Arts and Crafts Movement (1880-1910):
Principles: Handmade craftsmanship, rejection of industrial mass production, emphasis on
natural materials.
Style: Organic forms, medieval-inspired motifs, simplicity of design.
Key Figures: William Morris (founder), John Ruskin.
Influences: Reaction against poor-quality factory goods; promoted social reform through
design.
Examples: Morris & Co. textiles, Red House (Philip Webb), hand-carved furniture.
Legacy: Inspired Art Nouveau and sustainable design practices.
Art Deco (1920s-1930s):
Principles: Luxury, modernity, geometric symmetry, technological optimism.
Style: Sleek lines, zigzag patterns, sunburst motifs, use of chrome/glass.
Key Influences: Ancient Egyptian art, Cubism, Machine Age aesthetics.
Materials: Exotic woods, lacquer, stainless steel, Bakelite.
Examples: Chrysler Building (NYC), ocean liner interiors, Tamara de Lempicka paintings.
Legacy: Symbolised glamour and progress; revived in retro-modern designs.
Modernism / Bauhaus (1919-1933):
Principles: "Form follows function", minimalism, universal design for mass production.
Style: Geometric simplicity, absence of decoration, use of steel/glass/concrete.
Bauhaus Philosophy: Merged art, craft, and technology; "less is more".
Key Figures: Walter Gropius (founder), Marcel Breuer, László Moholy-Nagy.
Examples: Wassily Chair, Barcelona Pavilion (Mies van der Rohe), Bauhaus Dessau campus.
Legacy: Foundation of modernist architecture and industrial design.
Postmodernism / Memphis Group (1980s):
Principles: Rejection of minimalism, embrace of irony, kitsch, and eclecticism.
Style: Bold colours, asymmetric shapes, clashing patterns, plastic laminates.
Memphis Ethos: "Design should provoke emotion, not just function" (Ettore Sottsass).
Key Features: Playful absurdity, cultural references to pop art and retro styles.
Examples: Carlton Room Divider, Casablanca Cabinet, Super Lamp.
Legacy: Challenged design norms; influenced 1980s graphic design and fashion.
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