Similarities in representing the concept of design by Charles Eams and Raul Rand
- “S” – Both authors agree with the idea that creativity is premised on the ability of artists and creators to work within the established limits and constraints. Therefore, limits are established in the form of rules and conditions under which designers and artists should create their products.
- “S” – The interview and the film pay attention to the importance of implementing specific laws that can influence and motivate designers to create their masterpieces.
- “S” – Design aims to solve a specific problem. It is also a constant search for viable solutions.
- “S” – Designs are not connected to its usefulness, but its ethical and creative expression. Therefore, both usefulness and pleasure should be involved while creating a specific design product.
- “S” – Both authors focus on constraints and needs as the basic triggers of creativity. Curiosity, therefore, is the main reason for developing designs.
- “S” – Finally, the interview and film touch upon computers’ role in creating designs. Both sources state that computers play an important role in reproducing specific designs, but the leading role is still imposed on humans.
Rand’s Definition of “Play” As Compared to the Personal Definition of “Play”
“Play” is a set of limits and rules imposed on students to motivate and encourage creativity and meaningful solutions. Therefore, love of play can generate interesting ideas and concepts rather than full freedom of choice.
Before analyzing the readings, I defined play as a complex of principles and rules that allow a person to find a specific solution within the established framework. In other words, play is a condition that is required to achieve the results. Therefore, Rand is logical in representing play as an appropriate way to proceed with creative design.
Establishing Relations between the Concept of “Play” And “Design”
Since play incorporates specific principles and rules under which a problem should be solved, it also highlights possible boundaries within which the solution can be provided. In this sense, the boundaries of design are also identified in the context of the problem’s boundaries. Thus, the design is an expression of purpose, which leads to viable solutions where the principle of play produces the best problem-solving mechanism.
Further, just like each play searches for genuine ways of solving the problem, design can also be created with regard to this approach. Therefore, enthusiasm and curiosity are the guiding principles of design because they promote the further accomplishment of the established purpose.