Design

Design means to plan something to serve a purpose or function. When it comes to kitchen items, the design may be elegant but not truly functional. Take my kitchen and bathroom sinks. Please. Both are square having the lines of a box rather than the former old-fashioned sinks that were rounded. And while they appear very contemporary cute, they are a pain to clean. How many times a week do we clean our sinks? The answer is:  once every day at least. If you cook, and I assume those who eat, cook, you will notice how easily stains accumulate in the corners that some designers deem to be the latest in smart looking kitchens. "Smart", they are not. Even using a rectangular sponge with a gritty side, those corners are not easily done and what they do to fingernails at the same time is not kind. All I am asking is "do designers try out their creations in the real world with real people?". Do the designers who make square sinks call in a flock of testing folk who don't want to spend their kitchen time fretting about getting into the corners to keep them tidy? That's only one of the complaints I have about this sort of solely aesthetic designer. It's like the ones who show mirrored furniture that needs polishing when you touch it or piles of cute and colourful bed pillows to stack morning and night or little collections of pretty gewgaws to gather dust. Hey guys, we need what is easy care please. Sure, let it be beautiful; but practical is more important when you have to live with the frou frou unless you have a host of maids to clean and dust and arrange for you. Design in construction plans for new towers has a place in the complaint department, also. It is understandable that architects are vying for attention, but hopefully developers have the moxie to know what the majority of onlookers finds attractive or not. In the press of late, there is an illustration of a three tower proposal  with bizarre overhanging top floors. The towers, to be over twenty floors up, look, I swear, like three very pregnant women having a chat  about their funny sun hats. When I remarked on the unmistakable appearance of the buildings, someone said, "Oh, they are likely going to change the design". I hope so, because they are taller than any other structures nearby and their "baby bumps" are not likely to go away in nine months if the design is accepted. The Guggenheim found out the hard way how cute, but dysfunctional design, feels. If you've been there, you know what I mean. Or Google it. As you are perusing the art from the rising ramps running endlessly up or down, you are more aware of the curves under your feet than the pictures that look crooked on the walls. If all you had to do inside that structure was walk, all would be well, alas. From potato peelers to parks, design is crucial. Having real people testing the realities with the design before it is built, is the key.  We have to live with design not just look at its artistic merit.