Industrial Style
Encyclopedia
Industrial Style refers to an aesthetic trend in design
that emphasizes sharp lines, abrupt connections and dynamic interactions of motion. It is derivative of the same forces that created the architectural movement Deconstructivism
and the anime
genre Mecha
, and can be seen in such automobile design examples as the BMW Z4
by Chris Bangle
, the Ferrari Enzo
, the Lamborghini Reventon
, and Cadillac's Art and Science trend. Non-automotive examples include watch designs by Fossil, Inc.
, the Batman
film set by Anton Furst, and eyewear and other costuming from The Matrix
.
The Industrial Style attempts to acknowledge and celebrate sometimes contradictory forces and functions. A collection of shapes is unified in a composition where each piece maintains its internal logic and the connections between them are pronounced. This differs from the more traditional view of design where all the parts are subjugated to the betterment of the whole. Industrial Style relies on the viewer to see the pieces as a beautiful team of complements working toward a common goal rather than any singular, resolved shape.
It should not be confused with industrial design
which is the general applied art
spanning many different styles. But the aesthetic is derived from Disruptive technology
associated with industrial developments. Advances such as Stealth technology
, Computer-aided design
, Carbon fiber
material science, and Light-emitting diode
improvements can come together in a single design. The Audi R8 (road car) makes use of LEDs for head lights for arguably functional considerations, but they also offer the significant stylistic advantages for a high end sports of allowing a lower, sleeker, and more angular front end. Similarly, the Herman Miller leaf lamp by Yves Behar
combines both technical and stylistic advantages of LED technology.
The Industrial Style also differs quite substantially from Primitivism
in that it uses sophisticated refinements to imply the idea. It can have esoteric resolutions with no deeper meaning other than the visual game itself.
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
that emphasizes sharp lines, abrupt connections and dynamic interactions of motion. It is derivative of the same forces that created the architectural movement Deconstructivism
Deconstructivism
Deconstructivism is a development of postmodern architecture that began in the late 1980s. It is characterized by ideas of fragmentation, an interest in manipulating ideas of a structure's surface or skin, non-rectilinear shapes which serve to distort and dislocate some of the elements of...
and the anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
genre Mecha
Mecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
, and can be seen in such automobile design examples as the BMW Z4
BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW USA's Greer, South Carolina plant, with production of both...
by Chris Bangle
Chris Bangle
Christopher Edward "Chris" Bangle is an American automobile designer. Bangle is known best for his work as Chief of Design for BMW Group, where he was responsible for the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce motor cars.- Biography :...
, the Ferrari Enzo
Enzo Ferrari (car)
The Enzo Ferrari is a 12 cylinder mid-engine berlinetta named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari. It was built in 2002 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fibre body, F1-style electrohydraulic shift transmission, and Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide ceramic composite...
, the Lamborghini Reventon
Lamborghini Reventón
The Lamborghini Reventón is a mid-engine sports car that debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is the most expensive Lamborghini road car to date, costing one million euros . Its top recorded speed was recorded in Dubai, UAE at...
, and Cadillac's Art and Science trend. Non-automotive examples include watch designs by Fossil, Inc.
Fossil, Inc.
Fossil, Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of clothing and accessories, primarily watches and jewelry, but also sunglasses, wallets, handbags, belts, shoes and clothing, based in Richardson, Texas, United States...
, the Batman
Batman (1989 film)
Batman is a 1989 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Michael Keaton in the title role, as well as Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl and Jack Palance...
film set by Anton Furst, and eyewear and other costuming from The Matrix
The Matrix
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
.
The Industrial Style attempts to acknowledge and celebrate sometimes contradictory forces and functions. A collection of shapes is unified in a composition where each piece maintains its internal logic and the connections between them are pronounced. This differs from the more traditional view of design where all the parts are subjugated to the betterment of the whole. Industrial Style relies on the viewer to see the pieces as a beautiful team of complements working toward a common goal rather than any singular, resolved shape.
It should not be confused with industrial design
Industrial design
Industrial design is the use of a combination of applied art and applied science to improve the aesthetics, ergonomics, and usability of a product, but it may also be used to improve the product's marketability and production...
which is the general applied art
Applied art
Applied art is the application of design and aesthetics to objects of function and everyday use. Whereas fine arts serve as intellectual stimulation to the viewer or academic sensibilities, the applied arts incorporate design and creative ideals to objects of utility, such as a cup, magazine or...
spanning many different styles. But the aesthetic is derived from Disruptive technology
Disruptive technology
A disruptive technology or disruptive innovation is an innovation that helps create a new market and value network, and eventually goes on to disrupt an existing market and value network , displacing an earlier technology there...
associated with industrial developments. Advances such as Stealth technology
Stealth technology
Stealth technology also termed LO technology is a sub-discipline of military tactics and passive electronic countermeasures, which cover a range of techniques used with personnel, aircraft, ships, submarines, and missiles, to make them less visible to radar, infrared, sonar and other detection...
, Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
, Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
material science, and Light-emitting diode
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
improvements can come together in a single design. The Audi R8 (road car) makes use of LEDs for head lights for arguably functional considerations, but they also offer the significant stylistic advantages for a high end sports of allowing a lower, sleeker, and more angular front end. Similarly, the Herman Miller leaf lamp by Yves Behar
Yves Behar
Yves Béhar is a designer, entrepreneur, and sustainability advocate. He is the founder of fuseproject, the San Francisco and New York based design and branding firm he established in 1999...
combines both technical and stylistic advantages of LED technology.
The Industrial Style also differs quite substantially from Primitivism
Primitivism
Primitivism is a Western art movement that borrows visual forms from non-Western or prehistoric peoples, such as Paul Gauguin's inclusion of Tahitian motifs in paintings and ceramics...
in that it uses sophisticated refinements to imply the idea. It can have esoteric resolutions with no deeper meaning other than the visual game itself.