Design Poll

[LaArtist]

I wanted to create this thread.. cause i feel that it will tell all our members something valueable about what our fellow members look for in a design..
and it will give those who persue a career in designing an insight to how their future customers think...

So this is what i want you all to do..
I want you to classify yourself in one of these 3 groups of ppl..
And then vote for that group..
It would be superb ( and kinda the point with this thread) if you could explain why you voted the way you voted..

The Groups:

1. If it looks right it is right

These are the ppl who dont really care about whats the hottest new trend in the design industry.. they just see a product ( car) and if they like it..then thats it.. there is really not much more to talk about..
But these are still ppl that feel that design is important.. and that design should follow some rules and incorperate something that attaches it to the brand..
for example ppl that could stand a Large limo like BMW with elegant lines
but wont stand it if BMW just went and kiled off the kidney grill and started to make Audi type grills..

2. Form Follows Function

These ppl dont care what the car looks like.. just as long as it performs and does what its supposed to..
They belive strongly in the concept of form follows function..and have full faith in it..and belives that designs with a concept like that has a beauty of its own..
For example these ppl do not care for extra eye candy like big rimms
they much rather see a akward diffuser wich is supposed to add performance

3. Design is more than just Design..

These are the folks who feel that a design has strict rules to follow.. a design must be more than just appealing to the eye..
it must have a dash of the past present and in best cases the future..
They want their ideal design to incorporate many things.. brand, image, heritage,modernism,futurism and function..all at the same time..
For example a person from this group might not accept a car that doesent fit in with rest of the line and that only incorporates 1 or 2 of the traditional designing ques of the brand..

..........

Now you have to bear with me on this one..cause as you might have noted im not an expert in this area...
So maybe its impossible to even classify ppl like this..
But lets give it a try..

 

[SDNR]

Interesting idea for a thread Artist. I probably fit the third option the most.

 

[Zafiro]

I want design and performance/driving dynamics in one package. So its between number 2 and 3

 

[MikeJ]

Of these three options, number one describes my thinking the best - of course, there are some elements of the other two that I also appreciate. It all depends on the execution in each individual case.

 

[EnI]

Option #3 for me.

Design is an applied art. And art is a language - a tool for expressing thoughts & feelings. Artefacts are media - carrying the message from creator / designer to the public / user. In some cases design / art needs to be explained - in the cases when language rules & codes are still unknown & unfamiliar to the public. Of course it is easier to use known (design /art) language - because it is easier to understand. Yet it is much more creative to create a new language - but in this case other have to learn it: so a lot of explaining has to be done.


More about my thoughts on design/art as a language here:

http://www.germancarforum.com/concepts-designs/6550-bmw-mercedes-audi-design-philosophies-2.html

Post #72 and on.

 

[PanterroR]

Number 2.

Sure i care how the car looks, but not that much as i care for other stuff which i've mentioned thousand times.

Yes, number 2 here.

 

[bmer]

I think I'm a mixture of all three but definately more #1 than the other two.

 

[LaArtist]

Me personally im no 1..
cause if i see a product and like it there is really not much more to it..
thats why some ppl get confused with me.. when they see that i love pagani wich is a very bold design statement.. but at the same time i can love the most simple thing..
and hate other over designed products..
so there is no way to say what type of car design i like..
the only way to describe it is.. i like whatever looks right to me.. and it doesent need to fill any other purpuse beyond that of pleasing me..

The second option to me is.. totally crazy.. as i am not a person who can drive a wierd looking car.. just cause it performs well
example Veyron.. i would never buy that..

The third option to me.. is a option that will always leave you wanting more..cause there are few.. or lets say almost no design that incorporates everything you wish for..
and thats not me..

PS
Would be nice if you explained your choices some what.. anyways thnx for participating

 

[Bruce]

Bloody hell Artist, this is impossible

I'm a mix between #1 and #3. Forced to choose, I'd have to pick #1.

Sorry for the simple (and weak) explanation, but if the design pleases me, then it's cool.

 

[Tarek]

Numver 2.

 

[Imhotep Evil]

I guess a bit of all.

In Formula 1 or cars such as the Caparo T1, definately option 2.

On more average cars, perhaps option 1.

On a pretentious brand, defiantely option 3.
For example BMW design has some absolut or quasi absolute musts, that go back to the 1930s.
Tough I'm siner, for example I like the MB CLS even tough it's not your traditional Merc.

 

[GTA45E]

2. Form Follows Function

These ppl dont care what the car looks like.. just as long as it performs and does what its supposed to..
They belive strongly in the concept of form follows function..and have full faith in it..and belives that designs with a concept like that has a beauty of its own..
For example these ppl do not care for extra eye candy like big rimms
they much rather see a akward diffuser wich is supposed to add performance

3. Design is more than just Design..

These are the folks who feel that a design has strict rules to follow.. a design must be more than just appealing to the eye..
it must have a dash of the past present and in best cases the future..
They want their ideal design to incorporate many things.. brand, image, heritage,modernism,futurism and function..all at the same time..
For example a person from this group might not accept a car that doesent fit in with rest of the line and that only incorporates 1 or 2 of the traditional designing ques of the brand..

These are very complex questions and really should be understood from a designers point of view to give the most logical answers.

I strongly believe in number 2 but we must understand that "form follows function" is a design principle. These are scientific principles that can take an automotive company a life-time to master! Once these design principles are understood and achieved (developed) thay can be fashioned
anyway the designer chooses. Form Follows Function is no longer a "strict"
principle and really never was. It has just taken some car companies time to fashion the scientific principles of their designs.

 

[siko]

Form Follows Function = McLaren F1

... 'nuff said.

 

[NarutoRamen]

This poll is too complicated!

Anyways, I guess I'm a mix of 2 and 3 but mostly 2. I love cars that are well designed and follow heritage and other good design principles but I love it when a car is designed with it's performance/potential/theory in mind and still can follow good design principles.

#2 FTW!

 

[Osnabrueck]

I guess a bit of all.

In Formula 1 or cars such as the Caparo T1, definately option 2.

On more average cars, perhaps option 1.

On a pretentious brand, defiantely option 3.
For example BMW design has some absolut or quasi absolute musts, that go back to the 1930s.
Tough I'm siner, for example I like the MB CLS even tough it's not your traditional Merc.

Good points Imhotep. The level of sophistocation and style of execution varies from marque to marque. There definitely is a different recipie required for different products.

Take a young start-up brand like Scion. The only thing that matters for Scion and its audience is "Option 1." The cars needed to be compelling, that's all. There was a stronge dash of "Option 3" in the sense that the cars were very aware of the "J-Factor" appeal that was desired by the import tuner community. Ok, I'm already talking myself out of this thesis... Scion is equal parts 1 & 3.

Toyota, on the other hand is all 1. The bulk of their American range has hopped from style to style without much of a common thread to tie their product to the past. Nor is there much in the way of congruent styling within the family. It's more or less "just make it work for today's audience." Toyota has never had the vision or wherewithal to go the extra mile with "Option 3." In fact, it may be an effort to overstyle and overthink that has led to the brand's image paralysis. (Toyota Trucks, on the other hand, are doing much better in their effort to carve out a unique identity)

Some brands, in this post-Bangle design climate, have erroneously persued "Option 3" when they never had a grasp on "Option 1" to begin with. Subaru comes to mind.

In some cases, "Option 2" can lead to an "Option 1" which eventually opens the door for a "Option 3" style design, if properly executed. Honda is one company which is alway on the brink, but not quite there. Their cars have always been a very "Option 2" product. But there is a true beauty in the consistency and blunt competency of it all. I think of the new Civic Hatchback as Honda's first foray into gaining the kind of design credibility that could open the door to "True Option 3" product. I don't think they'll ever quite get there, especially when they're stealing other designer's riffs (Poor Audi), but they're opening the door for that opportunity at some point... if they stick to their principles.

Why am I writing all this? I should be ordering BLTA right now.

 

[Zonda]

I'm a hybrid, 1, 2 and 3. I want elements of all of those. But in the end I went for nr 1. I like timeless designs.

 

[chonkoa]

I think I am more of a number 2.

 

[Sunny]

IMHO, trying to box people's taste in design into a few options in a poll is too restrictive and will probably end up misleading people - both those who look at the results and - more dangerously- those who vote.

For example, show me a Porsche/Mini and I'd go with 2. Form follows function. Show me a Lamborghini and I'd probably go with 1.

So I will desist from voting

 

[LaArtist]

well i knew it would be hard..
especially as im not a pro in the area of design..
so im sorry if its to complicated..
but i still think its interesting.. and is a good base for interesting discussions atleast..

 

[CarGuy]

interesting poll u created here artist
personally I'm a nr 1, where I give anything a chance if it looks good
examples....never cared or had much respect for Hyundai but with the introduction of the new Sonata that changed that
others include Subaru Legacy.