Friday, February 12, 2010

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Japanese Design Principles via swissmiss

THE PRINCIPLES:
FUKINSEI (imbalanced)
Asymmetry, odd numbers, irregularity, unevenness, imbalance is used as a denial of perfection as perfection and symmetry does not occur in nature.
KANSO (simple)
Elimination of ornate and things of simplicity by nature expresses their truthfulness. Neat, frank and uncomplicated.
KOKOU (austere)
Basic, weathered bare essentials that are aged and unsensuous. Evokes sternness, forbiddance, maturity and weight.
SHIZEN (natural)
Raw, natural and unforced creativity without pretence. True naturalness is to negate the naive and accidental.
YUGEN (subtle profound)
Suggest and not reveal layers of meaning hidden within. Invisible to the casual eye and avoiding the obvious.
DATSUZOKU (unworldly)
Transcendence of conventional and traditional. Free from the bondage of laws and restrictions. True creativity.
SEIJAKU (calm)
Silence and tranquility, blissful solitude. Absence of disturbance and noise from one’s mind, body and surroundings.

Source: Aen Direct
(via Thinkingalaud)

via swissmiss


 I love the idea of this. I'm thinking of starting on a project based on these principles.

Monday, December 21, 2009

design thoughts

"While on the other hand, we have those who believe that although design undoubtedly has a problem-solving function, it also has a cultural and aesthetic dimension, and its effectiveness is enhanced, and not diminished, by personal expression"
"This pragmatic view of the designer's role doesn't hold true in other areas of design; we don't ask architects or fashion designers to suppress their personal voices - quite the opposite."

Shaughnessy, A 2005, How to be a graphic designer without losing your soul, Laurence King Publishing Ltd, London, pp. 13.