What is your definition of design?

Design is an activity committed to reinventing the future. It deals with materializing vision in the real world. Therefore its definition has to change almost on a daily basis – particularly at this moment of fundamental paradigm change.
Today, April 19 2009 design is low fat and no steroids, sustainable and anarchistic, a sizzling brew of 130% Thinking, 46% Critique, 93% Comment, 67% Revolution, 84% Fun, 90% Economy, 120% Risk, 90% Democracy, 84% Multilingual, 117% Anarchy, 27% Work Out, 30% Panic, 80% Specific, 74% Control, 57% Intuition, 83% Apollonian, 49% Night Flight, 46% Plebejan, 58% Rough, 77% Divine, 68% Dionysian, 94% Urban, 40% Universal, 74% Maths, 33% Craft, 98% Personal, 34% Illusion and 62% Solid.

Is design an expression of art (an art form?)

There are many art forms. Some of the evidence produced on planet design may be knighted as pieces of art in the future.

Clemens Weisshaar, München, 2009

Kram/Weisshaar, Vendôme, 2008 © Frank Stolle

What is your definition of design?

Design is my job – it’s what I do.

Is design an expression of art (an art form?)

As a general rule I would say no, but there are always exceptions …

Marc Newson, Designer, London

Falcon 900B long range jet, 1999, Design: Marc Newson

Was ist Ihre Definition von Design?

Design ist mitten im Leben, es kümmert sich nämlich um die Gestaltung fast aller uns umgebenden Produkte, Dienstleistungen, Räume … Dabei ist von großem Vorteil, dass das Design sowohl Teil der Kultur als auch der Wirtschaft ist, woraus manche Trennunschärfen erwachsen, die es aber als Chance zu begreifen gilt: Dass das Design sich nicht unbedingt disziplinieren lässt, eröffnet viele Chancen für spannende Kooperationen, Innovationen und Grenzgänge.

Ist Design ein Ausdruck von Kunst (eine Kunst-Form)?

Nach klassischer Definition nicht, denn Kunst darf sich nicht funktionalisieren lassen und/oder zu einem speziellen Nutzen entstehen, und Design muss genau dieses. Dennoch: Heute ist diese alte Definition vielleicht etwas streng, denn natürlich gibt es Ausprägungen des Designs, die die Kunst zumindest umarmen. Und warum auch nicht?

Claudia Neumann, PR-Fachfrau und Design-Expertin, Köln

sacco, 1968; Design: Gatti, Paolini, Teodoro für Zanotta. Covermotiv für Claudia Neumanns Buch »Design Lexikon Italien«, Dumont 2002

What is your definition of design?

It is to shape or build something in order for it to fulfil a function. This can be purely functional (a jet engine or shovel, form follows only function) or tries to present/express itself attractive to the eye (a Louis XV fauteuil or Sottsass vase)

Is design an expression of art (an art form?)

If it is not fulfilling uniquely a function, yes. The word design, as we understand it today, was in most languages labelled “decorative arts”, it meant to add creativity (mostly decoration) to a functional object and that is in a broader sense an art form.

Rolf Sachs, Designer, London

Rolf Sachs, Shelter for Bees, 2008

Bild via Dezeen weiter »

What is your definition of design?

Design is giving form to an idea with a specific purpose in mind.

Is design an expression of art (an art form?)

At its best – if idea, form and purpose merge – design can be seen as an art form.

Robert Thiemann, Editor of FRAME Magazine, Amsterdam

Konstantin Gricic: Miura, stapelbarer Barhocker für Plank, Designpreis 2007 silber. Jurymitglied Robert Thiemann schreibt in der Laudatio: »Ein gewöhnlicher Barhocker ist gegen Miura ein Sammelsurium aus Komponenten und Materialien.«

What is your definition of design?

interesting, problem solving, about people, art, passion, honest.

Is design an expression of art (an art form?)

possibly yes but not all.

Arik Levy, Designer, Paris

Rock_wood 2007 © Arik Levy / Ldesign, Paris

What is your definition of design?

- Plan
- Goal / Target

In scientific research and university education design is used as a synonym for “research plan”.
The design describes under which conditions the material, the person, and the behaviour will be examined.
Every step, each alternative will be described. A previously very well stipulated research design is necessary to make afterwards scientific conclusions from the observed research measurements. The research of Gregor Mendel regarding the heritable qualifications of peas is a good example.

Is design an expression of art?

- Knowledge
- Ability
- Trade

It is the process or product of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses or emotions. It encompasses a diverse range of human activities, creations and modes of expression, including music and literature. The meaning of art is explored in a branch of philosophy known as Aesthetics.

Ernest Mourmans, The Gallery Mourmans, Lanaken

Ettore Sottsass, Entwurfsskizze für das Mourmans-Haus in Lanaken

Bild via storiesofhouses: »Sottsass made a sketch of the house which seems to show how to build the mind of the collector.«“

What is your definition of design?

problem-solving

Is design an expression of art (an art form?)

no

Sophie Lovell, Autorin, Berlin

Auszug aus Sophie Lovells Buch »Limited Edition«, © Birkhäuser 2009

What is your definition of design? and: Is design an expression of art (an art form?)

Design is multiple and accessible
Art is singular and rare
Design Art is multiple and rare

Ross Lovegrove, Designer, London

Ross Lovegrove: Liquid Table Trilobal, 2007 © Ross Lovegrove studio, London

What is your definition of design?

Design is a strategy to balance the different factors involved in the creation of form, such as function, economy, construction, emotion, etc.
This balance can be highly subjective or strive for timelessnes. It can make the usual things look unexpected, or the unusual things look very normal.

Is design an expression of art (an art form?)

Design is a way to develop form just like art, but with other means and purposes. If both disciplines come close to each other, it should not mean that they are identical, as this would dissolve the creative tension between them, which has always been a source of inspiration for both designers and artists.

Alexander von Vegesack, Direktor des Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein

Architekt: Frank Gehry, Foto: Thomas Dix © Vitra Design Museum