3 Fs: FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION or FUNCTION FOLLOWS FORM

The topic given by the lecturer: FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION or FUNCTION FOLLOWS FORM

This is the result i got after i google it:Form follows function is a principle associated with modern architecture and industrial design in the 20th century. The principle is that the shape of a building or object should be primarily based upon its intended function or purpose.

For us designers(ok ,soon-to-be designers),form is one of the fundamental element that make out our design.On the other hand, function is the objective of the design based on the type of products created by the designers.

1st concept: Form Follows Function

Judging by how it arrange the word,we can know that function is the main priority.This means that,before the designer design any kind of product,he or she need to think of the product function first before come out with any idea or sketches.Function is the practical part, and in another word it is a down to business part of the process of design.It is the purpose of the piece whether it is for sell,to educate,to entertain,to inform or to impress.It includes the message, the target audience and of course the budget involved.

EXAMPLE:If a designer is asked to create a promotional item for a upcoming movie based on form follows function. Firstly,they will need to to research on:

- Who is the target audience and what are their expectations?

-What is the budget?

-What elements are required by the client?

-Where is the promotional item displayed at?

-and many many more question need to be consider depends on the related products.

Let's say the promotional item is a poster.Designer need to choose size,colors,fonts and images based on the function and arrange the text and graphic so that the poster attract attention and looks appealing.Different color brings out different feeling and emotion,and different type of font provide different views,these sort of things can brings out different messages and meaning.

Summary:Product created according to its function.The product designed to be a certain shape because of its function,they must have a reason behind it.Just like a ball have to be round,it can't be square, triangle or rectangle,because round is the only shape that can make the ball roll on a surface.

Here are good examples of how form follows function. In this case we are talking about humble kitchen accessories such as knives, cheese shavers, and vegetable peelers. These package designs have taken the phrase, “One picture is worth a thousand words” quite literally.
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2nd concept:Function Follows Form

For my personally point of view,I think this 2nd concept will be given more freedom and less restriction to the designers.Designer get to choose on the form of the piece they created and from there they will think of the function of product.Due to the limitless form choices,designer can come out with multi functions products.This usually is the moment new and crazy products developed in the market.

IN a nutshell, form and functions are interrelated, they need each other to make sure things work.Function need form in order to accomplish its goal.At the same time,form without function is just another useless pretty piece of paper.

when form follows function apply in buildings............

But, despite appearances, this is no 21st century structure - because it was in fact built in 1838. It's purely functional: a covering for a slipway which would allow ships to be built under cover. And the shape and span of the structure is determined by the ships that it would accommodate