Design as expression

As a designer my comfort zone lies in making products functional. If their is no obvious purpose or use as a tool, I am often not interested. But design does not always need an innate reason to exist. One example dubbed "Horsey" originated from the Seoul Cycle Design Competition. "Horsey" is a bicycle accessory that can be attached to most any bicycle frame.

Why you may ask? Because someone dreamed this up. Design can originate from driven purpose or can exist to make the user smile. A product such as "Horsey" is an expression of personality. Clothing, cellphones, cars, and so much more the user buys for functionality, but is heavily influenced by how their own style is reflected.

In our form studies I have experimented with shape and expression, and I have found that what makes an object beautiful does not have to be founded on an obvious intent or solving of a problem. Appreciation of design is not so different from appreciation of art. The similarity in what makes art and design great is when it simply exists in space: when a piece is thoughtfully expressed while not fighting to be something other than itself.

For information on the "Horsey" bicycle attachment visit: https://gizmodo.com/5634743/why-ride-a-bike-when-you-can-ride-a-horse