The Bauhaus, and Deutscher Werkbund (German Arts and Crafts Society) were proponents of architecture and design reform in Germany during the 1920s through to the 1930s. Bauhaus was especially significant to modernist design and architecture, and continues to be influential in design and architecture education today. Since it is so influential in design education, are there similarities between the methods and philosophy of Bauhaus and modernist design and the first year design (FYD) programme at Victoria University of Wellington?
The answer is: yes; very much so. One of the main aims of the Deutscher Werkbund was to "help form to recover its rights", essentially placing emphasis on good use of form and craft, and using form only when it is appropriate to the function. The FYD programme places a great deal of emphasis on craft, something that can be the difference between a high quality design and one of a low quality. Much emphasis has also been placed, not only on craft, but on the concept of designers as craftsmen. The idea of creating craftsmen is one shared with the Bauhaus, who believed that it was important to break down the barriers between artists and craftsmen, integrating the two. The FYD programme has, effectively, done just that this year, with a hands-on approach to design that emphasises creation, and the idea of 'making'.
The answer is: yes; very much so. One of the main aims of the Deutscher Werkbund was to "help form to recover its rights", essentially placing emphasis on good use of form and craft, and using form only when it is appropriate to the function. The FYD programme places a great deal of emphasis on craft, something that can be the difference between a high quality design and one of a low quality. Much emphasis has also been placed, not only on craft, but on the concept of designers as craftsmen. The idea of creating craftsmen is one shared with the Bauhaus, who believed that it was important to break down the barriers between artists and craftsmen, integrating the two. The FYD programme has, effectively, done just that this year, with a hands-on approach to design that emphasises creation, and the idea of 'making'.
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