Speaker Design: Aesthetics & Style Design and Manufacture National 4 & 5

Aesthetics What does it mean? Aesthetics is concerned with how a product looks. Do we like it’s appearance or not? This is often what we base our first impressions of a product on.

Aesthetics How do we talk/write about it? Line Contrast Form Shape Texture Pattern Colour proportion Contrast It is very easy to say whether you like the way something looks or not but it is more difficult to explain why. When talking/writing about aesthetics it helps to consider each of the different aspects individually. You can refer to the Aesthetics support sheet for descriptive words that will help to explain why you like or dislike the aesthetics of a product.

Aesthetics How do we talk/write about it? Line Form Aesthetics Shape Discuss the examples with the class. Line: What are the lines like? Free flowing/stream lined, swooping? Angular, aggressive, straight? They can break up a surface, create interest, i.e. Car looks more aerodynamic with swooping lines on body. Form: 3D. Organic, rounded, geometric, aerodynamic Shape: Can see shapes of a 3D form when looked at from a particular view. Sometimes you can like the shapes but not the from of the same object and vice versa.

Aesthetics How do we talk/write about it? Texture Pattern Aesthetics Colour Textures: Matt, satin, shiny, chrome. Can make products look more tactile or high tech looking. Pattern: Complex, simple, bold, ordered. Make a product look balanced, ordered. Can make features of a design look right or out of place. Buttons etc. Colour: Bright, neutral, natural, bold, black & white. Can strongly influence who product will appeal to.

Aesthetics How do we talk/write about it? proportion Contrast Proportion: One dimension/feature/aspect of design compared to another. Chunky, slim, elegant. Chunky proportions tend to look more masculine where as slim elegant look for feminine. Contrast: Can be created in many different ways to make a product look more dynamic/eye-catching/bold. Colours, forms, shapes, size, textures etc.

Aesthetics Why is it important? Which one of these products do you like best? Why?

Aesthetics Why is it important? Which one of these products do you like best? Why? Contrast in textures Clean lines Colour of light Simple form Geometric shapes Futuristic/Technological advanced Fun and quirky Simple Chunky Pattern Black and white colour Bold

Style What does it mean? Style in a design context means a combination of distinctive aesthetic features which give a product a certain style i.e. A combination of particular shapes, forms, lines, colours etc may a create a futuristic, elegant, retro style. The following slides will help illustrate this.

Style The 1980’s How would you characterise the style of these products from the 1980’s Common features which create a certain style: Angular lines, geometric ‘boxy’ shapes and forms, grey and black colours, obvious buttons/controls, matt finishes and textures. Often ‘chunky’ in proportion

Style The 1990’s How would you characterise the style of these products from the 1990’s Common features: Colourful plastics, transparent finishes, shinier textures, more intricate forms and textures, more subtle buttons and controls with exception of stereo where style was to create out of proportion features and controls. Contrasting colours and finishes on materials. More curved and forms and shapes, less geomteric.

Style The 2000’s How would you characterise the style of these products from the 2000’s Common features: Shiny glossy black or white plastics. Silvery finishes and satin textures. Monotone colours. Sleek simple forms with very little obvious buttons and controls. Geometric forms and shapes but with rounded corners.

Style The 2010’s How would you characterise the style of these products from the 2010’s Common features: Very simple forms and shapes, very sleek and slim line, some more organic forms too, high gloss finishes, Use of satin finish aluminium both silver and coloured. Virtually no buttons so very streamlined look, colourful displays, use of chrome finishes on certain features.

Style Styling a single product BMW mini are well known for their distinctive quirky style. How have they achieved this? Discuss the common aesthetic features that create this style.