Design Discussion Week 6

On Mark Newson

I consider Mark Newson an adventurous designer, not because of his apparent fondness for travelling but because of his willingness to discover different techniques and materials in creating his designs. I also find it interesting how he incorporates ancient art techniques such as cloisonné to create innovative pieces, while also garnering inspiration from different parts of the world.

My favorite design of his is the W. & L.T. Shop Concept which is a modular display system that is made up of portable pieces that can easily be spread apart to show their contents, or put against each other to conceal them. 

My least favorite design of his is the Wooden Chair merely because I think there’s nothing distinctive about it. 

On the Three Designers

Philippe Stark is known for his eccentric and unconventional designs which are often more artistic than practical. James Dyson’s design philosophy, on the other hand, is centered on improving products, continuously aiming to improve his consumers’ quality of life. Conversely, Mark Newson is well-known for testing the boundaries of art, often combining a wide range of materials and techniques from different parts of the world to create contemporary pieces. One interesting difference I noticed between Starck’s working process and Newson’s is that Starck prefers to create in solitude, often relying on his own intuition and vision in designing. In contrast, Newson’s openness to diverse art techniques from different parts of the world allows him to grow as a designer, often creating pieces that can resonate with a broad and eclectic audience.