The design dictionary is an essential tool for any serious discussion on design. It provides a comprehensive and structured foundation for understanding the language of design and its many nuances. With its categorical approach, the dictionary allows designers to communicate their ideas with clarity and precision, facilitating a more effective international discourse on design.
Moreover, the design dictionary serves as a source of inspiration for designers looking to expand their vocabulary and explore new concepts. By offering definitions, examples, and historical context, the dictionary encourages designers to think critically about their work and its place in the broader design landscape. Ultimately, the dictionary is an indispensable resource for anyone interested in design, providing a rich tapestry of ideas and insights that can inform and inspire creative endeavours across all disciplines.
Maiolica is a tin-glazed earthenware that was produced during the Renaissance in Italy. The name comes from Majorca, the island from which, in the 15th century, a lot of Hispano-Moresque tin-glazed pottery was brought into Italy. The technique of covering with a tin glaze earthenware was similar to that used elsewhere in Europe for delftware and faience.Read More →
Gesamtkunstwerk is a 19th-century German concept that unifies various art forms into a single work. Richard Wagner popularized it through his opera cycle “The Ring of the Nibelung,”Read More →
Suprematism, a non-objective art style, was developed by Kasimir Malevich in 1915. It replaced conventional obsession with human face and natural objects with modern symbols. Influenced by artists like El Lissitzky, Suprematism influenced the Bauhaus school and the Constructivist movement in Russia.Read More →
Through the lens of Kakemono, we not only appreciate Japanese artistry but also understand the underpinnings of the culture that has given birth to it. The fluidity and grace of these hanging scrolls stand testament to the rich tapestry of Japan’s historical and artistic legacy.Read More →
The evolution of Cameo Incrustation, from its French origins to its British transformation and the ongoing legacy at Ford’s Edinburgh Glasshouse. This timeless art form, beautifully encapsulating the essence of historical figures and other subjects, continues to captivate art enthusiasts around the world.Read More →
“Glasgow School’ is a term used to describe several groups of artists based in Glasgow. The first and most significant of these groups was a loose association of artists active from around 1880 to the turn of the century; there was no formal membership or programme, but the artists involved (who prefered to be known as the Glasgow Boys) were united by a desire to move away from the conservative and parochial values they believed the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh represented. The group’s most well-known members were Sir James Guthrie (1859–1930) and Sir John Lavery. Several of them had lived and worked in France, and they were proponents of outdoor painting. The group’s heydey was gone by 1900, and it did not survive the First World War. Still, it offered a significant spur for Scottish art in the twentieth century, paving the way for the Scottish Colourists. From roughly 1890 through 1910, a slightly later group created a different style of Art Nouveau. Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the architect and designer, was its most significant member.Read More →
Discover how writers, thinkers, and countercultural movements in the late 1960s and early 1970s challenged consumer society through alternative design approaches. From hippie communities rejecting materialism to influential books like Victor Papanek’s “Design for the Real World” and E. F. Schumacher’s “Small is Beautiful,” explore the shift towards socially responsible, decentralized, and sustainable design. Underground magazines also played a crucial role in expressing alternative values and fostering dissent. Learn how these alternative voices continue to inspire present-day design practices.Read More →
Explore the rich history and usage of the airbrush in industrial design, tracing its impact from pioneers like Raymond Loewy to contemporary practices. Learn how the airbrush, with its ability to deliver precisely controlled sprays of paint or ink, revolutionized automobile styling and product design, providing a tangible, realistic representation of ideas. Despite the advent of digital technology, discover how the airbrush continues to play a vital role in the field, offering a unique, tactile approach to design.Read More →
Biomorphism is an artistic and design movement that incorporates natural forms for decorative purposes. It emerged in the early 20th century and features swirling motifs and elongated vegetal shapes. The style faded but resurged in the 1940s. Influential figures like Saarinen and Mollino promoted biomorphism. It continues to inspire designers, bridging nature and design.Read More →
Chromium has been a game-changer in the decorative and applied arts for over 150 years. This versatile metal, known for its lustrous appearance, has revolutionized design in various mediums. From furniture and automobiles to ceramics and gemstones, chromium’s impact is undeniable. Its reflective properties and corrosion resistance make it ideal for creating striking metallic finishes. However, it’s crucial to consider the environmental impact of chromium and work towards sustainable alternatives. Discover the transformative power of chromium in the arts and its continued inspiration in contemporary design.Read More →
The Pantone Colour Matching System is a system for identifying, matching and communicating colours across product design, graphic design and marketing. It utilises a unique numbering system for identifying its colours.Read More →
Silvered glass, a historic technique dating back to the mid-19th century, revolutionized the industry by creating double-walled glass objects with a silver nitrate solution inserted between layers. The technique gained momentum when patented by William Leighton in 1855, and has since been adopted by Belgian, French, English, and Italian firms. Etching and colored coatings have enhanced the aesthetic appeal of silvered glass, showcasing its versatility and allure. The mesmerizing beauty of silvered glass objects continues to captivate and inspire artisans and collectors today.Read More →
The Jacquard loom, invented by French weaver Joseph-Marie Jacquard in 1805, revolutionized the textile industry by simplifying the weaving process and creating intricate patterns with minimal human intervention. The loom combined advancements from previous inventors, including Bouchier’s needles and hooks, Falcon’s chain of cards, and Vancauson’s prism and lantern wheel mechanism. The loom’s impact on weaving technology and automation is significant, as it paved the way for further advancements in weaving technology and automation. Read More →
Slipware is pottery known by its primary decorating method in which slip is added before firing by dipping, painting or splashing on the leather-hard clay body surface. Slip is an aqueous clay body suspension that is a combination of clays and other minerals, such as quartz, feldspar, and mica.Read More →
A French term used to describe a variety of European borrowings from Japanese art was Japonisme.
With the opening of trade with Japan following the expedition of the American Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853. The interest in Japanese art in the West, particularly in France, had started to develop. The artist Félix Bracquemond, a friend of the Goncourt brothers, were among the first interpreters of the style.Read More →
Neon Lighting. Semiflexible, hollow tubes of clear acrylic with small bulbs inside that can be connected to light up all at once or sequentially to produce a “chasing” effect. It’s also known as disco lighting, and it’s given homeowners new illumination alternatives. Lights designers consider neon lighting to be an art form.Read More →
Minimalism is an art historical and critical term. The purest forms of minimalism include cubes and spheres, plain, unadorned surfaces, and solid colours. Adolf Loos’ famous quote, “Ornament is a Crime,” has become catchphrases for the minimalist design movement.Read More →
Affichiste. Name (literally ‘poster designer’) taken by the French artists and photographers Raymond Hains (1926-) and Jacques de la Villeglé (1926-), who met in 1949 and created a technique to create collages from pieces of torn-down posters during the early 1950s. These works, which they displayed for the first time in 1957, were called affiches lacérées (torn posters). Read More →
The Shaker furniture style is characterised by simplicity and functionality, made from high-quality materials and features clean lines and minimal ornamentation. It fell out of favour in the early twentieth century but is now appreciated for its timeless elegance and practicality.Read More →
Regimental silverware is owned by military regiments for display and utilitarian use. Centrepieces, two-handled cups, tureens, and rose-water basins are used for their intended purposes and serve as symbols of unity and camaraderie within the regiment. They are taken with the regiment wherever it is stationed, reminding them of their history and traditions.Read More →