DESIGN'S INFLUENCE THROUGH THE INFORMATION AGE

Study by

Stefan Urbanek

In collaboration with

Professor Ash Nieman & Doctor Jen Cellio

Big thanks to

Doctor Kuhajda, Professor Ketty, Professor Brummer

REMARKS

During my last undergraduate year, I began directed research with the College of Informatics and Honors College into how design has impacted humanity through the Information Age.

Below is a shortened presentation of my work, which includes my research aside my digital compositions for this project.

Feel free to read the full 22 pages of research here:

”An imaginative process of visual, emotional, and logical representation of communication and artistic renditions of concepts.”

(Often through a product, brand, media, behavior, or end-user interaction)

DESIGN

”How is design a deciding factor in society's future as seen throughout decades of the Information Age?”

THE QUESTION

”The idea that design is a deciding factor in humanity's present and future.”

DESIGN MYTHOS

The 1980s

MEMPHIS DESIGN

- Personal computing

- High-tech products

- Rise of pop culture influence

- Political, social overconfidence

"Trends were fueled by the thoughts of technological progress and an optimistic vision of our future. The design language of the 1980s was brief and overconfident, with the bold, up-front styling and barrage of colors falling short in the 1990s. The rapid pace of technological advancements and changing consumer taste resulted in the undeniable – what appeared as cutting-edge one moment quickly became outdated the next."

The 1990s

MINIMALIST DESIGN

Digitized typography boom -

Birth of the World Wide Web -

Focus on individuality, carefree design -

Universal standardization (Ex. USB) -

"...designed to celebrate not what the computers could do, but what creative people could do with computers."'

• - Walter Isaacson, Steve Jobs (2011)

The 2000s

AERO DESIGN

- Early: Y2K (Year 2000) Design

- Late: Skeuomorphism, Frutiger Aero

- Design's role in familiarity and guidance

- Beginning of digital & physical merge

"The Y2K aesthetic was short-lived, fading in the mid and late 2000s as skeuomorphism emerged to drive the growing userbase of the internet. Frutiger Aero, paired with skeuomorphism, continued to carry the futurism of Y2K in a polished, shining vision. A transition driven by technological advancements, the rise of smartphones and high-definition displays, familiarity and cutting-edge, sharp illustrations were center to this era. Realistic imagery that mimicked real-world objects allowed for new users to become familiar with new technologies."

The 2010s

FLAT DESIGN

Flat, sharp, easy-to-understand -

Smartphone revolution, worlds merge -

Responsive functionality over familiarity -

Impacted branding & architecture -

"In the early decade, this simplification of interfaces and mass “switch to flat style” for corporate branding was known as the “Apple Design Effect.” Applications were de-facto required to be functional and understandable....responsive, info-based design and functional minimalism brought about understanding in an era dominated by mobile computing."'

”Humanity creates designs that influence ourselves, later giving life to new ones.”

"Our actions are inclusively determining our present and future, so let us consciously design our world together."

THE ANSWER