Once, before I even decided or thought about becoming part of an Industrial Design field, I heard about the high-cost coffee machine that is “not supposed to” make a best quality coffee. It automatically raised me a question asking, ‘If a coffee machine does not make a good coffee, what else should it function as, or even…exist for?’ I do not remember the name of a designer or a product, but I do exactly remember the designer’s audacious but reasonable answer for my question: the very sculptural and elegantly formed machine may not produce the most tasteful coffee, but will become an art piece to chatter about while a group of people enjoy their coffee break. The designer questions the different roles of a coffee beyond just being a beverage, and answers that question through his unique translation of an ideal coffee machine. Or, maybe, his answer tells us that there is no one-definite-answer for what a product should function as.
(Fine) Art and (Industrial) Design have always been two separate fields that seem to have a clear boundary between each other. First and most noticeable aspect that distinguishes Art from Design is that masterpieces in fine art gain possession value as time goes on, while the products in industrial design usually lose their practical value as time passes by. The value of fine art pieces comes from the visual enjoyment its presence brings to the space and the viewer. On the other hand, the quality of an industrial product is measured by its usefulness and durability (in terms of material choice, technological performance, etc.) Secondly, works in fine art are evaluated by the artist’s uniqueness in style and personal point of view, and the products in industrial design are valued by its popularity and general point of view that covers a wide range of user-groups. Lastly, the fine art pieces are mostly limited in number of availability, while the industrial products are usually mass produced.
If fine art becomes part of our lives through its visual appeal and psychological connection with the viewers, industrial design becomes part of our lives through its direct physical interaction with the users and its performance of functionality.
In my point of view, the inspiration for artists and designers working in between the boundaries of art and design comes from their most personal and intimate experiences. The common goal within their series of work is to combine the different aspects of art and design as much as possible. Looking at the world filling up with industrially produced junks that no longer perform their uses, the designers may have desired to design products in which the true value comes simply from their presence, rather than their functionality.
(Fine) Art and (Industrial) Design have always been two separate fields that seem to have a clear boundary between each other. First and most noticeable aspect that distinguishes Art from Design is that masterpieces in fine art gain possession value as time goes on, while the products in industrial design usually lose their practical value as time passes by. The value of fine art pieces comes from the visual enjoyment its presence brings to the space and the viewer. On the other hand, the quality of an industrial product is measured by its usefulness and durability (in terms of material choice, technological performance, etc.) Secondly, works in fine art are evaluated by the artist’s uniqueness in style and personal point of view, and the products in industrial design are valued by its popularity and general point of view that covers a wide range of user-groups. Lastly, the fine art pieces are mostly limited in number of availability, while the industrial products are usually mass produced.
If fine art becomes part of our lives through its visual appeal and psychological connection with the viewers, industrial design becomes part of our lives through its direct physical interaction with the users and its performance of functionality.
In my point of view, the inspiration for artists and designers working in between the boundaries of art and design comes from their most personal and intimate experiences. The common goal within their series of work is to combine the different aspects of art and design as much as possible. Looking at the world filling up with industrially produced junks that no longer perform their uses, the designers may have desired to design products in which the true value comes simply from their presence, rather than their functionality.
Saeco Etienne Louis Espresso Coffee Machine by Carlo BorerI found Saeco Etienne Louis Espresso Machine by Swiss designer Carlo Borer as a great example of a very-art-inspired design piece. Although it is not the same coffee machine that I mentioned in the beginning of this post, I thought the two designers’ approach were very similar to each other. The futuristic and eccentric form reminded me of the attacking weapons such as a mace or a naval mine, both which nobody would have dared to make a connection with a coffee machine. Borer’s espresso machine consists of a steel sphere and spikes and support (three legs) made out of a polished aluminum. The upper half of the sphere which covers the water tank inside is easily removable for refill. It is capable of brewing one or two cups of espresso. This highly-wanted coffee machine has not been commented on any pricing details from its designer, as if its’ true value can be measured not by the level of ‘cost’, but only by its ‘presence’.
Many designers whose works combine aspects of art and design seek to express their individual character and statement in an artistic manner through a product. In the field of industrial design, it is impossible to say that “form follows function” all the time, because there are exceptional times in which function follows form. An example of such case would be the finding that industrial products with more thoroughly developed and esthetically pleasing forms happen to function better for a longer period of time, since the users tend to appreciate their value better and make more careful use of them.
Many designers whose works combine aspects of art and design seek to express their individual character and statement in an artistic manner through a product. In the field of industrial design, it is impossible to say that “form follows function” all the time, because there are exceptional times in which function follows form. An example of such case would be the finding that industrial products with more thoroughly developed and esthetically pleasing forms happen to function better for a longer period of time, since the users tend to appreciate their value better and make more careful use of them.
I would like to conclude by raising this question; ‘what’s the worth of a product if it is useful, but not enjoyable?’
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