Lately I’ve been feeling a disconnect between the type of design that I’ve been researching and reading about and the type of designs I’m creating in my jewelry line. So much of my design research has centered around problem solving design – design that starts by identifying a problem and then creating a solution. Because this isn’t the kind of design that I’m doing with my jewelry, I’ve often felt like I wasn’t really a designer when it came to my own work.
But I’m starting to understand that my jewelry falls into a different kind of design – design that’s meant to be aesthetically or emotionally pleasing. This kind of design isn’t better or worse than the problem solving approach to design, but it is different. It’s actually routed in a different part of the brain, the part that isn’t tied to language. Which is why this type of design is so much harder to articulate.
But my goal is to articulate it more – to explore the value of aesthetically and emotionally pleasing design.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you see a distinction between these two types of design? And do you privilege one more than the other?
I agree, this is a hard one to articulate! I’m both an interior designer and an artist. As an interior designer, if I didn’t have a problem to solve, I couldn’t come up with an aesthetically pleasing design. I cannot emotionally satisfy a client without solving their basic problems. It’s much easier to explain my design based on their problems and needs. Emotions and aesthetics are much more perceived and personal. It is also more intimate. I became a designer because I wanted to help people and enrich their experiences with the build environment. It was emotional for me.
As an artist, I am doing less problem solving. I bought my first screen printing kit as a birthday present to myself. It happened to be a year where several friends and family members were pregnant. As I shopped for gifts, I was disappointed with the variety, lack of organic and overall aesthetically poor products available. So I got to doodling, and 9 months later, my business was born right along with a couple of nephews! Although my problem was personal at the time, it drove my original product launch. Today, I’m not solving any problems by selling a bib that says “that’s How I roll” and has an illustration of sushi rolls. However, I’m selling an organic product that is helping to solve a greater problem for the environment. My designs are aesthetic and emotional (hopefully humorous for the most part).
That being said, I don’t think we can fully separate aesthetics from problem solving and have a successful or original product. They are not one and the same, but partners in a process that isn’t always easy to describe.
This feels a lot like discussions I’ve had about form and function!
Interesting! I consider myself a creative problem solver and a designer. I use creative problem solving TO design aesthetically pleasing things! And I bet you do too. It’s not that the end result (the jewelry in your case) solves a problem. It’s the process that is problem solving. From a form standpoint, for example, how can you make your piece look weightless? Maybe you want your metals to be cut thinner without breaking…how will you do that? From a function standpoint, how can you create a clasp that effortlessly blends with your design while being durable and easy to put on? Even from a marketing/pricing standpoint: What can you design that is a lower price point and still feel elegant and of value? This are just examples off the top of my head to illustrate my point.
To me, design period, is an act of creative problem solving. Do you know the book “Universal Traveler”? An oldie but a goodie on creative problem solving. My copy is about 20 yrs old…You’ve inspired me to get it out again!
I am forever indebted to you for this infromiaotn.
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I am leading a group of 4th and 5th graders this year in a school enrichment “cluster”. Our focus is jewelry making. We are suppose to solve a meaningful real world problem, doing research and contribute somehow to our community/school. I am curious as to what problems you researched or came across. We only have 6 one hour sessions during the school year, so I am stumped as to how jewelry can solve a problem. I know it makes me happy, and perhaps making nice pieces for women in a shelter can be helpful. Any ideas or guidance is appreciated!