Design

Design within the confines of art history is a creative activity or object, most frequently with an industrial or commercial undertone. Objects made under the heading of design are often a reflection of social, political, scientific, and environmental causes. Design has been used as a means to solve problems, as a fundamental objective behind the medium is to create new possibilities or to improve a process. These objects typically are immersive, including an element of interaction between the user and the material itself. At the crux of it all, creators have turned to design as a means to improve the quality of life for humankind. Design is also multidisciplinarity to its core and has been nourished by the arts for centuries.

Design has evidently evolved since its conception. Highly influenced by societal issues and politics, as well as parallel art movements, design objects reflect the period from which they were made. Although similar, it is important to distinguish the difference between design and Decorative Arts, a 19th-century movement known for the creation of art objects. In the century that followed, art and design were undeniably affected by global turmoil and politics, impacting artists universally, resulting in the birth of an array of art movements.

The 20th-century was a period of tremendous artistic upheaval. Design, art, performance, and theater were all tremendously impacted by the two world wars and the Cold War. On top of this, society was rapidly evolving, with rising social and political movements, such as voting rights and women's suffrage. As the world continued to change and progress, so did the world of art. Design belonged to many, if not all, of the major art movements of the 20th-century; including, Art Nouveau, Modernism, Surrealism, Art Deco, Bauhaus, and Postmodernism.

Design continued to evolve into the 21st century, paving the way for contemporary design. There are various misconceptions when it comes to contemporary design. Typically, confusion comes into place when the lines are blurred between the terms “design"" and “style."" Many use these words interchangeably, but it is important to note the distinguishing factors. Style is part of the design process. Once you have designed the functionality of the piece you are part of the way to the final design. Beyond this, creators will often ponder the definition of design in the 21st century. Designers and artists have drawn upon various 20th-century movements, such as Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Minimalism, and even, Holywood Regenycy.

Some people oppose the idea that design objects can be considered works of art. However, the borders are porous as some of them emphasize artistic features and are singular and unique. Like artists, designers imagine their pieces as personal creations or are released in limited quantities. Their works are often a means to express their visions of the world. It is important to note that collaborations between artists and designers reinforce the links between these two universes, animated by the same search for beauty. Discover a carefully chosen selection of design objects that span an array of movements, from the past to the present!

Read more
Design, Small Lie Brown, Kaws

Kaws

Design - 27.9 x 12.7 x 11.4 cm Design - 11 x 5 x 4.5 inch

CHF 779

Design, Monkey Lamp, Fat

Fat

Design - 70 x 50 x 25 cm Design - 27.6 x 19.7 x 9.8 inch

CHF 2,434

Design, 2091 Pixels, Gaëlle Wagner

Gaëlle Wagner

Design - 130 x 269 x 3 cm Design - 51.2 x 105.9 x 1.2 inch

CHF 5,744

Design, Time off Blue, Kaws

Kaws

Design - 20 x 32 x 15 cm Design - 7.9 x 12.6 x 5.9 inch

CHF 974

Design, Beyond borders, Maria Esmar

Maria Esmar

Design - 140 x 220 x 0.2 cm Design - 55.1 x 86.6 x 0.1 inch

CHF 6,036

Design, AMOUR, André Saraiva

André Saraiva

Design - 20.5 x 69 x 5 cm Design - 8.1 x 27.2 x 2 inch

CHF 2,142

Design, No Need, Philip Hearsey

Philip Hearsey

Design - 16 x 30 x 18 cm Design - 6.3 x 11.8 x 7.1 inch

CHF 1,531

Design, Orville, Kenny Scharf

Kenny Scharf

Design - 40 x 40 x 5 cm Design - 15.7 x 15.7 x 2 inch

CHF 511

Design, Broken lines #1, Goddog

Goddog

Design - 70 x 70 x 1 cm Design - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0.4 inch

CHF 1,460

Design, Totems, Thalia Dalecky

Thalia Dalecky

Design - 40 x 23 x 7 cm Design - 15.7 x 9.1 x 2.8 inch

CHF 1,850

Design, Flux - 9, Marion Clavier

Marion Clavier

Design - 11 x 16 x 0.6 cm Design - 4.3 x 6.3 x 0.2 inch

CHF 180

Design, L'Éléphant, Jean Jullien

Jean Jullien

Design - 13 x 24 x 7 cm Design - 5.1 x 9.4 x 2.8 inch

CHF 583

Design, Bab, Super Bab

Bab

Super Bab

Design - 119 x 71 x 3 cm Design - 46.9 x 28 x 1.2 inch

CHF 1,168

Design, Globe 30, Guillaume Roche

Guillaume Roche

Design - 30 x 30 x 30 cm Design - 11.8 x 11.8 x 11.8 inch

CHF 1,898

Design, Infinity, Kuno Vollet

Kuno Vollet

Design - 47 x 45 x 8 cm Design - 18.5 x 17.7 x 3.1 inch

CHF 3,407

Design, Hope (2), Liutauras Grieze

Liutauras Grieze

Design - 20 x 8 x 19 cm Design - 7.9 x 3.1 x 7.5 inch

CHF 2,337

Design, Vitrail, Patopalomo

Patopalomo

Design - 60 x 58 x 9 cm Design - 23.6 x 22.8 x 3.5 inch

CHF 1,363

Design, Opposite Lamp, Jil Joannin

Jil Joannin

Design - 38 x 35 x 35 cm Design - 15 x 13.8 x 13.8 inch

CHF 3,407

Design, Labyrinthe, Sonia Delaunay

Sonia Delaunay

Design - 3 x 220 x 245 cm Design - 1.2 x 86.6 x 96.5 inch

CHF 11,683

Design, Mandala, Louise Van Reeth

Louise Van Reeth

Design - 81 x 81 x 4 cm Design - 31.9 x 31.9 x 1.6 inch

CHF 1,947

Design, Entropê, Dominique Blais

Dominique Blais

Design - 127.5 x 52 x 52 cm Design - 50.2 x 20.5 x 20.5 inch

CHF 12,364

Design, L'Orchidée, Zao Wou-Ki

Zao Wou-Ki

Design - 25 x 25 x 0.5 cm Design - 9.8 x 9.8 x 0.2 inch

CHF 866

Design, Archers - Vase, René Lalique

René Lalique

Design - 26 x 18 x 15 cm Design - 10.2 x 7.1 x 5.9 inch

CHF 6,679 CHF 5,343

Design, CCGR, Stefano Mazzolini

Stefano Mazzolini

Design - 100 x 70 x 1 cm Design - 39.4 x 27.6 x 0.4 inch

CHF 487

Design, Spilt Rocker, Jeff Koons

Jeff Koons

Design - 7 x 8 x 7 cm Design - 2.8 x 3.1 x 2.8 inch

CHF 282

Design, Jumbo, Jacky Zegers

Jacky Zegers

Design - 46 x 25 x 30 cm Design - 18.1 x 9.8 x 11.8 inch

CHF 511

Design, Dog Save the Queen, Dface

Dface

Design - 40 x 30 x 30 cm Design - 15.7 x 11.8 x 11.8 inch

CHF 2,142

Design, DOT Terra Cotta, Reda Amalou

Reda Amalou

Design - 45 x 41 x 41 cm Design - 17.7 x 16.1 x 16.1 inch

CHF 1,246

Design, Child, Reinaldo Chavez

Reinaldo Chavez

Design - 23.5 x 18 x 3 cm Design - 9.3 x 7.1 x 1.2 inch

CHF 224

Design, Empreinte, Catherine Clare

Catherine Clare

Design - 42 x 13 x 14 cm Design - 16.5 x 5.1 x 5.5 inch

CHF 779

Design, LV Balloon, MVR

MVR

Design - 21 x 10 x 10 cm Design - 8.3 x 3.9 x 3.9 inch

CHF 268