Styles and movements.

AQA section 3.2.2 covers the principles of Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, Modernism (including Bauhaus) and Postmodernism (including Memphis). The summaries below are from your supplied notes.

Read section 3.2.2 of the AQA specification ↗

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Arts & Crafts

Context

Arts & Crafts developed during the Industrial Revolution as a reaction against factory mass production. Designers such as William Morris believed industrial production often resulted in products that lacked quality and individuality.

Philosophy

The movement valued skilled craftsmanship, traditional manufacturing, quality materials and well-made everyday products.

Style

Arts & Crafts designs commonly used natural and organic forms, plants and wildlife, repeating patterns, rich decoration and a handcrafted appearance.

Key designer

William Morris.

Specific examples

Strawberry Thief, 1883 and Willow Bough, 1887.

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Art Deco

Context

Art Deco developed strongly after WWI. New technologies, processes and materials had developed, travel increased, and society experienced economic and social change. The movement reflected optimism about modern life, technological progress, comfort and luxury.

Philosophy

Art Deco celebrated modernity, technological progress, luxury, glamour, wealth and status.

Style

Art Deco used bold geometric shapes, symmetry, ornamentation, streamlined forms, clean forms and modern materials. Chrome, glass, polished woods and luxurious materials were commonly associated with the style.

Influences

Cars, aircraft, skyscrapers and other symbols of technological progress encouraged streamlined and futuristic forms. Consumer culture also increased demand for products that communicated wealth and success.

Common imagery

Art Deco used motifs such as the rising sun, shells, half moons, American skylines, Egyptian themes and mother-of-pearl imagery.

Key designer

Eileen Gray.

Specific example

Bibendum Chair, 1926.

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Modernism / Bauhaus

Context

Modernism developed alongside industrialisation, technological development and major social change. Following WWI, designers increasingly wanted to create products and buildings suited to a modern industrial society rather than reproduce historical decorative styles.

Philosophy

Modernist design prioritised function, simplicity and modern production. Bauhaus aimed to connect art, craft, technology and industry. Unnecessary decoration was removed and materials were used in ways appropriate to their properties and manufacturing processes.

Style

Modernist and Bauhaus products used simple geometric forms, clean lines, minimal decoration, visible structures and modern industrial materials.

Materials

Tubular steel, glass, metal, concrete and other industrial materials became important.

Key designers

Walter Gropius, Marianne Brandt and Marcel Breuer.

Specific examples

Gropius’s Bauhaus Dessau, Brandt’s MT49 and Breuer’s Wassily Chair.

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Postmodernism / Memphis

Context

Postmodernism developed as a reaction against conventional design and strict Modernist functionalism. Your course describes it as embracing complexity, contradiction and diversity and producing designs intended to provoke reactions.

Philosophy

Postmodern designers rejected the idea that function must completely determine form. Design could communicate emotion, humour, symbolism, personality and historical references.

Style

Postmodernism used humour and personality, retro references, deconstruction, unusual forms, bright colours, decoration, symbolism and asymmetry.

Memphis

Memphis was a particularly expressive form of Postmodern design associated with Ettore Sottsass. It used bright and clashing colours, geometric shapes, patterns, asymmetry, unusual proportions and plastic laminates.

Key designers

Ettore Sottsass and Philippe Starck.

Specific examples

Sottsass’s Carlton, 1981 and Starck’s Juicy Salif, 1990.