The Work of Other Designers

You will have to research, analyse and evaluate the work of past and present designers and companies to help inform your designing.

For your exam you will need to research the work of at least two of these designers. Use these bullet points as a starting point to find your own information ready for the exam.

Harry Beck (1902-1974) was a technical draughtsman who redesigned the London Underground map. It was a radically different map to anything produced before but was soon copied by many other cities.

Marcel Breuer (1902 – 1981) was one of the world’s most popular architects of the 20^th Century. Before architecture he designed and made a series of design classic chairs including the Wassily chair and bicycle handle inspired tubular steel chairs.

Coco Chanel (1883-1971) is one of the world’s most famous fashion names. Her trademark suits and famous little black dress show timeless, classic design.

Norman Foster (1935-) an architect who specialises in glass and metal buidings such as the Gherkin building and the Millennium Bridge in London.

Alexander Issigonis (1906- 1988) designed the ground breaking Mini and Morris Minor.

Williams Morris (1834-1896) a designer and artist best known for bold nature themed fabric and wallpaper prints. He was part of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Alexander Mcqueen (1969-2010) a British fashion designer well known for wild and theatrical fashion shows. He was 4 times winner of British Designer of the year.

Mary Quant (1934 -) was an instrumental figure in 1960’s fashion. She is credited with inventing the mini skirt and hot pants. Famous for designing simple, brightly coloured clothing which revolutionised youth fashion.

Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) an Art Nouveau designer of jewellery and glass. Tiffany lamps use a mixture of coloured glass and leaded panes.

Raymond Templer (1891-1968), jewellery designer in the Art Deco geometric style.

Gerrit Reitveld (1888-1964) a Dutch Modernist designer and architect, his designs are famous for their straight lines, simple shapes and use of primary colours.

Charles Rennie Macintosh (1868-1928) designed the Glasgow School of Art, he was an Art Deco designer of furniture and jewellery as well as an architect.

Aldo Rossi (1931-1997) an Italian architect and designer famous for a range of buildings and classic product designs.

Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007) was the founder of the Memphis Movement, as an architect and designer his designs were known for geometric shapes and bright colours.

Philippe Stark (1949-) an architect and designer particularly famous for furniture and kitchenware designs.

Vivienne Westwood (1941-) credited for starting the Punk Rock movement, her fashion collections often take inspiration from historical costume such as pirates and witches.

You will also need to study a minimum of two of these companies:

Alessi: During the 1970’s Alberto Alessi began employing product designers to make original and fun designs for every day kitchen equipment. The bright colours and stylish designs were mass produced and affordable to everyone.

Apple: Apple phones and iPods were the first hand held electrical products to have smooth, sleek edges and simple intuitive design. Jonathon Ives took the ‘less but better’ (see Braun below) ethos to create the instantly recognisable design.

Braun: Braun is a German electrical company whose most famous designer Dieter Rams used the idea of ‘less but better’ to create a range of products including the electric shaver.

Dyson: Sir James Dyson reinvented the vacuum cleaner to no longer need a bag. He famously prototyped thousands of designs before refining his cyclone suction and bag-less design.

Gap: Opened in America in 1969 the Gap shop specialised in everyday jeans and shirts. Through creative advertising and staple products they have maintained popularity across the world.

Primark: Production of high fashion clothes, mass produced and changed regularly to keep up with market trends. Low cost due to large numbers and production abroad.

Under Armour: American footballer Kevin Plank started this sportswear company with an undershirt which wicks away sweat. The company now sells a range of sports equipment.

Zara: A Spanish company which sells up to the minute fashion at a mid-price point. It aims to keep up with current trends as they evolve.