Balancing Function and Aesthetic Design

It is said that “form follows function,” now is this the way we should look at things or maybe
should we look at things as how to balance aesthetics and functionality in designs.

People in design professions all propose their ideas differently. This essay takes a look into
different professions and how each profession uses elements of design in different ways.
Designing using the elements of function and aesthetics principles in the works they do in the
environment. While assuming that a balance is the best, and what people need to know is how
to balance them.

The design process includes meeting with the client, an articulation of functional and
aesthetic design objectives, a site analysis, an assessment of the existing plant inventory, and
an informal conceptual plan. Clients are kept informed of progress and involved at every step
of the design process.
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While designing in these different fields and professions there are models to
a spectrum, to visualize the

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design. The diagramBalance Bal-
relationship between aesthetics and functionality in design. It is a useful way of
demonstrating the new standard of represents how to produce
visual design elements that combine aesthetic richness with functional richness.
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richness is defined as function of beauty, attractiveness, emotional depth,

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and visual impact and functional richness equates to usefulness, which is easy to
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of these to qualities
of design. It also reveals several really important aspects of design and sheds light
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Drawing on some of the basic principles of design which designers take elements

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aesthetics and functionality play an important role in the design itself. This essay
how important it is to combine function balance. While
they are both equally important, but the definitely need a balance of both, because
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if you lean more one way or the other the public views may welcome one group
while scare the other groups away. When looking at research and reflecting on the

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different points of view it shows that different professions go about the design
differently.

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Art:

Art as a genre has to function as a way for communication

using the form of aesthetics.

In this profession it is a view that aesthetics play a greater

role in the designs than the actual function of most pieces of
artwork. It is also argued that the function of the practice of
art is just as important as aesthetics in the informal institution
of the art world promotes.

There is a development in terms of art that believes that

function of art performs, specifically to the aesthetic
experience the piece has.
Graphic Art:

Graphic design focuses on visual communication and presentation.

Graphically designing uses a number of different combinations of symbols,
images, and words to create a visual representation of ideas and messages.
Graphic designer uses typography, visual arts, and page layout techniques to
produce the final piece of artwork.

Most designers look at ‘design versus usability’. The argument generally

revolves around the relative qualities of aesthetics and function, the looks of a
design and how a design works.

Visual design is a discipline that applies graphical techniques to solve a

communication problem, whereas art uses many of the same skills for designs.
As for websites they can and should be both visually appealing and easy to use.
Interior Spaces:

The design of interior spaces and the elements can be created and updated
to reflect popular trends, which provides for functional and aesthetic
design usage.

Use of a space tells primarily how the space should be designed.

However, there is freedom in design when the outcome is artful with the
application using functionality. When designing for a functional use there
are also aesthetics that can be used for a multipurpose design.
Building Structures:
Architects and other building professionals take a little different approach to
designing, building, and installing in the environment. In offering building
design solutions the uses of ideals offer and allow for a functionality as well
as aesthetics.

Another aspect to green building is the aesthetic design of structures,

including their interior. While some buildings are strictly functional, others
differ very little from their non-sustainable counterparts, and many are
designed with overall harmony, even aesthetic harmony, in mind.
Landscape Design:

There are many Landscape Architecture Firms that focus on

contributing to the design process in a seamless way that
integrates the finished project with the surrounding landscape.
They also like to look at developing the most functional, user
friendly, and aesthetic design for landscape developments. These
elements will help to ensure the success and marketability of the
environmental friendly projects.

As a landscape designer, Mike’s rich understanding of urban

form and the social implications of land-use guide him in
designing. With his years in the field, combined with experience
in urban design, park and recreation facilities, community
planning, and transportation related projects, Mike develops
functional and aesthetic design solutions.
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“Form Follows Function.”
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Now looking at how design professionals balance the functionality with aesthetics in their designs. All the professions use

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these principles differently and after reading through the essay it shows how this is done in each of the fields pointed out with
some overlapping.

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When designing the design process is use to collaborate what the client wants and need, also working to create a functional
and aesthetic design, to do a site analysis, an assessment of the existing plant inventory, and an informal conceptual plan.

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Clients are one of the most important components in the design because if they are not satisfied the design is not successful.

The spectrum shows the overlap of these to qualities in the design of function and aesthetics helps balance the two principles
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to not over do one or the other. Using diagrams to reveal several important aspects of a balanced design and sheds light on the
creative spectrum of design.

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In evaluating the relationship between aesthetics and functionality in design it is useful to find the new standard of design.
The beauty, attractiveness, emotional depth, and visual impact are just as important to the design as the usefulness, and the
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easy use with the functional power.

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The most important qualities of design are to communicate visually in a clear, understandable way, but also to continue to
carry out the complex functions. This just shows that there is a way to trade off between functional and aesthetic richness.
While they can also be pleasing and attractive, their focus on function would be compromised if they were extremely visually

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impacting. Even the most functional designs, with instructions for assembling furniture, technical manuals, forms and reports
they work well when they employ a sensitive combination of aesthetic factors like balance, color and contrast.

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An efficient arrangement of the two elements is with treatment, support, conference and patient in the design area. Both
aesthetics and function improve a user’s life, so from this perspective, functionality may be compromised in a design if

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ultimately the design provides more total value to the user through its enhanced aesthetics.
 Bibliography

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Umlauf, E. (March 1989). Glass fulfills college’s aesthetic and functional needs. Building Design & Construction. October 16, 2009, from
<http://find.galegroup.com.proxy.library.ndsu.edu/gtx/start.do?prodId=EAIM>.

Froehlich, Clyde W. (August 1996). Form vs. function. American School & University. October 26, 2009, from <http://find.galegroup.com-
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Michael E. (1986). What do genetics and ecology tell us about the design of nature reserves? Biological Conservation. October 26, 2009,
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