ARCHITECTURAL

DESIGN THEORY
SEMESTER I
LECTURE 10

Objectives of Design.

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

 A study of the theory of subject can not be

complete without an understanding of the
objectives of that subject.
Here, the objective is not of the study of the
subject but the need to understand the
objectives of the subject.
Objectives, targets or reasons for Design can be
interpreted at both the physical and the
metaphysical planes.
The physical objectives are related to the
business of producing designs while the
metaphysical objectives will be related to the
philosophy of creativity an abstract
phenomenon.
ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

 Various artists, designers and creators

could be in the field of designing for
different reasons.
All of them, however, to be true to their
profession will have to appreciate the
inherent philosophical needs of design.
It may not be sufficient to treat design as
just a physical activity for the purpose of
pleasure and business.
There has to be a higher motive for
designing.
ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

 Ponder over the question why does an

artist paint, why does a musician create
music ?
This higher motive could be:
giving sensory pleasure
making a statement.

How can these motives be achieved?

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

 These could be achieved by making the artist

and the viewer/listener happy.
In visual design the objective would be to
provide visual delight.
Real Happiness will come from viewing or
listening to something that is Beautiful, Truthful
and Good.
Beauty, Truth and Goodness can thus be seen
as the abstract objectives of Visual Design.
There could be other objectives that could be
offshoots of these such as perfection, honesty,
etc and these would be dependent on the artist
and the medium.
ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

BEAUTY
Beauty can be seen as a combination of qualities
in an object or a composition that delight the
sight or other senses by the shape, proportion,
color or other physical attributes.
Beauty can also be seen as that which is morally
or intellectually impressing charming or
satisfactory.
Anything that has allure, charm, grace, elegance,
loveliness, exquisiteness can also be called
beautiful.
ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

Here are some examples of Beauty from

different facets of life.

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

10

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

11

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

12

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

13

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

14

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

15

GOODNESS
To be good is to have the right qualities as
accepted by a particular culture, society and at
a particular time.
To be good is to be satisfactory and adequate
meeting the expected conditions.
Goodness is a virtuous quality.
Goodness is related to excellence, merit, value
and worth of an object or an act.
Goodness also relates to honesty, integrity and
merit besides righteousness and uprightness.

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

16

Not Good

ADT 1 2008

Good

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

17

TRUTH
Truth is the quality of being in accordance
with fact or reality not false or erroneous
and in accordance with reason or correct
principles or accepted standard.
Truthful is that which is genuine, showing
life as it is and adhering faithfully to that
which is right.
Truthful is correct, honest, precise,
realistic, sincere, and trustworthy.
Truth is godly and divine.

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

18

Deceit

Truthful

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

19

 Students of architecture would need to

appreciate that Design for them would
have much greater ramifications.
Architectural Design, besides providing
visual delight, will have to satisfy the
conditions of functionality, structural and
expressional strength, economy,
sociology, culture, climate, psychology
related to the architectural project.

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

20

By now you should be clear about the

Elements, Principles and Objectives of
Basic Design.

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

21

The End

ADT 1 2008

Prof Anil Kumar, GCAD

22