Unit Summary: Reflections

The refections unit of this course took place duirng the 18th and 19th centuries. It dealt with rewriting the rules again - it relfected both classical and renaissance designs, while still incorperating present day. There was also more communiction at this time, by way of transportation and media, which cause news to travel faster, therefore it was easier for nations to eplore other nations' designs. Due to this, there was a linkage between west and east; it brought the exotic, ideas closer. There was also much mixing of cultires through decoration.

At this time east meets west also meant The United Stated copying England - during trade, the classical world came in conatact with the US; this was before the revolution. For example, houses in the US were being built in rural and suburban areas, with plain decorations, small windows, and were constructed almost always out of wood - this resembled English designs taking place at the same time.

After the revolution took place, North American design became more about classic revivals than copying england, and these ideas were used across the nation - Roman buildings were used for Washington, and Greek deaigns were used for other governmant buildings.

During the industrial revolution, design bacame all about the use of glass and iron. These elaments were seen in multiple countries, and they were often competing for the the largest or best use of them. These materials also allowed for fast, easy construction (iron) and a smooth, clean, airy appearance (glass) - together they spanned large distances, and were able to control the environment, connecting the exterior and interior.

The term Japonisme meant the Japanese simplicity of form - using only line to define features and nothing else - which was first visualized in comic book pages. Soon after, people in the US began to imitate Japanese forms, as well as other popular western forms - Egypt, and China mostly, as well as the continued imitation of European forms.

This was the start of experimentation - then people began to question it, some thought immitation of other places designs was inapproprite, and that designs should stick local. Regardless of this, designers began to feel that anything was possible due to the increase in technology. This increase brought forth a new question - should things be handcrafted, or done by machine? This began the arts and crafts movement which lasted a while. In the end, however, classicism was still the number one design chioce in America.