My Design Philosophy
As a student coming from a small town that I adore, it has been deeply engrained in me that beauty comes from the little things. As a result of this mindset I would say every part of my philosophy is based off of the fact that details are everything. From beauty, to health, to functionality, the details are what separate a space, from a designated space with a purpose, such as a 'room', from a 'family room.' The differentiation between a well designed space and a poorly designed space is all in the details.
The first aspect I mentioned is that detail effects beauty. An apartment can come fully furnished, the bedroom with a bed, side table, desk, and a dresser, but until you add sheets and a matching comforter, a lamp or a candle on the side table, and a picture on top of the dresser, the room is not appealing. All of these aspects could vary between people what that bedspread or lamp, etc. would look like, but basic details of what people expect to see in a designated space are almost always similar and those are the details that make a space pleasing and comfortable. In my designs I strive to pay attention to the things that make a space, into a space you want to spent time in.
Mentioned secondly, but in no way second to any other aspect, is that details of an environment effect health. A designer, Jesse Weaver, writes in his blog about his design philosophy that "Design is never perfect." In the aspect of mental and physical health this statement could not be any more true. There are numerous aspects to health and a million different variables of individuals health to consider when designing any space, and there is absolutely no way to accommodate them all. Health could be someone in a wheelchair, someone with post traumatic stress disorder, or simply someone with high anxiety levels that could be spiked by overstimulation. As I designer I will strive for perfection by studying the occupants, customers, etc. of a space to fit as many needs as possible that are found in my research.
Third on my list of things that details effect is functionality. Details such as signs, walkways, and lights effect your brains perception of where to go and how you should move through a space. I went in a new grocery store recently that I didn't like because I didn't realize the door in the middle of the building, that was inviting attention with a fall display, was not the entrance, so when I entered that door I encountered registers and a lack of place to grab a cart I was overwhelmed with a lack of direction. Many details of the design could have deterred that anxiety. Initially, the building could have been designed that the middle door is the entrance, but even a post occupancy observation could have recommended that the exit not be decorated to be inviting people in and there could have also been a sign in front of that door to say that the main entrance is down the sidewalk around a corner that is otherwise not visible. This is an example of how the details could have improved functionality and kept the flow of traffic as desired. In my designing career, after my student life of designing, I will make a point to conduct thorough POEs, people watching, surveying occupants, etc. to ensure my design is used to is best potential.
In short I believe my design philosophy thus far is to pay attention to detail in every aspect. In beauty I will study my clients to provide a space that they want, not that I want. In Health, to consider all the possible needs of the occupants, while accepting that your design can never be perfect. In functionality I will strive to make the best possible initial design, but if that doesn't work, I will accept the flaws and instead of calling the design a failure, try to fix them to the best of my ability.
The first aspect I mentioned is that detail effects beauty. An apartment can come fully furnished, the bedroom with a bed, side table, desk, and a dresser, but until you add sheets and a matching comforter, a lamp or a candle on the side table, and a picture on top of the dresser, the room is not appealing. All of these aspects could vary between people what that bedspread or lamp, etc. would look like, but basic details of what people expect to see in a designated space are almost always similar and those are the details that make a space pleasing and comfortable. In my designs I strive to pay attention to the things that make a space, into a space you want to spent time in.
Mentioned secondly, but in no way second to any other aspect, is that details of an environment effect health. A designer, Jesse Weaver, writes in his blog about his design philosophy that "Design is never perfect." In the aspect of mental and physical health this statement could not be any more true. There are numerous aspects to health and a million different variables of individuals health to consider when designing any space, and there is absolutely no way to accommodate them all. Health could be someone in a wheelchair, someone with post traumatic stress disorder, or simply someone with high anxiety levels that could be spiked by overstimulation. As I designer I will strive for perfection by studying the occupants, customers, etc. of a space to fit as many needs as possible that are found in my research.
Third on my list of things that details effect is functionality. Details such as signs, walkways, and lights effect your brains perception of where to go and how you should move through a space. I went in a new grocery store recently that I didn't like because I didn't realize the door in the middle of the building, that was inviting attention with a fall display, was not the entrance, so when I entered that door I encountered registers and a lack of place to grab a cart I was overwhelmed with a lack of direction. Many details of the design could have deterred that anxiety. Initially, the building could have been designed that the middle door is the entrance, but even a post occupancy observation could have recommended that the exit not be decorated to be inviting people in and there could have also been a sign in front of that door to say that the main entrance is down the sidewalk around a corner that is otherwise not visible. This is an example of how the details could have improved functionality and kept the flow of traffic as desired. In my designing career, after my student life of designing, I will make a point to conduct thorough POEs, people watching, surveying occupants, etc. to ensure my design is used to is best potential.
In short I believe my design philosophy thus far is to pay attention to detail in every aspect. In beauty I will study my clients to provide a space that they want, not that I want. In Health, to consider all the possible needs of the occupants, while accepting that your design can never be perfect. In functionality I will strive to make the best possible initial design, but if that doesn't work, I will accept the flaws and instead of calling the design a failure, try to fix them to the best of my ability.
Citations
Weaver, Jesse. “What Is Your Design Philosophy? – RE: Write – Medium.” Medium, RE: Write, 21 Dec. 2015, medium.com/re-write/what-is-your-design-philosophy-a32d43985899.
Hello Mary! Your philosophy is interesting and unique. How have you seen yourself fulfilling your design philosophy of designing detail, health, and functionality thus far as a student? Have these themes been the underlaying motivation in your sketching, rendering, and drafting? If so, how? I look forward to your response.
ReplyDeleteGreat philosophy! You mentioned your hometown, was there something specific you were thinking about when you said that beauty comes from the little things?
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see some visuals to illustrate your philosophy.
ReplyDelete