Monday, April 4, 2011

Design Makes Things Unique

In my opinion, design exists to make things beautiful. In other words, it makes things personal, unique, and pleasant to look at. What intrigues me the most is architecture. I have often stumbled upon web images of different buildings across the world that have the most interesting and unique structures. Here is the URL to view some of them: http://villageofjoy.com/50-strange-buildings-of-the-world/. People remember these locations, among them listed the Luxor hotel in Las Vegas, because of their individuality. Not every design has to have a function; I believe design in this case is art and can exist simply for an aesthetic purpose. Not everyone agrees with this point of view, but I do think that the way something looks can definitely change how it impacts the viewer. Architecture changes the space it occupies and can change how people experience the space as well. For instance, Chicago would look very different and feel very different if all the skyscrapers were jagged or crooked. Our skyline is unique in its own way with the unique buildings that inhabit our city. The Hancock building looks like no other building in the world, and therefore its design makes it unique and personal. Although it contributes little to the function of the building, architectural design gives it style and personality.

18 comments:

  1. I agree with your comment on how design that typically sparks interest tends to somehow alter a persons experience within a space. I think Jenna's posting about the trompe l'oiel street art is an example of this same idea, in which the paintings and chalk drawings actually change the way a person interacts with their surroundings.

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  2. Man, those are trippy buildings. It is strange that art for art's sake is fine art, but graphic design with the same intent is called....graphic design.

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  3. I love drawing from other forms of design to inspire and inform our own work, and architecture is a great source. Tony, you make an interesting point about the difference between art and design, although I do think graphic design has nudged its way into fine art over the years. It's definitely more contemporary but I think it's getting there nonetheless.

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  4. It would be interesting to see these in person, they are definitely different and unique in their own way.

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  5. I love these buildings! I love when architecture design breaks conformity and what is usually seen in society. There is no reason that every building should look the same. Those cheap and easy neighborhoods built where every house is the same to create efficiency bothers me so much because there is no creativity in the environment and very conformist.

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  6. I agree with Tony, sometimes I wish that graphic designers didn't have to fulfill the idea that graphic design has a function to produce action...that's why I think advertising design is so much a different animal than graphic design. Advertising design is more a slice of the graphic design pie.

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  7. These buildings definitely change the way people will view the space and interpret the environment around them. These buildings are crazy! I have literally never seen anything like them. Just like Tony said, "These buildings are trippy".

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  8. These buildings are great. Kansas City's library (on the list) is definitely worth visiting. There is also a museum in KC with GIANT birdies from badminton, also a must see if you ever go there.

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  9. Oh my goodness, I kind of love most of those buildings. They are definitely very distinctive and eye-catching. Architecture is like the large-scale, 3D cousin of graphic design, in that both are primarily meant for commercial and functional purposes but can be utilized to more creative, artistic ends, and that they also can influence people in a very subconscious way.

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  10. I love these buildings, makes me want to have my house designed in this abstract fashion. I completely agree with Jess's post when she said "Not every design has to have a function; I believe design in this case is art and can exist simply for an aesthetic purpose."

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  11. This post reminded me of houses that you can build yourself or have them built for you. The designs of these houses are so unique. Here is the site to check out. http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/houses/

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  12. I love unusual architecture I think its interesting but with some of it I can't help but go back to what my great aunt said "it looks like it feel from space"

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  13. I've been to the Houston Beer Can one! I'd love to see the Blur Building... some of those weren't so out there, but I've never seen a building covered in mist 24/7.

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  14. i agree. i love buildings designed for aesthetics, not just purpose. however, it's really cool when building does both. like the spire.

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  15. Those were definitely some very unique structures. This reminds me of this really strange museum in Spring Green, WI that is basically a huge compilation of the man's (the owner's) collections.

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  16. KC Library! Would love to go see that- the design of space has such an affect on people, I wonder what the inside looks like, does it inspire us to want to study or sit down with a book?

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  17. I think part of the reason that architecture looks so unique is that like design, the architect injects a part of themselves into it.

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  18. These building are unbelievable! I agree with Sheri, these buildings change the way people will view the space and the environment around them. I have never seen something like this and think it would be amazing to see it in person.

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