Organic Harmony

Harmonious, Organic, Serene … these adjectives describe the quality of being so well put together that the outcome is as effortless as nature. When a design strikes me as being so harmonious in form and construction that I am reminded of the effortless order in nature, I just know it is good design.

The White Petal Clutch above expresses this concept perfectly. Its silver-lined bugle beads have been embroidered in flowing pattern designed to highlight its petal-scalloped flap. And that glittery white palette gives it a pristine finish. Indeed, when I look at it, I am reminded of white flowers and delicately intricate snow flakes. It is very well designed.

Stunning Details

This is a quality I’m particularly fond of. Well-thought-out details can be the difference between ordinary and remarkable accessories. Detail doesn’t have to be stuffy and pretentious. And detailed doesn’t have to mean ‘overdecorated’ and ‘overworked’. When done right, it’s a sign of quality craftmanship and it sets a design apart.

This bracelet won the AGTA award for overall best use of colour. It is a masterpiece example of detail done right. Take it from me, this bracelet would still have been stunning if its 5 baroque freshwater pearls were surrounded by golden, silver or monochrome gemstones. However, I am sure that of all the possibilities, the designer chose the best one.

The framing clusters of coloured tourmaline mirror the undulating iridescence of the pearls in colour and direction. This reinforces the central role of the pearls in this design. They also carry the dynamic lustre of the pearls along the full length of the bracelet. Needless to say, this is excellent design.

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BEAUTY SUPPORTING FUNCTION

Beauty is no substitute for function. it is good to see designs which make beauty support function in a very real sense. The world of fashion accessories may seem to provide ready examples of this quality but there are examples everywhere.

This herb pot is figural. It is designed to look like a pine cone. The designer could have chosen to recreate the scales of a pine cone in closed, high-relief details. This would have given us a beautiful, clunky flower pot with very limited functionality. Instead, the designer made the scales hollow, independent sections. Thus this flower pot is able to serve elegantly as a space-conserving herb garden. (I want that pot!). This is beauty at the service of function. It’s great design.

Minimalism

Minimalism is thoroughly modern. In design, it is about creating to reflect the essential. One of the aesthetic results of this strict focus on the essential is lightness. Minimalist designs accentuate clean, open spaces. No matter how accustomed we are to saturated spaces, the openness and lightness of minimalist design is visually and mentally refreshing. Minimalism is also important for reasons that have to do with better managing limited resources (Sustainability). This is an important reason why it will continue to have a place in contemporary design.

This sculptural table is a brilliant example of minimalism. Here, the unusually wide cross-section of a tree is converted, unchanged, into a tabletop. Many would be tempted to shape that cross-section into a neat rectangle but that would cost us valuable tabletop space. Besides, a surface need not be rectangular to serve as a table top. It need only be flat, clean and smooth.

Again, where we might have been tempted to sculpt wooden legs, the designer has opted of 2 transparent glass slabs. This brings more light and lightness to the design. It is unusual and yet compelling. And while I might stare at it in admiration, I won’t hesitate to write on it because it lends itself effortlessly to the role of table. Without a doubt, this is good design.

These are just a few of my precious finds. Follow on Pinterest to see my curation of inspiring designs from the world of fashion and beyond.