Wednesday, October 23, 2013

“Field Trip 3”.

Marlenes Rodriguez


Design in Our Lives

We are all surrounded by many objects that contribute to our daily routines and also objects that seem useless to us, lacking function. Low and high functionality refers to the study of ergonomic. Ergonomic is the tool or what accommodates human performance and has function. There are everyday ergonomics such as cell phones and cars which are considered high functionality.  The tools we utilize with high functionality benefit us in various ways with our daily activities.
“The Table Clock” (1930) made by Marianne Brandt is painted and made of chrome-plated metal. When I first encountered this object I thought of low functionality because of its features and lack of function. This clock had the appearance of a clock however was not ticking  like a clock does. The two hands of the clock were not active and the medium of the object which is paint proves that it is low functionality. Observing the object makes me understand the meaning of what function really is and how it contributes to our lives. “The Honey -Pop Armchair” (2000)  by Japanese artist Tokujin Yoshioka is also a piece that contains low function and was created out of paper.According to the information displayed at the MOMA the paper utilized for the design is also used in Chinese lanterns. A chair made out of paper seems very fragile and delicate which does not convey any function. This specific chair would not accommodate or bring any use to a human.


There are many ergonomics that contain high functionality which help us out daily and during many other situations. Tools such as computers and electronic devices are ergonomics with function that are utilized by humans because of its own actions.”The Cobra Lighting Fixture” (1948) at the MOMA by Greta Magnusson Grossman is made out of Enameled aluminium, enameled sheet and chrome - plated sheet. This is a great example of high functionality because the lamp contains light source which is vital and necessary  in our daily lives. The Cobra Lighting Fixture is active showing light, a lamp can be turned on and off which depicts its function. “The Museum Dinner Service” by Eve Zeisel shows us a set of plates, cups , trays made out glazed porcelain. The set shown By the American artist contains high function, dinner sets will always be utilized by humans. The dinner set displayed at the museum has function because plates and cups are where we eat from.  The high functionality is shown in these examples by their qualities and actions.


Art and design are very distinct from each other, both can be combined however have different meaning. A design in my opinion is shown to us only by appearance and its features as oppose to art it shows action and more than a design. The difference between low and high functionality is that objects or tools with high function help us and are utilized.  Objects containing low functionality can be like design, the design is just there on a surface with a lack action. A design can be a still object with many different shapes and we are intrigued by designs however a design is not involved with daily activities.  

High Functionality objects and tools create a big impact in our lives by helping us out during activities and in our own lives. Low Functionality objects are not that much of a help to us however we are intrigued and amused by these objects. Art and design can be both combined into a creation but in my opinion art  has much more to offer. We as humans use a lot of high functionality objects and without them there would be a big difference.




Marainne Brandt
“Table Clock”
Year -1930
Medium- Paint / Chrome-plated metal

Tokujin Yoshioka
“The Honey -Pop Armchair”
2000-Year
Medium- Paper

Greta Magnusson Grossman
”The Cobra Lighting Fixture”
Year-1948
Medium- aluminium, enameled sheet and chrome - plated sheet


Eve Zeisel
“The Museum Dinner Service”
Year- 1942-45
Medium- glazed porcelain

WCOUNT-661


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