Hi-Tech Waterfall College Design Notes 1
Hi-Tech A pared down industrial aesthetic. Inspired by technocratic revolution (computers, electronics and information technology rather than muscle technology) Later in the 1970 s consumers desired efficient, less bulky but powerfully multifunctional goods This gave rise to large electronic companies (Like Braun and AEG in Germany, Japan Sony and America GEC) The style got its name from a book, High Tech: The Industrial Style and Source Book for The Home, by design journalists in 1978. This book showed how designers, architects, and home owners were appropriating (giving a new function to) classic industrial objects: like library shelving, chemical glass, metal deck plate, restaurant supply, factory and airport runway light fixtures, movers' quilts, industrial carpeting etc. (items found in industrial catalogues) and putting these to use in residential settings What was the movement all about? Utilitarian products - originally designed for use in factories and laboratories) could provide the raw materials for everyday interior design. This resulted in new items/materials/resources like surgeon s trolleys, metal shelving and rubber flooring suddenly becoming part of homes. Plastics like Melamine and acrylic resins began replacing glass in product designs an d were freely combined with other materials. Mass-produced High-Tech designs tended to be minimalist in bold colours or stark white and black schemes with and an excessive usage of metallic or gloss. The variety of design for various products were all in-keeping with the overall look of each brand corporate identity ( etc Braun and IBM) The utilitarian outlook was opposed to the excess of Pop-Luxe and Googie. Consumers demanded domestic electronic products that were smaller, light weight, compact and offered powerful and multifunctional use. Space exploration - futuristic industrial and functional The Space Race climaxed in 1969 with Armstrong s landing on the moon, and came along with excessive military developments and a positive outlook to advancing technology Scientific and technological advances of the 1970s - New materials and methods of construction. Waterfall College Design Notes 2
Hi-Tech Style Futuristic, industrial and functional Objective of HT designers = to design useful products, in keeping with focus on Technotronic Revolution (sleek and advanced) which would be easy to operate (user -friendly). Overall design unity in brands products (e.g. Dieter Rams determined Braun look) Formal elegance in the simplicity of shapes used -seen in the design of products and visual comm. High attention to detail based on function nothing added Designs used new technologies and new materials on domestic electronic products (shavers /typewriters) Units were made in modular sizes to be stacked vertically or horizontally - efficient delivery and storage Buttons, switches and dials were reduced to a minimum and arranged in an orderly manner. Colour - one strong primary colour used completely or the only colour was on the switches and dials. Good design is innovative. Good design makes a product useful. Good design is aesthetic. Good design makes a product understandable. Good design is unobtrusive. Good design is honest. Good design is long-lasting. Good design is thorough down to the last detail. Good design is environmentally friendly. Good design is as little design as possible. Dieter Rams - Head Industrial Designer for Braun (a German electronics manufacturer) He is famous for defining good design, in keeping with Hi-Tech style. Braun Electric Shaver (1970) Waterfall College Design Notes 3
1. Richard Sapper Hi-Tech Designers German industrial designer based in Italy. His products show a combination of technical innovation, simplicity of form and an element of wit and surprise Tizio Lamp Redesign of standard desk lamp Industrial design aesthetic Emphasis on function - counterweight balance system on adjustable arms makes it very practical and user friendly The arms conduct electricity to the bulb, eliminating the need for extra wires Halogen lightbulb usually used in automobile industry - light is a precise and intense yet small light source Sandwich Alarm Clock This clock was named Sandwich because in order to stop the alarm one must press sandwich the outer parts inward against each other Compact No extra buttons - design of form allows a function. Form is sleek - clean lined and geometric - not domestic in feel Waterfall College Design Notes 4
Espresso Maker for Alessi Designed to be used in the (utilitarian function) kitchen Yet considered beautiful enough to be used directly at the table. Stainless Steel - high tech material - shiny and sleek. Clean lined sleekness with constructional shapes and details left uncovered and undecorated. Black 12 Television Set Designed to be easily stored when not in use Sleek cube with geometric shapes - buttons are very understated and regimented into a controlled pattern this provides the only detailing (functional) Shiny - new material with industrial feel - not domestic Waterfall College Design Notes 5
2. Centre Pompidou, Paris by Renzo Piano & Richard Rogers Hi-Tech Style art exhibition space/community centre in Pari. Insides are displayed outside - see the transparent perspex tubes cover escalators on side of building. Technique: Avoids all reference to the vernacular, popular and proletarian buildings. Based on modern technology No-nonsense simplicity and lightweight precision engineering of supersonic aircraft construction Externally positioned service elements like pipes, ducts and cross-braces are colour coded red white and blue Aims & Influences (Why): Liberate maximum possible space inside by positioning structural supports, heating, ventilation escalators etc on the outside. Celebration of modern engineering the second machine aesthetic. Anti-elitist celebration of popular culture community centre - transparent. To create a great meccano set with internal spaces that can be altered, rather than a traditional static doll s house.playful! Colour as ornament reaction against Modernism s lack of decoration. Waterfall College Design Notes 6