Okay, I told you I would post about all the design thoughts swirling in my head. Part of the delay was due to a stunned realization that all my interest in steampunk, in generational studies, in what I’m seeing on the technological front, is mirroring what bigger designers than me are also seeing, from Brizo to James Krengel to Johnny Grey. And it all imploded inside my head, so much so that I couldn’t do much more than walk around with my jaw dropped for a couple of days.
That’s what design’ll do to you.
Those of you used to my practical approach to design, I warn you—I’m about to go all free-range designer on you. Read on at your own risk. ;)
Information overload
In his talk, James said something to the effect that the average high-school senior learns more in his senior year than his great-grandfather learned in his lifetime. I remember reading once the Victorian gentleman (the well-off gentleman, that is), was reasonably confident he could learn everything there was to know in his lifetime – all the arts, the sciences, the world around him. I’ll never know everything there is to know in my lifetime, although there are some things that we’re all better off not knowing I think. What effect does that play on your nerves? A lot.
Design: it’s science!
Where Johnny’s studying with Dr. John Zeizel on the how neuroscience and design intermingle, I’ve been following the recent studies and ethics of neuromarketing. Both relate in some way to the fact that design, sight, and sound affect us on a neurological level, and if we can tap into that, we have a key to triggering the right emotions and feelings. (If you haven’t read Martin Lindholm’s Buy-o-logy – Truths and Lies About How We Buy, I urge you to read it. Fascinating.) So, fortunately, and unfortunately, we’re learning about our triggers and how to manipulate them. We’ve always done that with design; we’re taking it to the next level.
Future of Homes
The gist of this as I see it is the combination of information overload and how to offset it – this is nothing new; it’s been discussed since forever. In response, we’re taking our social skills inward, retreating into the homes where once we went out. Drive-in movies and cafes from the last century gave way to home theatres and Faith Popcorn’s 2010 prediction of Lo-Co (Local Cocooning) – buying local and staying close to home. The web gives us social gatherings in a way that we never have to leave. Skype, videos, recipes – whatever you want to partake in is easily achieved. I have more friends that I've met from sitting at the computer than I ever did heading out to the local hiking club (easier, too!) We can now order groceries on the web for delivery, and it's still all changing so quickly, I’m scrambling to keep up.
(I took this photo in my local appliance showroom--the oven for the next generation who may not know how to cook,JennAir’s new oven with LCD built-in recipe screen. It includes pictures of the pan you use.)
What does it all mean?
We need sanctuary and a place to recharge and unwind – it’s a given. Where we once talked about nesting (again, a Faith Popcorn term) some years ago; we’re taking that to the next level. We’re on the fringe of technological advances that are so fast, it’s dizzying to keep up.
But we –and the next generation who’s hard-wired for technology – want it on our own terms, to creatively express what we’re seeing coming at us from all levels. That includes the design of our homes on both a technological level and an organic level…not unlike the same way the Victorian generation viewed the world, with the same expectations that anything can be done.
(Brizo’s new Talo line – inspired by a flower, a repeat of Art Nouveau’s love of nature.)
We also need some softness – again, the organic creativeness that satisfies us on a neurological level, while blunting the rapid-fire visual, auditory, and kinesthetic stimulus we live with every day.
For lack of anything better, I’ve been calling it Steampunk Nouveau 2.0. Really, it’s what the Victorians might have imagined (had technology been better developed), and, in some ways, our mindsets today are very similar to the brain rush of ideas they had back then. (Or, history repeats itself; take your pick.)
The next generation’s design sense – movies and gaming
What I have is another insight that the two gentlemen didn’t talk about. Here’s my hint: if you want to know what is triggering the younger generation, follow the game designers and fantasy movies. They’re all about steampunk and Art Nouveau. Johnny touched on it in his talk in California when he discussed the flowing design of the hobbit homes in Lord of the Rings. Designers like Roger Dean, artist, architect, and designer, are already there.
( Roger Dean’s Home for Life. Click on photo for gallery)
A screenshot from one of the more beautiful online games I’ve seen:
(Dream Chronicles - Big Fish Games and Kat Games. Reminds me of Myst)
Kiss your design periods goodbye, though. This next generation won’t care – the Dark Ages to them was before the Web. Here, I leave you with a link to PamDesigns post, Darwin’s Kitchen, on steampunk and Art Nouveau and how I corrupted her. (Yay, go me!)
For inspiration, here's a beautiful example of an Art Nouveau fireplace I found on the web the other day.
(Art Nouveau custom-made fireplace mantle – William Doub Custom Furniture. When I win the lottery, I’m grabbing Miguel Tartaj (lead designer of Dream Chronicles), and Roger Dean, and we’re going real-life viral, baby. )
Home design, as I see it in the next few decades, will be a stunning convergence--not exactly technological singularity, although perhaps a design singularity of sorts.
What do you think?
