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20th Century Design
20th Century Design
”Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as to best accomplish a particular purpose”, architect and designer Charles Eames claimed. This is a classical definition of design and this rational design principle, promoted by the Modern movement, represents the basis from which 20th Century Design has evolved.
The concept of design is relatively new, it is a product of modern, industrialized society. During the last century, individuals have used the stimulus of global technological, political and social developments to design products that have influenced the look of the world as we know it today.
The first half of the century was in many ways a testing ground for ideas that could only become reality in post-war time, benefiting from the great technological advances made during the Second World War and from the force of new consumer demand. The results were exciting. The great architects and designers of this century remain as pioneers of their time, not afraid of experimenting with new forms and techniques. Revolutionary Mid Century Modern design including achievements such as Eames’ sculptural moulded plywood chairs, Bertoia’s wire net furniture and Saarinen’s futuristic “Tulip” group, were followed by the rise of consumerism – and eccentricities of kitsch, which in turn gave the explosion of the Pop culture in the 1960’s.
Product design is often an evident example of the period it was produced in. The political, economical and social climate could have a direct effect on the choice of a material, the number of legs of a chair or in which size a desk was produced. Design is about adapting to demands, and as the demand gets more specific, the designs continue to get more and more sophisticated.
The interest for high end vintage design from this period has increased over the years. Important modern art museums the world over now include 20th Century Design as a part of their collections. Many of the great post-war designers have been exhibited in solo shows at major art museums. Design is today considered as collectable as only art used to be just a decade ago.
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