A Study on Formative Characteristics to Realize Integrated Design of Heterogeneous Concepts and Elements

Abstract

(Background and purpose) Contemporary designs cannot be explained with one style only and thus show diversification and even within the same design, conflicting values and heterogeneous formative languages expressing them are integrated. Such principles of proportion, unification, harmony, etc. which were required as if they were correct answers in the existing formative principle are being disregarded and different things are juxtaposed disorderly in mixed ways within one design. Accordingly this study aims to conduct a case study of designer's works that allow different elements and concepts to be converged integratively into the same design to have complementary beauty, in other words, to have users or viewers have positive emotions and explore designer's methodological characteristics in expressing formative features. (Method) To achieve this, first, this study identifies diverse interpretations of novelty, an important value required in design and also explores the principle that humans think about heterogeneity. Second, it looks at the cause why heterogeneous concepts and elements in design field are juxtaposed within one design and the examples of contemporary design. Finally, it considers the works by Marcel Wanders, representative designer in such design trend and identifies the characteristics of the designs that designers integrated complementarily the conflicting elements in expressing formative features. (Result) Marcel Wanders sought the designs that heterogeneous elements were integrated within the same design making the best use of unique properties and the design characteristics drawn are as follows. First, it is borrowing in the form of product with a different function after separation from the original function that the existing object has. Second, it is reinterpretation after using the materials that were not utilized in the existing industrial design area and borrowing manufacturing methods based on deep understanding of physical properties or techniques. Third, as the most frequently seen characteristics in his works, it is combination of conflicting styles: different historical and cultural styles or formative styles of the times. Fourth, it is coexistence of different meanings within the same design. Opposing or different meanings are expressed in symbolic ways through one's own formative language and as a result, each meaning is not mixed and diluted but integrated with a distinctive presence. (Conclusion) Integrating different elements through simplified homogenization can't be a fundamental integration method because it transforms essential properties of each element. This suggests that designers should understand different elements to be applied into design separately and find an appropriate integration method to the purpose of design. This study is expected to be used as basic data that can be applied to formative experiment and more expanded, as a base study that designers or researchers creating novelty in formativeness can refer to.