Thank you for your emails and your interest. Now it's your turn to vote which redesignd object is your favourite. We are very excited about the results.
Dipl.-Designer Christos Vittoratos & Dipl.-Designer Daun Chung
Frankfurt, March 2008
the 1980ies, essay #7
After the radical reactive design of the 1970ies many designers and architects were looking for a new constructive inspiration to react against the "dictates" of modernism. Visual references derived from art and architecture superseded functionalism and overt historical references. Decorative ornaments transformed architecture and design, expressing the decadent lifestyle of this time.
The memory game, pair #7
Seafood is more delicious for your computer! Since the compututer mouse has a LED light instead of a ball, its case is hollow. On the other side we have to carry this brick-shape recharger for our notebooks. So I looked for a new animal for our computer and found this octopus.recharger and mouse are displaced by the new octopus
the 1970ies, essay #6
An antidesign movement energized Italian design throughout the 1970s. Such radical design groups as Archizoom, Superstudio, and Studio Alchimia were established in opposition to the pure functionalism and the uncritical colorful design of the sixties.
The memory game, pair #6
Some products are dominated by their surface. These items could displace traditional luxury goods like watches or lighteners.
soft and provocative - the 1960ies, essay #5
A half century after art deco, (which is in called Jugendstil -"youth stile" in German), a new youth movement dominated industrial design. Scandinavian and Italian designers scutinised tradtitional forms of living and working presenting radical designs. Pop-art and music influenced design much more than ever. Colourful landscapes made from polyurethan-foam forms were presented to displace the old living room. Cars like the DS and the Mini broke radikal with traditional forms of automobile construction and were rewarded with sales records.
The memory game, pair #5
the i-Phone
our Ear-Phone
The handling of the mobile phone changes: The microphone is on the small side.
"good design" - the 1950ies, essay #4
"Design is the appropriate combination of materials in order to solve a problem." (Charles Eames)
After World War II the large capacities of former military industries (esp. in the USA) as well as the desire to consume after the years of abstinence brought a wide range of new products. Plastics became increasignly important materials in the post-war period and their use has significantly changed the way things look. The former substitutes Polyethylene (eg: Tupperware), GFK (eg: Herman Miller furniture) and others like acrylic or PVC became symbols of a new era. Industrial design was now an established and recognised discipline. The "hfg ulm" design school in Germany opened in 1955 (initiated as a part of a reeducation program) leaving some years later step by step its bauhaus romantism towards a new academic and scientific design.
The memory game, pair #4
Finding a pharmacy in Germany could be difficult! The Germans use an own work "Apotheke" (the Greek word for "storage") and an own logo (the red fraktur "A").We combined both used (the traditional and the international) in a new one.
streamline styled: the 1930ies, essay #3
"Between two products equal in price, function and quality, the better looking will outsell the other" (Raymond Loewy)
The economic success of industrial design came in the 1930ies. After the Wall street crash in 1929 manufacturing companies saw competition rise to an unprecedented extent.
Design was discovered now as an advance in sales, the aerodynamics of planes were transfered as an allegory on many consumer goods to suggest speed, technology and modernism in general. An important role in "Streamline Style" played a new material: "Bakelite" was one of the first plastics to be used extensively. It's malleable properties were the perfect expression of the smooth, sleek contours of a streamlined product.
Today this promise of a dynamic future looks superficial because the focus was not mentioned on technology or the relationship between the object and its environment.
The theatricality was applied on all consumer goods and made them attractive in a way that everyone understood.
The memory game, pair #3
Soon it will be nothing special to have an LCD TV. The next question for our gallery is what to do with the space behind the LCD screen. I would prefer a refrigerator.
Vitual Exhibition #1
The 1920s in design, essay #2
"Ornament is pointless" (Georg Mendelssohn)
From today the 1920ies seem to be the classic period of design. Most historical publications refer on this time.
Ten years after the engagement of Behrens at AEG, industrial design was systematically developed and teached on an academic way. Elegant and easy to produce items should revolutionize the daily life. In Germany the bauhaus school and the neues frankfurt housing project set landmarks of design. Semi-finished industrial materials (like tubular steel) and industrial production replaced traditional materials and techniques. But only a few designs were realised in large quantities.
Nevertheless it took until the 1960s until the ideas of the early modernist movement of this time reached the masses coming as a re-import from the USA to Europe. My first memory of bauhaus designs is from my childhood in the 1980ies, when travel agencies in Germany were equipped with copies of famous bauhaus furniture.
From today the 1920ies seem to be the classic period of design. Most historical publications refer on this time.
Ten years after the engagement of Behrens at AEG, industrial design was systematically developed and teached on an academic way. Elegant and easy to produce items should revolutionize the daily life. In Germany the bauhaus school and the neues frankfurt housing project set landmarks of design. Semi-finished industrial materials (like tubular steel) and industrial production replaced traditional materials and techniques. But only a few designs were realised in large quantities.
Nevertheless it took until the 1960s until the ideas of the early modernist movement of this time reached the masses coming as a re-import from the USA to Europe. My first memory of bauhaus designs is from my childhood in the 1980ies, when travel agencies in Germany were equipped with copies of famous bauhaus furniture.
The memory game, pair #2
The second pair in our gallery is a redesign of the famous German aluminium suitcase. The new surface looks more fancy even after many miles in the air.
The memory game, pair #1
We are designing now the motives for the 100year industrial design (id100y) birthday memory. For every historic motive we redesigned a counterpart. The first pair is not a typical 20th century design object but it is a typical birthday present.
"Eau de Cologne" was one of the most popular fragrances in central Europe during the first decades of the 20th century until the after-war period. I love it's lemon freshness. Let's open 100 years of design with the sence of smell. A "Eau de Cologne" smelling candle.
Participate and celebrate with us!
We are two industrial designers who want to celebrate the 100th birtday of their profession. At first we will write some essays.
On the other side as designers we want to celebrate with new ideas. The visual results of our "ID100Y" project you will find in a memory game, with pairs of classic products and fresh ideas.
Celebrate with us!
Christos Vittoratos and Daun Chung
On the other side as designers we want to celebrate with new ideas. The visual results of our "ID100Y" project you will find in a memory game, with pairs of classic products and fresh ideas.
Celebrate with us!
Christos Vittoratos and Daun Chung
What happened in 1908, essay #1
"All mechanically produced objects should have not just a touch of art and industry, but they should strive for an intimate association with it." (Peter Behrens)
In Sept. 1907 Peter Behrens was employed as the first industrial designer. His terms of reference at the "Allgemeine Electricitaets Gesellschaft (AEG)" consisted the design of graphic and exhibition design. In 1908he designed products and later even buildings.
The leading engineer of the company Paul Jordan who recruited him said: "Even an engineer buying an engine does not disassemble it. The expert buyes with the external impresssion. An engine must look like a birthday present."
Behrens aim was a synthesis of art and technology transforming it to culture. This was covered with the aim of companys owner Emil Rathenau, who wanted to improve the quality of product and find new applications for them.
In the deep ornamental time of art deco, AEG's product showed a clear and qualitative appeares. It was the first time "artists" were involved in industrial process close to the engineers.
In Sept. 1907 Peter Behrens was employed as the first industrial designer. His terms of reference at the "Allgemeine Electricitaets Gesellschaft (AEG)" consisted the design of graphic and exhibition design. In 1908he designed products and later even buildings.
The leading engineer of the company Paul Jordan who recruited him said: "Even an engineer buying an engine does not disassemble it. The expert buyes with the external impresssion. An engine must look like a birthday present."
Behrens aim was a synthesis of art and technology transforming it to culture. This was covered with the aim of companys owner Emil Rathenau, who wanted to improve the quality of product and find new applications for them.
In the deep ornamental time of art deco, AEG's product showed a clear and qualitative appeares. It was the first time "artists" were involved in industrial process close to the engineers.
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