“Design in Our Lives”

Ergonomics is the study of functionality in design. Art designs are upon our daily routines; from the alarm clock stricking in the morning to when it's time to call a night and go to sleep. Our style from what clothing we wear, what materials we use, the type of food we consume, and the space we occupy. At the MOMA's design exhibits, I approached two works that have "high functionality" and two other works that have "low functionality".

   

"Coffee Table" 

Coffee Tables are found in any type of offices.  Coffee itself is something we can't escape from and although this design was created in the 1950s I believe it has a "high functionality" because it's something that takes up space and that we tend to use in our daily lives. There are different types of versions of coffee tables. Starbucks and Caribou Coffee are famous for their coffee, they both have different types of coffee tables. Are you interested in getting a free coffee? Well your out of luck because "National Coffee Day" was on September 29th. Better luck next year.

"Bed Cover"

A bed cover is a decorative cover for a bed. I would say this work has a "high functionality" because it is something we still tent to use. Although this "bed cover" is plain there are various of designs a bed cover could have. It's a blanket in which we keep ourselves warm. 

"Buzzcocks, Orgasm Addict"

This poster was created in 1977, it is a lithograph, and I chose this work in particularly because I see it unnatural for their to be an iron to dry clothes to resemble a face. Don't forget about the mouths and the fact that "woman" is naked. I would say this work has a "low functionality" because it is something we don't tend to see at all. Despite how well it captured my eyes towards the image, its text is odd by the way its presented and the colors used for the overall.

"Olivetti"

This work consists of a woman wearing a hat and her palms are on top of a typewriter. I would say this work has a "low functionality" because it's something we no longer use, we upgraded to computers, laptops, ipads, and mobiles. As for the hat I believe its still in stock yet I haven't seen anyone wear them but in movies where the actors wore huge hats for sun protection. Being in movies is not something that is daily for certain class of actors.

In conclusion, my "high functionality" objects can be found in a household  while my "low functionality" objects are outdated and would be difficult to find. To make my "low functionality" objects more ergonomic I would say to replace the typewriter with a laptop or computer and the woman's hat, in order to be up to date. In my opinion I would say an object doesn't need to be "highly functional" to be considered a good design because it's all up to the art appreciator and their style. Art and design aren't always two separate ideas, they are both considered to be works of art.

Sources:

Florence Knoji

"Coffee Table"

Rosewood and chrome-plated metal

1954

Lilly Reich

"Bed Cover from the Philip Johnson Apartment"

Wild silk

1933

Malcolm Garrett

"Buzzcocks, Orgasm Addict"

Litograph

1977

Xanti Schawinsky

"Olivetti"

Offset litograph

1934