My Design Philosophy
Having a design philosophy is an essential component for any designer to have a successful and cohesive brand. It encompasses the principles that establish the core values of a designer. "The greatest brands of our time have a visionary behind them who sets the design philosophy for their product or service, then validates it with users." (Andrews 2018)
At first it was difficult to really define my personal design philosophy, however I have come to the conclusion that it is composed of three main points.
Less is More.
As a young designer, I have struggled with accepting this as one of the focal points to my design principal. I have always had a hard time creating heavily detailed work and believed it to be a flaw in my process. However, after learning more about my field and studying other designers with similar interests as myself, I have come to the conclusion that it is actually a strength in my philosophy. I believe it is important to design with simplicity in mind and to maintain a design concept from start to finish. Working overtime on a singular design can sometimes take away from its overall purpose. I love the concept of Less is More and have found it within several of my past designs.
Kumiko Lamp Sketches
Function is Key.
This may not be a surprise for most people, but it extremely important to prioritize function in design. Our goal as designers is to create products or spaces that meet our consumer's needs. If we are able to do just that, we are able to consider our design a success! One of my goals as a designer is to go above and beyond in this category and hopefully solve problems that my clients may not have been aware that they had. I wish to design spaces that are functional for all individuals and are as easy to use as possible. Being innovative is important to me and I hope to help others with this creativity.
(Levin, J 2011)
Sentimentality.
From the time I was little, I have always been a sentimental individual. I have always enjoyed different and creative ways to maintain memories. They can bring joy to our lives and occasionally remind us of loved ones. Sentimental tokens can alter the way that we view a space and affect the outcome of our final experience. Being able to manipulate a person's spatial experience is a superpower within the design realm and I wish to tap into that ability through my own designs. I want to bring joy to others and provide safe and peaceful spaces for my clients. Understanding exactly what can bring them that joy, safety, and peace, is what will help my designs to flourish.
Lunch with Friends
Taking a step back and analyzing these points has allowed me to truly understand what I value in design and what I wish to bring to others. You may or may not find similar principles within your own philosophy, but it is important to stand with what is important to you! Everyone views design differently and wishes to achieve different things. Sticking with what you believe in will allow us to maintain a diverse culture of designers and create new ideas we may never have thought of before. Stay unique!
Citations
Andrews, W. (2018, June 27). How to Develop Your Design Philosophy. Drawbackwards. https://www.drawbackwards.com/blog/how-to-develop-your-design-philosophy
Levin, J. (2011, October 22). Function follows form: Rethinking the “function” of “form” in architecture. Sputnik Shuffle. https://mfareview.wordpress.com/2011/10/21/function-follows-form-rethinking
Karis, I'm so glad you're finding strength in simplicity. From an outside perspective, your ability to stay intact with the fundamental elements of each project has been impressive and inspiring to my personal creative process. I struggle with being a bit overzealous and respect your thought processes!
ReplyDeleteI loved seeing "sentimentality." That is one thing I did not think of when writing but you made me realize that I would love to add into my design philosophy. You and I are on the same page about function being a key factor with our designs. I like to have a purpose for my space and adding a function gives it that purpose, if there is no function there is no purpose to the room (in my opinion).
ReplyDeleteI also have a hard time in designs sometimes to follow less is more. I tend to overthink but i agree that less is more can sometimes make the design better. Function definitely is key in design, many people can decorate but being a designer is more than that. Sentimentality also can help make the design a success as well as function.
ReplyDeleteI also struggled with the less is more portion because often which caused me to overthink my designs. As we are growing as designers I believe we are all hitting our stride and our "less" will become more and more unique. We have a very similar philosophy as I focus a lot on the sentimental side also. I want my designs to make people feel emotion as well. I am excited to see your future work now that I know your thinking behind everything.
ReplyDeleteI love that you mentioned maintaining a design concept throughout the design process. I struggle with getting side tracked and straying from my original ideas, so keeping that in mind helps tremendously. Sentimentality often gets eclipsed by functionality when I'm designing, so having this as part of your design philosophy is a great strength.
ReplyDeleteYour exploration of your personal design philosophy is truly commendable, revealing your commitment to core values that guide your work. Your embrace of "Less is More" as a strength showcases your dedication to simplicity and maintaining a clear design concept. Prioritizing functionality and innovation underlines your intention to create spaces that exceed client expectations and solve unspoken problems. The sentimental touch you bring to your designs, aiming to elicit joy and peace, is both heartwarming and empathetic. Your encouragement for designers to stay true to their beliefs and maintain a diverse, unique design culture is inspiring. In essence, your design philosophy embodies simplicity, functionality, and emotional resonance, promising a successful and fulfilling career that is a testament to your unique perspective and dedication to the craft.
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