windows and doors, and much, much more.

Perhaps a small province or village will notto have integrity in this regard, but let's take a look at such megacities as Moscow, Chicago, Mexico City. Each of them has old buildings, skyscrapers, wide avenues, and narrow streets. However, they are fundamentally different because they have a different design that has been created over the centuries.

Small conclusion

Today it is enough to take design courses in order to become a worthy representative of this profession. However, it is important to consider one fact: in order to create something new that helps solve certain problems and at the same time looks beautiful, you need to have talent. Designers are undoubtedly creative people who see this world differently than technologists or ordinary workers. However, the design itself is not art, embellishment or anything like that. This is a combination of innovative finds that make our lives easier and more comfortable, and beauty that brings more good mood and positive to every day.