DSDN171: Assignment 8

I would argue that design today is both an ‘art’ and ‘science' by looking at basic human needs reflect through the psychological theory of Malsow’s hierarchy of needs (see fig 1). 


Firstly looking at design as 'function x economy' or as a 'science': Design at a fundamental level will always need to fulfill  our basic need, physiological,safety, belonging (Maslow) or as reflected in design as object that fulfill a need by  being functional and reliable (see fig 2). These designed objects will always make up societies mass consumption, these object also be of more importance to us during times of struggle than  'art'-design. 


But after these basic needs are fulfilled  each individual according to Maslow's hierarchy starts needing more things base on individual wants and desire, so in the case of a designed object it has to do with aesthetics  (maybe even sacrificing practicality for beauty), making it something more  of an artistic or personal expression. We look at this hierarchy and state that design or making of every day object firstly and always be looking to be functional and economical and only later elements of artistic need will be added for consumer who have the luxury of having surpassed just the level of basic "survival".  


  

Fig1:Maslow's hierarchy of needs (wikipedia)

Fig2:Maslow's hierarchy of needs reflected in design principles (Smashing Magazine)

Conrads, U. (1964). Programs and Manifestoes on 20th-century architecture. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press.


Designing For A Hierarchy Of Needs. (2010) . Retrieved from: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/04/26/designing-for-a-hierarchy-of-needs/