Dieter Rams Ten Principles of “Good Design”
Even though it’s written in the sense of industrial design, read this post with a mind on architecture and keep in mind that all design should be started with these 10 principles
Good Design Is Innovative : The possibilities for innovation are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for innovative design. But innovative design always develops in tandem with innovative technology, and can never be an end in itself.
Good Design Makes a Product Useful : A product is bought to be used. It has to satisfy certain criteria, not only functional but also psychological and aesthetic. Good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product while disregarding anything that could possibly detract from it.
Good Design Is Aesthetic : The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products are used every day and have an effect on people and their well-being. Only well-executed objects can be beautiful.
Good Design Makes A Product Understandable : It clarifies the product’s structure. Better still, it can make the product clearly express its function by making use of the user’s intuition. At best, it is self-explanatory.
Good Design Is Unobtrusive : Products fulfilling a purpose are like tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for the user’s self-expression.
Good Design Is Honest : It does not make a product more innovative, powerful or valuable than it really is. It does not attempt to manipulate the consumer with promises that cannot be kept
Good Design Is Long-lasting : It avoids being fashionable and therefore never appears antiquated. Unlike fashionable design, it lasts many years – even in today’s throwaway society.
Good Design Is Thorough Down to the Last Detail : Nothing must be arbitrary or left to chance. Care and accuracy in the design process show respect towards the consumer.
Good Design Is Environmentally Friendly : Design makes an important contribution to the preservation of the environment. It conserves resources and minimises physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.
Good Design Is as Little Design as Possible : Less, but better – because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.
German industrial designer Dieter Rams and his ten principles of “good design”. The straightforward list lays down key points, clearly stating what makes a good design. This information is a timeless source of inspiration that most any designer can appreciate.
Source: archdaily.com
Keep calm and CAD
FINALLY, a movie about architecture studio - ARCHICLUTURE
2 architects-turned-filmmakers turn the camera on the arch studio following 5 thesis students - posts on documentary, film, architecture, tech, Brooklyn, NYC.
This is a feature-length documentary that explores the role that architecture and design play in our daily lives. The film follows five architecture students through their final senior design projects in order to shed light on the critical issues impacting our built environment.
This is something to look forward in 2012. Keep up with their twitter page
Also check out this list from Archinect -
Top 10 Design Initiatives to Watch in 2012—for the public good
Designer People on Zaha Hadid
Top 20 reasons to be an architect
You know those videos on youtube “how to architect“…well, the creator, Mr.Doug Patt is on Tumblr now (@nice to have you around Sir) and he wrights about (another, of many many lists around)…
…Top 20 reasons to be an architect
1. It’s a noble pursuit. It takes years of study and hard work to be a reputable professional.
2. Architecture is prodigious. It is a noun and verb, an object and action. It is ubiquitous. It’s what we make, use and admire. It is everything and nothing and we get to be a part.
3. If it motivates you, architecture involves a wide array of learning and skills: philosophy, sociology, psychology, material science, engineering, mathematics, history, construction, reading, writing, and drawing.
4. The work has a massive impact on the creator. To stand in front of a building and be the reason it exists is rewarding.
5. The impact of a building is like momentum in a sporting event. You can’t see it, but you know it’s there.
6. Architects are generally creative every day. They may not design, but they use their minds more than most.
7. Architecture is a source of fascination. It is mythologized. It makes great dinner party conversation.
8. You have the power to inspire.
9. Architects work with people. If you don’t like people there are ways to hide too.
10. Architecture keeps people safe, i.e. you keep people safe.
11. Architects are like Oz. They remain anonymous and yet provide what people need.
12. It’s a highly prized skill, not always appreciated, but quietly revered. And it’s yours forever.
13. Architects learn every day.
14. Architects take ideas and turn them into buildings.
15. If you don’t want to be an architect, but are trained as one, you can pursue all kinds of other creative professions like product design, drafting, illustration, interior design, graphic design, physical model making, virtual model making, furniture design, landscape architecture, building, etc…
15. You get to draw.
16. You get to learn how things go together, come apart, function and fail.
17. You get to immerse yourself in intellectually stimulating environments like universities where a broad range of thinking is supported, accepted and encouraged.
18. The company you keep with the living and the dead is like non-other. There’s nothing like learning from or sparring with an architect.
19. Architects make something out of nothing.
20. Architects are like great painters. They take something simple like a pear and, with paint, make it more beautiful than it actually is. Just think of a building as a functional box. Then think of how beautiful great architects make them.
Source: howtoarchitect
It’s better than Christmas morning, seeing your favorite team win, any drug, night swim… Just sitting down on your desk, starting to do some work, carried away in your music, you notice you start sketching some great ideas and writing some great things, that will make your design special and the best thing is that you cannot stop.
You put the volume to max, start tapping your feet, smiling to yourself, getting up jumping, dancing, singing…it feels good, doesn’t it?!
How to survive architecture school !!!
Attending architecture schools is an unexpected challenge for many students. If you want to become an architect, prepare yourself for how grueling an architecture degree really is. Especially at top architecture schools, studio courses are a rite of passage and a lot of students drop out. For those that make it through, completing a degree in architecture is well worth it. Here are a few ways to cope.
Instructions Difficulty: Challenging
1. Be prepared to spend a good portion of your waking hours in the studio. You have to accept upfront that you are not going to have the ‘typical’ college experience of partying and hanging around the dorm. That said, you are trading it for something that is potentially even more rewarding. Studio work in architecture schools is often engaging and interesting, and you’ll form lifelong bonds with your classmates. But if you absolutely cannot be deprived of the opportunity to perfect your keg stand technique, maybe you need to reconsider your major.
2. Learn to manage your time. Many students don’t grasp this concept until too late, but some learn to treat their architecture courses like a job. Plan to be there at the same time every morning and work consistently. Make a schedule to assure you will complete all the requirements of the project in time for your critique. Keep lists on a daily basis of the items you must accomplish, but be realistic. If you follow this advice, you will avoid the extremely late nights that make architecture schools infamous. You will also avoid the stress involved with rushing to complete your project just in time for a deadline.
3. Set aside some time for yourself. Obviously deadlines are an exception, but try to set aside at least one evening a week to have some fun, and also allow yourself to catch up on some sleep. Take a little time occasionally to go on a walk, do yoga, or get some other form of exercise on a daily basis. You spend a lot of hours sitting in architecture school, so a little physical activity is important.
4. Spend time in your school library flipping through architectural publications. Designing can be intimidating even for an experienced architect, but remember, it’s not necessary to reinvent the wheel. Studying precedents is a great way to learn what works and what doesn’t and how you can apply this knowledge to your own projects.
5. Don’t neglect your other classes. It’s easy to get sucked into the world of architecture studio, but remember you’re getting grades for all those other required credits, too. Think of these other classes as a break from studio. Architectural schools can be very focused, but the best architects are knowledgeable about other subjects as well.
via eHow.com
+ some tips I’ve left a while back - 10 ways to make your life easier
Source: ehow.com
Q:what program do you usually to proyect your floor plans? autocad? revit? what are your opinios of autocad. do you think it's obsolete
Anonymous
I’ve first started with AutoCAD Architecture. First only 2D, but that turned out to be too much of a “long walk” process. Then went to AutoCAD 3D, it was nice, but I was never satisfied with the renderings. And I didn’t know how to use 3ds Max. Then I’ve discovered ArchiCAD and it turned out great. Fast work, fast renders, but you don’t have the freedom. I am convinced that Revit is based on ArchiCAD. And if you are using Revit, you know of the problem of creating curved surfaces and sort of sci architecture.
Then I’ve tried Revit and it was nice, but I’ve figured out that is more for a big team collaboration.
But then I’ve met Rhino. And it’s great. It has many plugins that ease your work, like Grasshopper, Armadillo, T-Splines etc. For creating floorplans, sections, elevations, I use the VisualARQ plug in. It add architectural futures, like walls, columns, beams, slabs, roofs, much like Revit. I get the stuff I need and then transfer them in AutoCAD to do some “makeup” on them, before plotting.
On the rendering engines - It supports Vray 1.5 (2.0 will come with Rhino5), Brazil (great quality, as Vray) and many more.
For construction details and some other line based drawings, I still use AutoCAD.
I’ve used 3ds Max + AutoCAD Architecture at one point, but It was time consuming.
And always use Photoshop for some other form of representation, or to add your final touches on your presentation.
My opinion on AutoCAD is that it’s great, but it will be relapsed by the BIM software like Revit, ArchiCAD and many others.
HOW TO GET IDEAS
Q:<p>I believe you are practicing architect correct? I was just wondering, since I finish up my studies this year, and start looking for jobs in the architectural world again (I worked at Coop-Himmelb(l)au on my year out) , what you would look for in a job application? or CV/Portfolio tips. Cheers.</p>
Anonymous
Hey meanwhilesghost, good question,
Yep, I am an architect with a modest practice. Off the top of my head here’s a list of some of my likes and dislikes when receiving work applications:
- Be succinct. Keep your application short and sweet, quality, not quantity.
- Be polite.
- Be sincere.
- Show your range, have variety, don’t present yourself as a one trick pony.
- I suggest snail mail over e-mail. e-mail is easy to dismiss, easy to lose and doesn’t take any real effort. Hard copies can provide a chance to show off.
- Don’t send e-mail with 20mb + of attachment material
- If you really must present a lot of work, have your own domain and post the work there. A tumblr would be fine by me though I’ve never seen it.
- If you decide to ignore my advice and send e-mail anyway, at least take the time to make a PDF. Keep it small.
- I like it when it’s clear that the application is written well and shows care and thought.
- I ignore the application when it places a burden on me. ie. “please call me to set up an interview”. Yes, this really happens.
- If you do get an interview do not expect the company/architect to work their schedule around yours. Take what you can get and adjust your schedule as needed. I have had a number of recent applicants act as though I was putting them out because they couldn’t meet when they wanted. In the end I didn’t interview any of them.
- Quality drawings and artwork are good. I prefer people who can draw with a pencil. People who can draw well generally understand 3d space.
- Don’t be afraid to drop by the office and introduce yourself. I prefer this because I can get a feel for the person behind all the statistics.
- Spell correctly, especially peoples names…..
- Don’t send an application by e-mail and cc: all the other offices you are interested in.
- Maybe it sounds harsh but don’t write on and on about yourself and how wonderful you are. Of course you think you are wonderful. Instead I suggest letting your presentation explain what you are capable of. It shows a different kind of confidence.
- Review the work of the company or practice you are applying to before applying so that you can talk about their work and ask questions if the opportunity arises.
- What have you built?
- What have you designed that was built?
- Edit. Don’t show up to an interview with a 100 page roll of drawings for a 30 story building then open it to show me the reception desk you worked on with 3 other people.
- Only present work that you have made significant contribution on. It doesn’t look good if/when you have to admit that all you really did on the $3,000,000 house you just presented is take notes at meetings near the end of construction.
- Understand the current market and fair market value. After all, I’m probably not going to hire you if you ask me to pay you more money than I already pay myself, right?
That’s all I have for now….If I think of any others I’ll add them later.
Cheers.
Great tips on a good job hunts
Source: remash
If Architects…
If Architects designed highways, they would be straight, scenic, and would take you somewhat close to your destination. I mean, you’d arrive where you probably should be, even though it might not be where you thought you wanted to go. Ah, but the view….
If Architects designed cruise ships they would be sleek, and dynamic, and inspire awe as they drifted aimlessly ashore into the rocks.
If Architects taught kindergarten kids, Kindergarten kids would be more sullen.
If Architects ran the National Parks, geysers would be more predictable, and bears would probably die.
If Architects designed artificial limbs, they would only be available in pairs, regardless of the needs of the patient.
If Architects liked birds, birds would be considered more cool.
If Architects dug holes, the holes would be perfectly square, and filled with concrete. The concrete would be polished to a fine luster. Architects would get upset if you told them they look like tombstones.
If Architects were given stars on Hollywood Blvd., they would want to use a straight edge when they write their name, and they wouldn’t want to put their hands in the wet concrete.
If Architects were to solve global warming, it would be surprising, and strikingly elegant.
If Architects made cookies, they would be perfectly round, appealing in texture and color, and inedible.
If Architects took vacations in the south of France, they’d keep business cards in the mesh pocket inside their swim trunks.
If Architects flew airplanes, the windows would be operable, and the top would be glazed and retractable. The seats would be made of 90% recycled materials. The barf bags would be the same.
If Architects helped you move into your new house, they would leave half of your furniture in the truck, and stubbornly refuse to “release” it.
If Architects reworked the tax code, there would be incentives for minimalism, however, the forms would be more complicated.
If Architects started wars, they would stick with them until they forgot why they were fighting, then they would blame their Structural Engineer.
If Architects ran the federal reserve, a small hole would appear in the fabric of time, all of the coins under our couch cushions would slip into this hole. Seven hours later Carl Sagan would come back to life and instantly suffer an aneurysm.
If Architects wrote blogs, they would….
.
Alright, back to work!!
via coffeewithanarchitect.com
Source: coffeewithanarchitect.com
Construction diagrams for those exploded houses I posted the other day. This is super cool.
(via archidose)
Source: zefudge.com
