Arts and crafts of design-Myths and Reality

Art and craft of design:Myths and reality Jayasree K G 1st year ID

Introduction Design as no specific definitions. The definition of design varies according to the field or activity it is referring to .We can derive different viewpoints on the definition of design .It is very vast.

Since the word design has many definitions based on contexts, the aspect of art and craft of design also vary with respect to the skill and aesthetic sensitivity of individuals.

Arts, crafts and design are the three words which are so familiar to us yet very difficult to understand the essence of them. Arts, crafts and design as individual areas are more familiar to our society since each one of them developed in course of time. All the three mentioned fields are deeply rooted in our traditions although we consider arts and crafts to be more closely related to the traditions of a particular region or society. Arts and crafts are normally considered to be the most traditional forms since they have been developed in search of aesthetic decorations and design. Although design and the art of designing had existed since the beginning of human society, it is taken so casual or for granted that everyone seems to forget the fact that design is also evolved as a result of the continuous interaction with the environment and traditions particular to a society.

The reason for design being considered as different from arts and crafts is a major issue. It resulted in lowering the quality of design as a whole. There are various reasons for this apart from the attitudes of people. We can see that various design movements were emerged as a reaction to this phenomenon; the most notable design movements being the Arts and Crafts movement, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Bauhaus etc. The most important aspect that we can find common in all these design movements is that they are post industrialisation design movements. This does not mean that there were no design movements in pre industrialisation. But the fact is that prior to industrialisation, design didn't have an autonomous existence; it was indivisible from Fine Art or Craft.

There are various factors which contributed in making all these three fields i.e. Arts, crafts and design inter dependent.

Pre industrialisation Prior to industrialisation, the markets which were being catered were small and aristocratic in nature. Since the products and buildings are to be of aristocratic order and taste they were designed by artists, architects, craftsmen .The end product or building was as a result of the combined effort of all these talented people skilled in different fields. The products or the designs were commissioned, custom-made, exclusive, and elitist. Each and every product, its design and detailing had been carefully done according to the demand of the client. The materials used were also luxurious costly and rare. Since most of the designs prior to industrialisation, whether it be products or buildings were particular for a client who would be most probably an aristocrat and so the design would have to reflect the personality of the client and his attitudes and tastes.

St.Marks Venice(1063-73)We can find that the architecture as well as design had been aristocratic in nature.

Industrial revolution Industrial revolution became the turning point in the history in all fields particularly in design with the invention of mechanical processes of production, invention of new materials like glass and steel, usage of cast iron and steel as building material etc. It became very easy and cheap to mass produce products.

Post industrialisation Post industrialisation is a very important time period in terms of design. Public became aware of the dullness of “box” designs. But the technological advancement was something which should not be discarded. So the creative people, the designers started thinking of the revival and the need of revival of arts and crafts in design. At the same time due to the technological advancement the designs could reach the large, middle-class market which appealed to bankers, merchants, and industrialists simultaneously. We can find that the products designed in post industrial period are mostly economical and mass produced using practical materials. But how far these post industrialisation movements could revive the traditional arts and crafts is a matter of debate.

Bauhaus School which started as a reaction to industrialisation with the aim to revive the arts and crafts in design. But the fact is that unfortunately the design movement could hardly do anything to revive the traditional arts and crafts in design.

Art, crafts and design in contemporary society There are various issues related to crafts also. Any profession which requires skilled work can be called as a craft. Crafts generally is considered to be traditional and which is passed on by generations. We can find a unique kind of profession or skilled work particular to each region in the world. Craft of a particular region is developed based on the availability of raw materials and the technology of that region. By the word “crafts” we generally mean handicrafts. Handicrafts are the crafts which are made or

Contemporary Indian Architecture designs has nothing to do with the traditions of India .It is purely inspired from the west

done completely by hands. This category of crafts requires special skills. Generally the reason for ’only’ handicrafts being considered as crafts is that it is the only skilled work which has undergone a very little change in course of time. All the other kinds of skilled works which actually come under the category of crafts have developed or have become mechanised. With industrialisation and commercialisation these skilled works has been industrialised and commercialised. This might be one of the reasons for the crafts being contracted to handicrafts.

Art and craft of design in India In India creativity and innovations in design is evident right from the prehistoric times. In course of time several advancements have been taken place in the design aspect in every fields whether it be in Architecture or product design. But the most striking feature we can find in design in India is that it is deeply rooted in traditions and culture specific to a region .India is the land of diversity and so the design. If we consider a particular piece of product, an artwork and a sculpture specific to a region, we can find something in common to all those pieces. Especially if we consider India as a context, we can’t deny the fact that the culture, language, traditions, religion, geography and climate played crucial roles in developing what we call “vernacular” design of a particular region.

The influence of western technology and materials has enabled in creating an image of Indian culture also.

In India the field of design and the art and craft aspect of it had been always in harmony .We could find the fine detailing ,art and craftsmanship with aesthetic perfection even in the most functional piece of design .Similarly we could also find a utilitarian purpose even in the most aesthetic art or craft work. This had been one of the ideal most situations where art, craft and design was in perfect harmony and the designer was always well versed with all the stages of design: right from the designing part to the production and marketing. There are many reasons for it. We can find that Arts and crafts have been transferred from generations to generations. In most of the cases the community and the caste Wood inlay work(Traditional system in India have developed based on the kind of skilled work Indian craft which is aesthetically the members are doing. Different kinds of weavers, pot makers, as well as functionally efficient) painters…there are many kinds of handicrafts in our country.

But most of these traditional crafts are on the verge of extinction due to the poor availability of resources like genuine raw materials, migration, influence of European and American markets and products etc. Another major problem faced by the traditional designers are that they are overpowered by the so called “designers” and the corporate business group who are cunning enough to convince the craftsmen that what they produce is of inferior value which will make them sell their products in cheaper

prices which the corporate group will get the while control over them. From this we can see that the problem is not only with the attitudes of the people preferring the western design but the people are made to believe that what we have carried from generations to generations as our traditional arts and crafts are crap!

References History of design styles: http://www.techitoutuk.com/knowledge/designhistory/historyods.h tml Arts and crafts movement: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arts_and_Crafts_movement http://www.katsclass.com/10760/designwk02.htm India by design: Indian Express, New Delhi, Sunday April 08 2012