Technology and Progress

“Art rises above all methods; in itself it cannot be taught, but the crafts certainly can be… hence, a thorough training in the crafts, acquired in workshops and on experimental and practical sites, is required of all students as the indispensable basis for all artistic production.”

This key philosophy of the Bauhaus movement first introduced in 1919 by Walter Gropius can still be applicable in our first year design course today. Coming from only a high school level of experience of design, what I have taken from this year is the emphasis of experimentation and the importance of meaning within our projects.

A recent project for example, focused on the poetic effects of simple materials to create a ‘story’ behind a sculptural piece. Like past Bauhaus students, who were taught to be intimate with their materials through drawing and feeling, we are encouraged to experiment with what could be considered as ‘common materials,’ such as wood or paper, “to achieve an interpretative design instead of a mere imitation.” This personal interpretation of our work evolves not only through practical experimentations but through a constant search to produce meaningful concepts behind projects to then ultimately establish the full 'form' of a piece of work.

This human element to design, emphasized in Bauhaus teachings and in our first year design program shows how this philosophy of design education continues to be learnt by students today who are guided by this utopian vision to "build the future," as Walter Gropius states.

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