- Design and consumerism
- Design and social change
- Design and globalisation/International perspectives
- Form/function
- Design and sustainability
I decided to chose form/function solely because it is an argument that I have researched and already know a little bit about. The design related to this topic is also something that I'm passionate about which all lead me to choose the topic. However, my underlying concerns are that we've already done significant contextual studies on consumerism and I think it'll be more sensible to go for that option because of the pre existing knowledge and texts. I have decided to stick with form/function and discard the other options.
In the tutorial with Richard we discussed my initial ideas which were to look at it from the perspective of form vs function, creating a triangulated analysis from both sides using quotes from modernist and post modernist designers, these conversations will all be applied to contemporary design. Richard suggested a title that I should use as a basis but rethink and develop, it is; 'Is the modernist principle of follows function still relevant today in contemporary design?' I also took away a reading list from the session that will help with the research side of things;
- Looking close: critical writing on graphic design- Massimo Vignelli: Long live modernism
- Emigre No 65- Helvetica article
Student action- Consider what the practical side will be, maybe look into redesigning classic examples of graphic design from a purely 'form follows function' or a publication.
From here I intend to go away, create a solid reading list and begin research into the whole topic of form follows function.