What is Theory?
A supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something, especially one based on general principles independent of the thing to be explained.
A picture speaks 1,000 words?
Image:
Description: A curved line with every point at its circumference equal distance from the centre.
Why Theory?
Theory provides the substance as well as the style. Theory is about asking ‘why?’, as opposed to just ‘how’ something should be designed or created. It’s about ideas - creating a framework through which to think through your ideas. It's about having the vocabulary and language to articulate your ideas and describe your work to others. Design theory raises aesthetics, historical and political questions about the design and has to become part of wider narratives and discourses in order for it to work. Rather than basing judgements on design outcomes on aesthetics alone, theory enables us to say why something is ‘good’ or effective. it provides the vocabulary and contextual detail which enables us to rationalise and justify our work. Justifying, arguing and questioning leads to discovery, reason and intuition. No design is produced in a vacuum. A knowledge of theory can enhance your work and expand your creative freedom, rather than limiting it.Why do we need to know about Semiotics?
"All good designers are semioticians."Semiotics – the theory which explore how systems of signs work to make meaning.
Signs- spoken and written language, codes, symbols, sounds, non-linguistic. Signs can mean different things to different people depending on individual experiences, expectations. Signs can have an emotional impact.
As both creators and consumers of visual art and design– and as participants in a culture which functions on the basis of shared meanings and common understandings – we decode meaning from signs and symbols with ease. We are highly sophisticated readers of signs and do this subconsciously.
A good idea along with a brilliant aesthetic may fall down in the absence of proper and effective communication of the idea through the aesthetic. This is where semiotics comes in: Understanding semiotics can help us to ensure we're communicating messages effectively.
Iconology & Iconography
The study of meaning contained within in a particular work of art or design, and the branch of art history that addresses the description, analysis and interpretation of images.
Iconography, as a branch of art history studies the identification, description, and the interpretation of the content of images: the subjects depicted, the particular compositions and details used to do so, and other elements that are distinct from artistic style.
Erwin Panofsky
German art historian and iconologist (wrote Studies in Iconology in 1939) regarded the role of iconology as being, ‘to identify and describe’. Considered the ‘conventional significance’ attached to the symbols in a work of art/design, and the significance of a common currency of cultural experiences through what might be considered familiar motifs and themes. Modernism and Post Modernism
Modernist Designers and architects rejected the old style of designing based on the natural form and materials. they believed the modern designs should symbolise the new 21st century. groups were made for the modernist principles like, destijl, Bauhaus, constructivism etc. The main style of modernism is “Form follows Function”.
Post-Modernism is used to criticise the fuctionalism of modernism movement and to describe the electric new design styles being developed by a whole range contemporary architects and designers. The term post modernism means “after modernism” as the design style is used in a concept way and a deconstructive way. This new design style expresses the design more in a form over function way.
Modernism vs Post-Modernism
When I think of modernism, I think of cutting edge, new, fresh, and original. When I think of post-modernism, I think of all these things also, but with also an added element of irony and/or deeper meaning such as a radical political statement, deconstruction of historical benchmarks, or socio-economic commentary, not that modernism can’t contain these things, but I believe it’s more pronounced in post-modernism.
