Term: Design Classic – A product that serves as a standard of its time, that has been manufactured industrially and has timeless appeal.
- Regardless in what year or time period it still remains at a high standard.
- A classic design is instantly recognisable and will provoke
Vespa 98 – Visit the History of the Vespa different emotional responses.
- These could include: desire to need or want it, ‘wow’ factor (innovation), nostalgia, ‘like’ or ‘hate’, etc
- Often referred to as “iconic”,
- the longevity of classic designs suggests quality,
Levi’s 501 Visit the history of Levi’s - the continued demand for such products is not dependent on heavy marketing or advertising,
- although this often takes place to reinforce the status and remind new generations of consumers of the intrinsic value of the classic design.
- the longevity of classic designs suggests quality,
- The design is often widely imitated, usually with cheaper versions,
- so this reinforces the status of the original design and its “pioneering” concept.
- The classic design may no longer be needed as a functional object or it may become technologically obsolete.
- However, it may still sell very small numbers although it may no longer be viable to produce it commercially.
- In such circumstances the resale value of existing products increases enormously as the number of products available lessens over time.
- Such products become very collectable
$6000 Matchbox Car – Visit the Matchbox Car Museum - and have investment value, for example, classic cars.
- Other products may not intrinsically be worth much money but are valuable to certain owners or collectors, such as toys that have been used and are in poor condition.
- For many centuries prior to the Industrial Revolution, “classic” evoked thoughts of artistry and craft skills, for example, classical architecture and furniture. The advent of mass production and “designing for the masses” often meant a reduction in quality of products and poor design. However, once mass production techniques became more established some designers embraced the opportunities offered by the new techniques and materials as a way of providing people with well-designed products at an affordable price due to the cost-effectiveness of production. No longer was classic design the preserve of the elite in society.
- The Design Museum has a good coverage of designers and designs that have shaped our lives.
- British Post celebrates ‘British Classic and Iconic Designs‘
- 50 Iconic designs
Characteristics of a Classic Design
Image
Term: Within the context of classic design, image relates to the instantly recognizable aesthetics of a particular product. For example, the shape of a Coca-Cola bottle, or the shape of a Volkswagen Beetle motor car.
- Image makes a classic design instantly recognisable and provokes emotional reactions
- highly recognisable aesthetics
- representation of an external form
- evokes emotional attachment
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Status
Term: Products considered as classic designs often increase in value and can project a certain status as they become more desirable. The ownership of a classic design can increase the perceived status of an individual.
- A classic design can indicate the status (social position) of an individual.
- Increase in the perceived status of a person.
- Connections with the elite class
- Conveys a feeling of satisfaction.
- A feeling of owning a rarity.
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Culture
Term: In the context of classic design, culture plays an important part. They often reflect cultural influences and mark transition points within a particular culture. The culture of concern may be national, religious or a sub-culture, such as a particular youth culture or movement.
Design classics can reflect cultural influences.
- It may be a national or religious cultural influence.
- Vegemite is strongly associated with Australia. Even the advertising Jingle is a cultural icon.
- It may concern a sub-culture such as a particular youth culture or movement.
- For example UK Skinheads’ footwear were Dr Martens boots with its yellow stitching.
- Evokes emotional attachment
- Nostalgia
- A sense of belonging
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Obsolescence
Term: This is the stage in a product life cycle where the product is no longer needed even though it functions as well as it did when first manufactured. Classic designs tend to transcend obsolescence and become desired objects long after they have ceased to be manufactured.
- Obsolescence is something becoming obsolete or of no longer any use. Consumer electronics such as your mobile phone often fall into this category. Many people will replace there mobile within a few years.
- A classic design defies (transcend) obsolescence.
- It is timeless
- It is still a desired object long after they have ceased to be manufactured.
- A classic design transcends (goes beyond) its original function.
- Its unchanging (or minutely changed) design spans time.
Mass production
- Mass production contributes to a product reaching classic design status such as the VW shown below or the Bic Pen.
- being mass-produced spanning decades leads to it being ever present or omnipresent.
- Mass-production made cars affordable (due to economies of scale) so it sold well.
- Mass-production made them easily available.
- Its simple design (and mechanics) lent itself to mass production.
Ubiquitous/Omnipresence
Term: Omnipresence – In the context of classic design, a product that is omnipresent has existed and been in circulation for a long time.
Term: Ubiquitous – In the context of classic design, a product that is ubiquitous is one that can be found almost everywhere. For example, a mobile phone.
- A classic design often has a constant presence, or omnipresence, in a rapidly changing context and has been in constant circulation.
Dominant Design
Term: The design contains those implicit features of a product that are recognized as essential by a majority of manufacturers and purchasers.
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- For example Coca-cola – the shape of the bottle, the font and red colour.
- Classic designs that are also dominant designs in the marketplace are difficult to change them.
- because it is popular or omni-presencent
- those that have defied obsolescence and have been a round a long time tend to have emotional attachments
- Nostalgia
- Dominant design has been around a while, if it changes not so recognisable and the company could risk profits
The “QWERTY” keyboard layout was specifically designed (to make people inefficient) to replace the flaws of the mechanical typewriter by changing the order of the letters on the keyboard. Now it is recognised as well used worldwide and preferred over the more logical and formal keyboard layouts. By the way, did you know that you can type faster one handed than on a QWERTY keyboard.
Activity
- Choose two products that you consider to be classic designs.
- Write a sentence or two why you consider it to be classic.
- Include an image.
- Add it to the Padlet “Classic Designs“
- Look the ToK and IM statements below.
- Find a classic design that you think that evokes an emotion in one culture but maybe not in another culture or in the same culture.
- Include an image.
- Write a sentence why.
- Add it to the Padlet “Classic Design and emotions”
International Mindedness:
Classic designs are often recognized across culture and hold iconic status.
Theory of Knowledge:
Classic design often appeals to our emotions. Are emotions universal?
Something Extra ….
- Essay on Emotion and Design
- Book on Emotional Design