Aesthetic typicality and sustainable design

Heaton, Rachel Flood

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/98299 Copy

Description

Title

Aesthetic typicality and sustainable design

Author(s)

Heaton, Rachel Flood

Issue Date

2017-07-18

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

McDonagh, Deana

Department of Study

Art & Design

Discipline

Art and Design

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.F.A.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• Design
• Psychology
• Sustainability
• Aesthetics
• Typicality
• Categorization
• Prototypes
• Abstraction
• Simplicity
• Naoto Fukasawa
• Dieter Rams
• Jonathan Ive

Abstract

Aesthetic longevity in product design has been linked to environmental sustainability through an increased product lifetime-of-use. One approach to creating enduring product aesthetics is visual simplicity—yet ‘simple’ can be a challenge to define, let alone to create. Designers such as Naoto Fukasawa, Dieter Rams, and Jonathan Ive have achieved visual simplicity by designing to a level of abstraction that maintains the essential, typical character of the product. An analysis of the contexts in which these designers work reveals cultural priorities on typicality. Research from the field of cognitive psychology also suggests that across cultures, typicality is likely to improve cognitive economy during recognition of designed objects. Psychological science can shed light on the way our minds process everyday objects visually, providing a platform for designers to create an enduring aesthetic experience in products, thereby extending product lifetime. An exercise to simulate a design process that prioritizes aesthetic typicality is described. Products and contexts that are suitable for this approach are discussed, as well as limitations and drawbacks to this approach to design sustainability.

Graduation Semester

2017-08

Type of Resource

text

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/98299

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2017 Rachel Flood Heaton

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