Critical Reflective Journal
Form and Function
This week’s interview lecture with Sam Winston looks at the relationship between form and function and how we read, understand and engineer communication. It also explores the appropriateness of how form and material contribute to the overall message.
Let’s first explore the meaning of the words. “Function” is derived from the Latin term “function” and means “accomplishment” in its original sense. Function defines for which purpose something can be used. The concept of function can be viewed from different perspectives. While “Form” can be equated with the term aesthetics. Aesthetics is derived from the Greek word “aesthesis” which means “perception” and “sensation”. Aesthetics is all about how we perceive and interpret the world through our five senses. It is important to define a “main function”, because a product has many different functions. Only by focusing on a single, central aspect, good usability can be achieved.
For example, Apple knows how to identify main functions of their products very well and pursue it with the very last consequence. This explains the success of Apple. The main function of the iPad is the consumption of media, not productive work. Only through this focus on the main function, the simplicity and the success of the iPad is to be explained.
If the main function of a product is established, you as a designer should take every effort necessary to communicate this visually. This implies that the function must be clear first before a form can be developed. Therefore, the only serious approach in the design process is to apply usability engineering methods first, and to start with the visual design only after that.
I can apply the mentioned principle to my blog post as well. First, I must be clear what the function for this post should be. The function can be equated in this case, with the communication goal. Once the communication goal is determined, all examples, textual descriptions and pictures must support this goal.
Every visual aspect serves one purpose: to highlight function. The “magic mouse” from Apple does not fulfill the function, that you can work in a pleasant way with it, when you consider traditional mouse input methods. Due to the very flat shape, the mouse shows weaknesses from an ergonomic point of view. But for Apple a different main function has been more important, which is that the user can perform touch gestures on the mouse. From this main function the flattened shape has derived.
Colors not only have a decorative character. Depending on the culture, they transport a certain meaning. Colors can also be used to facilitate how the user interprets a function. For example, it makes sense to offer a dialog box that will warn you or indicate an error, by using yellow.
Another popular way to explain the importance of functions are visual metaphors. The desktop metaphor is the best-known example. It is an essential part of operation systems like Windows and OSX. There you can see a virtual desktop. On the desktop, there are folders and a recycle bin, as these elements are typical for a real working place. Thus, the user can transmit and understand concepts he knows from the real world into the virtual world.
So, what is more important? Form or function? Only through well-balanced combination of form and function, interfaces reach their true strength.
Reference Material
The Austria Solar’s annual report powered by the sun execution was very fascinating. The execution of this annual report project took the industry’s source of power to the next level. Thinking of the idea required some science to get to know how the content (copy) of the annual report be revealed through the papers. And it was obviously an expensive “special operation”.
Personally, I think that when you can take an idea to touch one of the five senses then it changes the whole game. The idea or concept takes another level from design to also experience. Once the user experiences something, then he/she can resonate more with it and the meaning the designer is trying to convey sticks to the mind and becomes memorable forever.
Workshop Challenge
My inspiration came from Bahraini National Anthem lyrics in Arabic – بلد الكرام which means the “country of nobles”. Bahrain is a very welcoming and friendly multi-cultured country. It is globally renowned for its generosity and hospitality. I tried to showcase the word I chose by using the Arabic calligraphy as the hero of my designs and create a handcrafted masterpiece made from gold water and golden coins to be showcased in the Bahrain National Museum.
The word noble transcends from the value of honor. Nobility of soul, virtuous conduct and personal integrity are all characteristics. Nobility also translates to richness and generosity. The Bahraini people are known for their hospitality, warmth, and generosity with others irrespective of their color, class, or culture, which in turn created a healthy society where individuals feel valued and well respected. The Kingdom of Bahrain is rich with its heritage, culture, traditions, arts, and cuisine.
The color golden was also inspired from the famous Bahraini gold. The phrase used was inspired from the National Anthem, below are the lyrics:
Baḥraynunā (Arabic: بحريننا; “Our Bahrain”; also known as نشيد البحرين الوطني Našīd al-Baḥrayn al-waṭanī “the national anthem of Bahrain”) is the national anthem of Bahrain.
| Arabic script |
| بحريننا ملكنا رمز الوئام دستورها عالي المكانة والمقام ميثاقها نهج الشريعة والعروبة والقيم عاشت مملكة البحرين بلد الكرام مهد السلام دستورها عالي المكانة والمقام ميثاقها نهج الشريعة والعروبة والقيم عاشت مملكة البحرين |
Literal translation
Our Bahrain,
Our King
(is) the symbol of harmony.
Its Constitution is high in the place and the position
Its Charter represents the way of Shari’a, Arabism
and the values
Long live the Kingdom of Bahrain!
(This is the) country of nobles
(and) cradle of peace.
Its Constitution is high in the place and the position
Its Charter represents the way of Shari’a, Arabism
and the values
Long live the Kingdom of Bahrain!
Source: Wikipedia
After my first attempt, I decided to take another path and make it more personal, I decide to use coins and handcraft a museum painting.
Omar Mal
March 26, 2020
Omar Mal 