Good use of color: Complementary colors and transitioning hues produce a visually appealing effect that guides the viewer around the page.

Poor use of color:  Vibrant, contrasting colors over a black background.

Reflection on Dieter Rams: Ten Principles for Good Design

https://www.vitsoe.com/gb/about/good-design

Although some of my ideas about good design differ from Rams’, I can definitely draw a lot of inspirations for his 10 “rules.” I’d like to keep in mind, after doing this reading that good design must not detract from the original purpose of the object. It is innovative but not over-powering - sometimes the less eccentric option is the best one. Also, that good design is thorough down to the last detail. I have a tendency to rush things when I have an impeding deadline or just other things on my mind and I must remember that rule.  But finally, that good design is as little design as possible. In all of these rules I think that this one is the most compelling. As little design as possible is quite challenging when you think about it. I know that in my work I like to embellish, but maybe this is not always the best route to take. Maybe the embellishments take away from the beauty of a simplistic design and take away from the final product, itself.

Final chosen object: Steampunk sunglasses

Object analysis concerning the 10 principles of good design:

#1: Lamp

            -Good design is as little design as possible. The basic values of the lamp are a perfect example of this. By combining very basic shapes (rectangles, ovals) and colors (red and white) the lamp is aesthetically pleasing without being overly designed. The simplicity of the object makes it functional and versatile.

#2: Soap dish

            -This exemplifies the idea that good design is useful. Although the soap dish is aesthetically pleasing, it serves a very specific function that does not take away from its visual value. The size of the object is not so large or so small as to either detract from the value or the function of it. In addition, the sleek, black ceramic his honest and unobtrusive. It is simply a lovely dish and does not strive to be much more.

#3 Candleholder

            -The candleholder, while performing a basic function, applies more to my concept of design than to Rams. I personally love design that means something. The meditating handle holding a candle promotes a sense of peace to me that a simple round candleholder could not. When lit, the candle dances around the curves of the fingers and projects a soft light out of the hold made by the fingers. In like with Rams, however, the hand is thorough down to the last detail, aesthetic, and unobtrusive. In addition, the form of the hand is a very recognizable and understandable one.

#4 Glasses

            -I love these glasses specifically because they are thorough down to the last detail. Although they are relatively small in size, the etchings, blinders, and springs are vey specific and unique. Additionally, I have owned and used these sunglasses for years and they have not bent, making them long-lasting. The glasses themselves are not necessarily innovative but they present a futuristic aesthetic that could be considered such. What makes these glasses hold value to me, however, is that they are unique. I prefer to surround myself with things that could not be easily replaced. In contrast with Rams, I do not believe that all design must be sleek and unobtrusive. Good design can be singularly meaningful and hold just as much value.

            - If I were to use these glasses in the final project I would like to take them apart piece by piece and then scan in, individually each piece to a mac and recompile them in Photoshop. I think this would emphasize nicely the detail in them which is what I believe gives them “good design.”

#5 Clock

            -Playing off of that, I chose the clock because it does not necessarily apply to Rams values. However, I view it as something that is beautifully designed because of its play on The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali. The clock is very functional and unobtrusive but adds a unique quality to the room it resides in. The design of the clock does not detract from its function, either – preserving its usefulness. It is not as little design as possible, as far as clocks go – but when compared to the original piece the clock is not overly stylized. It simply mimics Dali without becoming it.