Photo by Christopher Machicoane-Hurtaud / Unsplash
Our favorite things weren’t made by accident. You can spot objects anywhere in your surroundings: a cup, a lamp, a chair, the phone or laptop you’re probably reading this on. Design can refer to many things, but one definition of object design encompasses both the generative process and final product.
Though their aesthetics might be the basis of their appeal, objects can serve as expressed solutions to real-world problems. Successful design patterns are measured by their utility and how well they’re absorbed into daily life. For object designers, their approach is steered depending on the aspect of focus, such as form, function, or materials.
In the video below, Parsons & Charlesworth design studio co-founder Tim Parsons discusses the discipline and examples of how the various philosophies of top industry figures interpret and apply various object design principles.
If you’re interested in learning more about the design process, check out our upcoming Program Making Meaning: An Introduction to Designing Objects offered by School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Enroll in the first course for free below:
Making Meaning: An Introduction to Designing Objects, Part I
School of the Art Institute of Chicago