Summary of BBC The Genius Of Design 1 of 5 Ghosts In The Machine 2010

00:00:00 - 00:55:00

The BBC video "The Genius of Design" looks at the history and importance of design. It covers various examples of design, from simple objects like stone axes to modern cityscapes. The video discusses the difference between good and bad design, and how design evolves over time.

• 00:00:00 The BBC video "The Genius of Design" looks at the history, skills, and importance of design. It covers various examples of design, from simple objects like stone axes to modern cityscapes. The video serves as an introduction to the subject for people who may not be familiar with it.
• 00:05:00 Designers are responsible for the look and feel of products, and their work spans across many industries. In this YouTube video, Dieter Rams discusses his ten commandments for good design.
• 00:10:00 The video discusses the history of design, and explains that good design is the product of a complex and rich history. It discusses the difference between good and bad design, and how design evolves over time. The latest design in the series is more generous and has a bit of life to it.
• 00:15:00 Designers in the industrial age were responsible for creating original designs from which all subsequent copies would be made. One of the most famous designers of this era was Julian Teed, who learned much of his craft from the late Susan William Ellis, the owner of the Port Marion pottery in Stoke-on-Trent.
• 00:20:00 This video discusses the importance of industrial design, and how it is essential in the production of mass-produced items. It features the story of one industrial designer, Susan Ivens, and her son, Julian, who work together to create mugs based on her original designs. The video also discusses the importance of pattern-making and how it can be reused multiple times, even after the molds it was created in are destroyed.
• 00:25:00 In the early 1800s, William Morris was a prominent designer of Victorian Britain. He was greatly concerned about the effects of industrialization on society, and saw the machines themselves as a threat at best and a menace at worst. He fought for better working conditions for the laborers who were producing the machines, and saw the design of beautiful objects as a way to elevate the status of those who were producing them.
• 00:30:00 William Morris was a genius at designing patterns, and his patterns are instantly recognizable. Morris was a craftsman and an inspiration to the next generation of designers.
• 00:35:00 The video features interviews with designers Christopher Dresser and Morris. Dresser was a contemporary of Morris, and can lay claim to being the first brand name designer with his signature appearing on many of his designs. His studio was responsible for a wide range of products across the whole spectrum of British manufacturing. He designed pottery, porcelain, silver, brass, glassware, and tin. His inspiration for his designs came from the business trip of a lifetime, a six-month trade and fact-finding mission to Japan. While Morris agonized over the byproducts of the industrial machine, dresser seemed to see only the products. Dresser was engaging with industry, and absorbing important lessons about the unadorned beauty of the everyday.
• 00:40:00 The video discusses the difference between Japanese and Western beauty, and how in the West, designers developed a design language that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The video's main focus is on the invention of the chair, which was made possible by the development of mass production techniques in the 19th century.
• 00:45:00 The video discusses the importance of design in modern society, and how it has progressed over the years. It talks about the Model T car, which was designed by Henry Ford and his team of designers. Ford wanted a car that was affordable to produce and operated smoothly. His team succeeded in creating an attractive and exciting product that has revolutionized transportation.
• 00:50:00 Designers of the early 20th century helped to popularize the automobile and produced some of the most iconic designs in automotive history, such as the Model T. However, the success of the Model T also led to the company's downfall as it became too reliant on its design and production processes. With the advent of the Model A and the advent of the consumer society, designers began to create cars that were more adaptable to the needs of consumers.
• 00:55:00 The video features an interview with Vicar Peter Owen Jones, who has a new series coming up on BBC Two. In the interview, Jones describes his plan for creating a simple life, which includes designing a chair that can be used on all kinds of surfaces.