My Journey Begins with Mindlessness in Use
When I began my degree a chair was just a chair and a hairdryer was a hairdryer. Oh, how wrong I was! I began to evaluate what is the actual purpose of a chair, you would think at first to sit, right? From where these chairs are placed (kitchens, living rooms, restaurants or study spaces), without thinking, we rely on these products to help us immerse ourselves in the moments they provide. We experience so many emotions in these chairs; love, a sense of calm, togetherness, enjoyment of food, relaxation and so many more.
Have you ever lost sense of time while reading? Mindlessly, you had a choice of where you wanted to endure this feeling, a reason may have been comfort. What comes with comfort? Comfort can be governed by colours, textures, function and placement. Next time you choose to relax on a particular piece of furniture, think to yourself, why here? These factors had to be included by the design engineer to suit the needs of the user intended but also make it structurally possible. Here is where I believe great design rests, the finer details that are mindless to us users, perfectly suited with its materials, colours and size to fit like a puzzle piece within a particular moment. Once you really start to question why, the design world starts to flourish in front of you. All of these specific small details that are considered in the design and making process of our everyday products have been used to suit the majority of the user's needs, emotional and physical.
The Duo Bench - London Design Week 2022
The word ‘experience’ has popped up a few times already. Great design enhances mundane experiences and gives them a niche, such as using my magical milk frother every morning. To highlight this point, I am focusing on the above chair featured in London Design Week 2022. Although on the outside it comes across as a funky bench with an inbuilt table, the meaning behind it is much more significant. Studies show that being on the same physical level with a child while spending time together or conversing, can help children feel safer, more in control, and more connected to you. It communicates to them that you are there for them and paying attention to them. This is the sole purpose of this great design, adjustable to the child's height, it enhances the experiences for both users.
To conclude today's blog I would like to take this post as a starting point which I can refer to in how my idea of great design is altered and refined throughout the years to come.
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