💾 Archived View for gemini.onedimension.net › thought › function-and-design.gmi captured on 2023-01-29 at 03:42:22. Gemini links have been rewritten to link to archived content
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It's a pretty common mantra: "form follows function." That everything should be designed with the function forefront, all else secondary.
Generally speaking, this makes sense. If you're designing[1] a computer mouse, you need to consider the constraints and parameters the function, which should directly inform the design. A mouse will be held in a very particular way. It will be slid on a surface, it will take inputs through small finger movements. The form is defined by these functions and constraints.
What about when the function is subjective?
I want a room in my house that helps me concentrate on my work. That's the function. But that's a very subjective thing, it's hard to say what about the function should be used to inform the form. It seems like it's more of a cycle, that elements of the form will inform the function, and the function will inform the form. Form and function intertwine to create a harmonious space that allows me to feel a certain way, and hence achieve the desired function.
Last updated Thu May 05 2022 in Berkeley, CA