Design As a Conversation

Image from swsaonline.com 

In our everyday world we can see design almost everywhere, but usually the most powerful ones are those that do not rely on excessive amount of words to convey a message, but ones that are straight to the point and at many times are iconic. Take one of the most famous architects Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe could not have said it any simpler than saying these three words that "less is more."

In order to understand how design is used as a conversation we need to first understand what conversation means. In context a conversation is usually a message or ideas from one source which communicates towards multiple individuals through the act of speech. Typically good conversations are getting your ideas from point (a) to point (b) without having any confusion in between which at many times acquits to the awkward silence and that "what are you talking about look" on a person's face. 

In terms of design, the designer puts out a concept or message to communicate to the audience what he/she is trying to portray. Take for instance a commonly seen object such as the restroom sign. The intent of the object is to direct the audience to the correct restroom area by using a sign with a figure of a man within a triangle which is meant for men and a figure of a person with a dress enclosed in a circle to represent female.

Yet, not all conversations end up with one simple solution or answer that a person obtains from a piece. Sometimes in order to create a deeper conversation there are no right and wrong answers, but instead open interpretation. Take Marina Abramovic 1974 work entitled Rhythm 0, in which Abramovic placed 72 items that the audience could use and perform any acts at their wish with theobjects while standing still. Some of these items ranged from objects which cause pleasure, while others were used to inflict pain such as a gun. For example at one point in the performance a person took the gun and placed it at her head. The act of putting her at gun point was one of the many responses as well as the act of another person taking the gun and throwing out the window. The point of this performance was a conversation between theartist and audience in showing what humans would and would not do given the situation. 

image from premierartscene.com