Design

Design [ dɪzaɪn ] (German: "Design" ) usually means the design or shape. It is a loanword from English, in turn from the Latin designare (German: " draw (be) " ) is derived and is found in many languages ​​input.

  • 8.1 Economic consequences
  • 8.2 Social consequences
  • 8.3 Ecological consequences

Term

Language History the term originates from the Italian disegno from ( German: drawing). In English and French design " design " or " design " means, during the Italian emphasized more erprobenden a process similar to the Spanish diseño. In contrast to the German language, which aims rather artistically - creative aspects and the concept of design largely reified, including the Anglo-Saxon concept design and technical to conceptual shares of " design ".

Into German of the French borrowed term " design " went through the early 19th century. For so-called " Dessinateur " still existed at that time the German term " pattern makers ".

Since the 1960s, sat the English form 'design' through against the French. In German, where until 1945 the terms industrial design or product design, etc. used, "design" as a term for the process of conscious Visual Design is the first professional world art. In the course of recent design history, he was part of the everyday language. Here it is often used as a collective term for all consciously decided properties of a real or virtual object, service or brand. Design is so contrary to the self- understanding of the designers still understood as an application, as an additional service that has to follow mainly aesthetic rules.

The extension of the design concept, its opening to different areas of life, which has been observed since the 1980s led to an increased interest worldwide in the results of the design process and at the same time caused a greater blurring of the term. The transformation of the design concept criticized some of those involved in the design process as " inflation ".

In quality management means in accordance with the ISO standard, the shaping of the production process (in the broadest sense) as " design process ". This application of the term obviously goes back to the English word meaning. The design process plays a significant role in the quality control. Confusingly, the term "design" especially when the process of product design is considered. It applies here to the design ( of the process) in the design ( the product) to speak.

Pluralism and Design

Unlike unique sciences such as mathematics, the perspective, the field of activity or the " discipline " design can not be brought to a generally accepted denominator. Above all it must be strong distinction between theory and practice, especially in design (yet). Finally, the design theory provides little concrete evidence to date that can be used in practice, so that the practical operating designer very independent in fact work from a theory, thereby however, still based on empirical findings, concepts, and partly logical systems. Moreover, in practice, an instance for decisions is often referred to as " intuition ".

The theory is therefore on a different level with design and develops models to capture or explain the design practice. Furthermore, it is striving to gain knowledge that could be used in the practice of the future. Simplified one can say that there is only one practice, however, many theoretical models to the design. The practice of simply working towards their efficiency and hardly takes into consideration the fact that disciplinary boundaries it breaks. The theory, however, must necessarily create certain generalizations or bring phenomena on a conceptual level, which provide theoretical models arise. These are always associated with "borders" writability.

Design is based on the human

Design is based on people and their varying needs. These needs range from physical and psychological needs to requirements of the human mind to the objective environment. Design complies with not only self-imposed rules and intentions, but has to deal mainly with the interests of those groups or persons to whom the design is intended to be useful. This is design and the designs are purpose- especially. In the design theory for the notion of functionality was coined. Not least because of its purpose, orientation, design is different from the art.

Processual nature of design

In the traditional view is the beginning of a development process, the analysis of the material found and the requirements for an innovative concept. In the analysis, the concretization of a concept follows. The concept of the designer already defined initial ideas about the nature of a system or object. Here, the designer selects the means of which appear to him to fulfill the needs and combines them systematically.

The newer design theory provides analysis and synthesis rather than unity. Concepts such as "Doing for the sake of knowing" or "Analysis through synthesis", introduced by Donald A. Schön and concretized by Henrik Gedenryd, explain design rather than hermeneutic circle because as a sequence of analysis and specification.

The fact that the human being among other things, a physical " sense of being ", ie can only interact via physical means, especially through the senses, with the environment, each design must necessarily ultimately be physically and geographically - to an object that is on the body act or can be detected by the senses. To design objects and design systems require ultimately a shape that is defined in the concrete design phase. Finally, the design is implemented in the environment: it is produced, marketed and sold for example in industrial mass production.

Design uses diverse knowledge

Concepts and objects that are created for people who have complex properties. In practice unterschiedlichstes knowledge or elements are used for the development of such concepts and objects that are specific design from a theoretical point of view not for the design. Most objects industrially produced, for example, require the participation of technicians, engineers and market strategists to enter from the concept of reality in the market reality. However, the design theory limited their focus only on design-specific aspects. Although the link about of engineering knowledge, sociological and psychological findings for the theory is interesting, however, technical motors, insights into group behavior or psychodynamic models are not in themselves objects that would be specific to the design. In practice, these and many other elements but which is used by the designers and included in comprehensive concepts and systems for people with. This shows that the design practice uses most versatile knowledge of different origins. The design develops a higher-level syntax, an order to act on the people.

Functions of design

Judging from a consideration of which is more phenomenological, the functions of design can hardly be cataloged. Finally, there are basically just as many features as human needs and individuals. In addition, temporal aspects, because people are constantly changing as individuals or as groups - and hence their needs. However, there are many theoretical efforts to create a catalog of functions, which is specific for design. At this point, however, only a few can be mentioned briefly. The individual models are partly controversial among theorists, depending on the view.

The " Offenbacher approach ", by Jochen Gros developed in 1983, again written by Dagmar Steffen in cooperation with Gros in 2000 and made ​​popular, mainly relates to products and their semantic levels. Identifies the following categories:

While the practical features rather relate to the physical properties of everyday objects - scissors should be able to cut well, a handle is good in the hand - the formal and aesthetic functions refer to the formal properties of products and their purely aesthetic order. Thus, the degree of complexity of a product is detected with respect to different types of shapes. The category of signs functions refers to those elements of an object that indicate symbolically to its function, to specific properties and possible use. A striking, red turn- lever has so far a sign function by firstly is taught that a large lever usually a machine on or off. Second, the red color attracts special attention and "indicates " that he is important. The symbolic functions relate primarily to the social and psychological aspects of an object and are often associated with group dynamics - a flashy expensive car for example, should symbolize the status of the owner. The symbolic functions thus relate to the position and importance of an object within a comprehensive social scenarios. At the same time, an object but for a single person have a special symbolic function as a souvenir or as an "anchor " for a reminder about.

Beat Schneider 2005 provides in his book Design - An Introduction before following categories and thus goes well beyond the product design:

With the first category, the physical features of objects are meant again. The third category is similar to the definition of the Offenbach approach. Under the category of the aesthetic functions but all communicative, informative and formal functions are widely recognized, aimed at the sensory perception and the mind or the psyche.

Within the communicative functions Gui Bonsiepe 1964 in connection with the Ulm School of Design between the

Distinguished.

The former category refers to those forms of communication whose purpose is an objective, rational information dissemination. The intention is for no other purpose than to let forward new information or knowledge to the recipient. Through a persuasive function, however, a person should be persuaded or forced to engage in behavior. In advertising, for example, persuasive functions are often active, because the potential buyer will be encouraged through various means to purchase.

The author of this article has developed in part based on the categories described above, a detailed set of functions, but may sometimes overlap in content. In particular, the functions in the categories functions for the human body and those describe for the mind and the psyche.

Functions for the body

Ergonomic features

This refers to those aspects that address the specific requirements of the human body directly to its environment or do things for him better utilized. These include the shape of the human hand matched handles or light that is not displayed. → See ergonomics

Promotional use functions I

All levels of objects that support the body during use, are included here, such as the handles on scissors that would certainly work as well without it.

Functions for the mind and the psyche

Promotional use functions II

Such a function is to the conditions and properties of objects represent -explanatory, such as the aforementioned red staining of a switch- lever.

Informative functions

The intention is for no other purpose than to let the recipient get the design through suitable design information or knowledge. See Gui Bonsiepe

Didactic functions

Such systems, which will provide a targeted and systematic new insights and knowledge, have a didactic function, such as learning-oriented diagrams for textbooks.

See didactics

Drawing functions

Objects that suggest a concrete or abstract character on a content or similar, have a design tool, such as a classic arrow or the characters on toilet cubicles. Always require sign of a previous learning process, so they are understood, with certain ( specific ) signs solely on the cross-cultural use of the same ( interpretive in one direction finger) or from a global awareness of the signified and directly as a visual reference of the character for this ( figures on toilet cabins ) can thus be generally understood.

Symbolic function

The symbolic function can only be conditionally classified as a function of the mind, because it also incorporates psychological aspects. Assuming however from the receiver indicates a symbol, it is clear that such acts first on the mind. Nevertheless, the combination of symbols to extensive psychological needs makes it clear that an assignment would fit below. After use symbols such needs such as respect, love or membership (see: A. Maslow )

Switching function

Design often mediates between intangible content ( scientific knowledge ), digital environments, or not immediately -present people, and the people - for example in the form of artificial images, interfaces ( human-machine interfaces ) or simply letters. Whenever information is not directly physically present or can not be detected with natural human means, switching functions are needed which give exactly between the immaterial and the Far and the senses of the people.

Structuring function

Because humans perceive only through the senses, many concepts require a shape, a structure to be usable at all. Thus, the units of a ruler have a structuring function, because only in that the concept evenly divided ( discrete ) units gets a sensual experience form, it can work.

General psychological functions

Basically, any shape can affect the human psyche: Certain colors have certain psychological effects; Forms are valued by humans vary and affect our mood. On empirical, scientific basis, certain relationships between concrete forms and psychological consequences were identified. Despite everything, the factor of subjectivity is very high because of course every individual reacts very strangely to forms and shapes. However, designs are often targeted fulfill psychological functions and, for example, affect the well-being in rooms.

Persuasive functions

See Gui Bonsiepe

The free application phase

Design is functional. The objects are to serve their purpose and can perform those functions that have been set by the developer of the object. For example, a poster should convey specific information, or to fulfill his chair ergonomic function. In the development process, the functions were "embedded" into the object. In the application phase of the objects the possible functions are now used - ideally for the developer in accordance with its interests. Added to now, however, is that the user has certain interests and uses the objects according to his subjective background, suggests or even umnutzt. Finally, it can be clearly foreseen by the developers do not always know which run " performance" the objects in the application phase. Posters may be misunderstood by adding more content, the content of a message be changed, chairs be used to store other items on it - to name just a few simple examples. Uta Brandes introduced the term " non -intentional design ", which indicates the spontaneous and deliberate reuse of objects so that they no longer reflect the intended purpose be used accordingly.

More far-reaching consequences of design

The functions described above are more related to a direct effect on individuals or groups. Effects of drafts are taking place in the rarest of cases, according to a simple stimulus-response scheme. Information of a poster, statements of a commercial and reinforce or neutralize each other like. They contribute to a permanent ranking of brands and now also political groups or personalities. Thus design can strengthen comprehensive processes that were planned by developers or clients previously and correspond to their intentions and interests through its stringency. Even in the pure phase of development of objects arise tasks and issues, its far-reaching consequences are barely addressed in the design process. Designers such as Otl Aicher, therefore, presented at the beginning of a design process is always a kind of " de- briefing " with which they sought to distinguish actual decoy targets.

Economic consequences

Design is used to develop products and services that optimize and differentiate: A provider wants to stand out as providers of B; he wants to striking position in the market and promote sales. For this reason, the design worked out a comprehensive design strategy, ranging from a corporate design effective advertising campaigns up to an innovative product line. Not least due to an efficient design strategy products and services are purchased, so that by design now will have far- reaching economic consequences - not only for the individual company, but partly for the entire market. Clear cost calculations have been playing in the development phase of the products involved. Thus, the simple change in the choice of materials or design of a product to save costs or explode, increase or reduce its attractiveness.

Social consequences

In the description of the symbolic function of group dynamics have been addressed. For example, should an expensive vehicle and possession of certain clothes a group convey the social status of the owner or support group membership. In the development process, such effects are sometimes difficult to plan, but an attempt is made including through advertising and other marketing measures to control such social consequences in order to place the products more closely.

But above all, also consider the city planning and architecture, which can also be described as design in a comprehensive understanding of far-reaching social and political consequences. Will social groups with low income about outside of large cities located ( banlieues ) and the higher income groups within cities, such as Paris in the case, it may lead to social hot spots that lead to political effects. Even the idealistic concept of Richard Buckminster Fuller, so easy and cheap to make by industrial production methods " houses " that for every such can be provided, aims during the development phase of social and political consequences.

Ecological consequences

In the development phase, especially of industrial products, the environmental consequences must be considered. Finally, material resources, raw materials and energy consumed in the production, distribution and even the exemplary recycling of products always. In the use phase almost any utensil resources are required, which pollute the environment. Here, too, have tiny design details - from electrical equipment such as waiving an off switch - significant impacts that can potentiate the scaling of the product in an industrial production process. The LCA provides practical means to determine how environmentally friendly is a design or product throughout the product cycle.

Theoretical limits of design

Having already made ​​it clear how differently about the functions of design of various theorists are described, also the definition of design to other areas of human activity of various theories is viewed differently. Substantially all agree about one that people-oriented design and innovative concepts, systems and objects designed to exert an influence on people. The theories differ, however, when it comes to the question of to what extent one can speak in practice and in everyday life by design.

Very traditional and well respected as outdated theories saw in the design does the form of objects for the purpose of " beautification " and improve the practical functionality. Downright teleological they sought as the ultimate goal for a final, no longer to be improved shape of things as if they were not always limited and provisionally by materials, technologies, modes of use, needs and functions. Emphasis was placed on the exemplary character of certain designs. The award "good form " in his tradition, but was abolished. In their place were sometimes equally questionable Awards, assess the design quality, especially under the aspects of design practical regularity and perfection. Frequently, these, the, unconvincing " pure doctrine " corresponding products to market.

So design is intended, for example, stimulate consumption, generate purchase requests or products and companies differentiate from each other. Part is actually only spoken of design, when two - or three-dimensional products go into mass production. Single pieces are instead referred to as " crafts ". This overlooks that design in completely private setting or in social and political contexts is of great importance. Furthermore, it is questionable whether the quantity of copying an object can provide information about whether it is design or not. Finally, a definition is yet to be sought in the general qualitative aspects, such as in the motivation, perspective, and the effects of design.

Some theorists assume a given level of formal and functional quality of objects to the starting point. They distinguish between different stages of the design in terms of innovation, technical quality and formal level. Traditional objects such as oak dressers are sometimes referred to as non- design or Banal design - particularly demanding, novel objects with a high degree of innovative design, however, as particularly good design.

Other theorists elude a concrete definition and emphasize a " special gift " of virtually acting designers who helped them push back the ability to think outside the box, take an unconventional approach and solve diverse problems. The most common and probably the least elitist theory sees in every human being a designer and design so than very basic skills of human action and creativity. After all developed almost every person every day objects and shapes that target human needs - for example, private websites, furniture arranged or even built itself or letters and charts in the office according to functional criteria.

The problem of defining what is " good design ", arises from the different demands in terms of aesthetics, utility, practicality, and other factors, which can only of a theoretical ideal design all can be met equally.

Design disciplines

In the professional design practice, there are various disciplines that are differentiated according to the media used or the functions. In particular, the following disciplines are in professional practice and also at universities to distinguish the expertise of professional designers. Even if, in practice, this separation is not so. Rather, the acceptance of interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary designers and their training is growing. -Be designers to work with multiple foreign expertise in otherwise " monocultural " aligned teams. There are for each of these areas influential designers who shaped the development.

Web design (including web design ) comprises the design, construction and management of user sites for the WWW and the interface design in this area.

232611
de