This article discusses numerous terms and themes--all relative to one another. These include amateur and professional design, influence and alterity (in design), DIY, the English Arts and Crafts movement, "ghosts," vernaculars and dilettantes.
Three terms from this reading that are very closely linked are amateur design, DIY and the English Arts and Crafts movement. Following the English Arts and Crafts movement, amateur practice became more popular. This inspired people to get creative and make certain objects they might normally purchase. As stated by the authors, a special issue of the journal (the one from which this reading comes) discusses "democratization of the design process through amateur practices--practices that allowed individuals to find personal meaning and that opened up design to a wider range of participants."
From this reading, I have come to realize that amateur design does, in fact, influence professional design. Considering amateur design is much more open and less constricting than professional design, it is, in my opinion, inevitable that a wider variety of ideas and design elements are present in amateur design.
Key points in this reading:
- 'Amator,' which is defined as "someone who loves what they do and does it for its own sake rather than financial reward," is the Latin root for the word 'amateur.'
- Professional and amateur practices will always be connected to one another.
- Modernity does away with tradition.
- "The vernacular is an inescapable part of modern design."
- Vernaculars are associated with tradition and pop culture.
- "For professional designers, whether they design buildings, products, information, furniture or experiences, it is imperative that they find ways of accurately envisioning those who use design, in order to become partners in the creation of successful solutions."
"We're Here to be Bad"
Although this piece was, literally, difficult to read, its message came across quite clearly. This article discusses the importance of designers' taking risks and stepping outside the box--an idea I believe to be relative to just about any circumstance. In my opinion, taking risks and temporarily removing oneself from a given situation once in awhile offers a designer insight and experience, while simultaneously protecting his or her sanity.
I enjoyed reading the portion containing information about products and individuality. To my understanding, when most people think of others expressing themselves through specific products (the brands of the products, in particular), they think of the girl who walks around wearing a Juicy Couture jumpsuit and Chanel sunglasses while she carries her newest Louis Vuitton handbag. But what about the other end of the spectrum? What about those people that refuse to associate themselves with such name brands? Doesn't that say something about them?
Like this article states, "products have to appear to express different attitudes." This provides people with choices. This way, people are able to choose the products they want and the products they don't want. Without choices, there is no possibility of individuality.
Key points in this reading:
- It is necessary for designers to step outside the box; "[they] need to function as outsiders."
- Today, bigger is definitely better. However, that is not true in all cases. For example, big corporations equal big risks, and big risks equal big consequences (positive or negative.)
- It is natural for people to knowingly or unknowingly express themselves through the particular brands and products with which they choose to surround themselves.
- "Design is playing a more prominent role in everyday life, but the designer isn't."
- "Vernacular design is design that's so familiar that we don't really see it. Seeing the vernacular is seeing the invisible."
- "Unfortunately, schools teach students to design by imitating what the professionals do rather than developing their own approaches."
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