Comments on: In design, simple is elegant http://thecraftsmanspath.com/2008/06/10/in-design-simple-is-elegant/ A chronicle of woodworking and furniture design Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:03:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: The Craftsman’s Path » Moving the target in design http://thecraftsmanspath.com/2008/06/10/in-design-simple-is-elegant/comment-page-1/#comment-866 The Craftsman’s Path » Moving the target in design Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:49:39 +0000 http://thecraftsmanspath.com/2008/06/10/in-design-simple-is-elegant/#comment-866 [...] In design, simple is elegant [...] [...] In design, simple is elegant [...]

]]> By: Mark (The Craftsman's Path) http://thecraftsmanspath.com/2008/06/10/in-design-simple-is-elegant/comment-page-1/#comment-680 Mark (The Craftsman's Path) Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:49:25 +0000 http://thecraftsmanspath.com/2008/06/10/in-design-simple-is-elegant/#comment-680 Hey Chuck, Thanks for your insightful comments! I would agree that I was focusing a bit more on the design aspects of a piece and that is only part of the equation of what makes something rise to the level of master work. I also concur that there are stylistic choices for the amount of adornment given to a piece. Embellishments and adornments certainly have their place and used judiciously they can set one piece apart from another. However, one point I wanted to reinforce is that the adornments do not automatically make the piece a masterpiece. As discussed there seem to be certain attributes or aspects that well-designed pieces seem to share. The same is probably true for their adornments, etc. I think that this concept is worth exploring more in future posts. --Mark Hey Chuck,

Thanks for your insightful comments!

I would agree that I was focusing a bit more on the design aspects of a piece and that is only part of the equation of what makes something rise to the level of master work.

I also concur that there are stylistic choices for the amount of adornment given to a piece. Embellishments and adornments certainly have their place and used judiciously they can set one piece apart from another. However, one point I wanted to reinforce is that the adornments do not automatically make the piece a masterpiece.

As discussed there seem to be certain attributes or aspects that well-designed pieces seem to share. The same is probably true for their adornments, etc. I think that this concept is worth exploring more in future posts.

–Mark

]]> By: Chuck Bender http://thecraftsmanspath.com/2008/06/10/in-design-simple-is-elegant/comment-page-1/#comment-677 Chuck Bender Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:09:35 +0000 http://thecraftsmanspath.com/2008/06/10/in-design-simple-is-elegant/#comment-677 Mark, Excellent take on this subject. If more bloggers expounded on the subject like this, my meager attempt would be instantly relegated to obscurity. The concept of “simple is elegant” is one that many people hold true. This deals primarily with design however, which is only part of connoisseurship (the subject of my blog series). The choice between simple and ornate is really a stylistic choice. Your Ellis chest is an excellent example of the concept of “less is more”. Excellent wood selection, top quality craftsmanship and great proportions make this a stellar piece with little added adornment. This does not, however, preclude pieces with lots of embellishment from reaching the same classification of “masterpiece”. In every “period”, and region, there is a bit of pop-culture that influences the general trend in adornment. When you say “I tend to believe that what make certain designs great are the basic elements and proportions on which they are built. Whether it is a modern piece, an antique, or a reproduction, certain elements and proportions are always there in a well-designed piece.” you have truly hit the nail on the head. You’ve leaped from the discussion being directly solely by design to an expanded discussion which includes a variety of elements. The “certain elements” to which you refer can include certain design features but most likely will also include certain construction details as well as aesthetic elements that make up the greater whole of the piece. It is precisely those details that take a piece, regardless of style or adornment, to the level of “masterpiece”. I hope you continue your discussion of this subject here on your blog and I hope to have you join in on mine. One of the things we can all take away from these discussions is that the longer the discussion continues, and the more people participate in it, the broader our knowledge will become on the subject. Hopefully, all of us will be able to take advantage of this knowledge and improve our own work. Great post! Keep up the good work. Mark,
Excellent take on this subject. If more bloggers expounded on the subject like this, my meager attempt would be instantly relegated to obscurity. The concept of “simple is elegant” is one that many people hold true. This deals primarily with design however, which is only part of connoisseurship (the subject of my blog series). The choice between simple and ornate is really a stylistic choice.

Your Ellis chest is an excellent example of the concept of “less is more”. Excellent wood selection, top quality craftsmanship and great proportions make this a stellar piece with little added adornment. This does not, however, preclude pieces with lots of embellishment from reaching the same classification of “masterpiece”. In every “period”, and region, there is a bit of pop-culture that influences the general trend in adornment.

When you say “I tend to believe that what make certain designs great are the basic elements and proportions on which they are built. Whether it is a modern piece, an antique, or a reproduction, certain elements and proportions are always there in a well-designed piece.” you have truly hit the nail on the head. You’ve leaped from the discussion being directly solely by design to an expanded discussion which includes a variety of elements. The “certain elements” to which you refer can include certain design features but most likely will also include certain construction details as well as aesthetic elements that make up the greater whole of the piece. It is precisely those details that take a piece, regardless of style or adornment, to the level of “masterpiece”.

I hope you continue your discussion of this subject here on your blog and I hope to have you join in on mine. One of the things we can all take away from these discussions is that the longer the discussion continues, and the more people participate in it, the broader our knowledge will become on the subject. Hopefully, all of us will be able to take advantage of this knowledge and improve our own work.

Great post! Keep up the good work.

]]>