During the Middle Ages, didactic design considerations emerged that were of great importance – often having a strong link to historical events at the time. Some of these designs also have an influence on contemporary product design. This essay will show, through analysis and discussion of several designs from the medieval era, as well as some historical background to the time period of the designs, how morally-instructive (didactic) design considerations came about during the Middle Ages and of what importance they were during this period. This essay will also discuss how contemporary product design is influenced and affected by the designs from that time period.
This essay will focus on the following examples of design to support discussions:
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During the medieval period, stained-glass was not considered as a mere building material, but rather a medium for portraying a theme, much like painting on canvas (Saint-Saens, 1995; 127). Commonly these windows depicted Biblical parables, allegories and figures (Korzilius, 1999).
The image of an early 13th century stained glass window in the Trinity Chapel of Canterbury Cathedral depicts one of St Thomas Becket’s miracles. The story is shown starting in the bottom, read from left to right, then continues in the top row and finally in the middle row (Web Art Gallery; 2016).
Just like the architectural and decorative symbolism of the rest of the cathedral, stained-glass formed an integral part of the didactic design considerations at the time. The importance of its role lies in its help to those unable to read (Saint-Saens, 1995; 127). As was often the case in the middle ages, many – especially those of lower classes – were illiterate and were therefore unable to read the Bible. By depicting parables and morally-instructive stories for the Bible on a simple, understandable level, stained-glass windows showed how to live a “holy” live.
DIDACTIC DESIGN IN FURNITURE – The Cathedra of Bishop Elias
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No longer is it used by designers to instruct others about the morality as was done in medieval times. This is likely due to the shift in focus from conforming to a single religion – with this religion forming to core a person’s life – to a focus on individuality and accommodating all religions and cultures. That said didactic design may affect us in ways free from the religious aspect. The idea of using imagery and symbolism to convince others to agree with us is quite common in our time. It is often used by graphic designers in an advertisement of a product or in the design of an eye-catching poster. It is also used by satire cartoonists meaning to spread their opinion – for example “Zapiro” and “Madan & Eve” that reflect political
The Medieval West was an era of country folk and rural communities. During this era, agriculture was a means of survival and people lived in rural communities known as villages (Duby 167). In his article, Rural Economy and Country Folk in the Medieval West, Georges Duby recounts the daily lives of those who lived in the Medieval West during this time period. Those who lived in this time did not live an easy life. There existed many struggles within the communities. Many complications arose that were not present in say, the Roman Empire. According to Paul Veyne’s, Pleasures and Excesses in the Roman Empire, the Medieval West palled in comparison. In my own humble opinion, I would choose to live in Veyne’s description of the Roman empire as opposed
By becoming close with Robert, the man in this story experienced what was necessary to gain an understanding of what life is like for the blind. The man began to draw the cathedral to try and help Robert visualize what one looked like. What he didn't realize at the time was that Robert was helping him to visualize what blindness felt like. Bibliography: Carver, Raymond. "Cathedral".
A cathedral, besides being a grand and aesthetically pleasing architectural work, carries a very meaningful and symbolic connotation to it that has been building up for thousands of years. It is a place where one can find truth and strive for eternal happiness. The cathedral symbolizes equality and answers to all that humans seek out to find in the non-material world. Because of this benevolent and mystical connotation, drawing a cathedral had a profound effect on the narrator in terms of his wisdom and spirituality.
The blind man and his drawing of the Cathedral are able to defy his previous conceptions of life and thus open a vast array of new possibilities. We are left wondering how much more the narrator learned about himself and about human communication than the blind man has learnt about cathedrals. Bibliography:.. Carver, Raymond. A.
These twin bronze pulpits, covered with reliefs showing the passion of Christ, are works of tremendous spiritual depth and complexity. Even though some parts were left unfinished, they had to be completed by lesser artists. Bibliography:.. 1. What is the difference between a. 1998 Microsoft Encarta. Copyright 1993-1997 Microsoft Corporation.
Papanicolaou, Linda Morey. “Stained Glass from the Cathedral of Tours: The Impact of the Sainte-Chapelle in the 1240’s.” Metropolitan Museum Journal, Vol. 15, (1980): pp. 53-66. Print.
The clothing of the Middle Ages, like everything else was decided by the pyramid of power. The pyramid of power was the Middle Ages Feudal System. Medieval clothes provided information about the rank of the person wearing them. From the 11th through the 14th centuries, medieval clothing assorted according to the social standing of the people. The clothing worn by nobility and upper classes was clearly different than that of the lower class. Medieval clothes provided information about the status of the person wearing them. The clothing and fashion during the medieval era of the Middle Ages was conquered and highly influenced by the Kings and Queens of the era. Only the wealthy could dress in fashionable clothes.
After walking inside and trying to first experience, the church, and all its beauty and ornateness, I began examining the floor plan and elevations of the cathedral. Grace Cathedral was build in a gothic style, which it represents in its architecture inside and out. There were three huge rose windows. One at the very top of the main entrance and one on either end of the transept. There wer...
Baim, Joseph. "Past and Present in D. H. Lawrence's 'A Fragment of Stained Glass.'" Studies in
At first glance, one might assume Raymond Carver’s "Cathedral" illustrates the awakening of an insensitive and insulated husband to the world of a blind man. However, this literal awakening does not account for the fact that the husband awakens also to a world of religious insight, of which he has also been blind. The title and story structure are the first indicators of the importance of the religious thesis. It is also revealed when one examines the language and actions of the characters in the story. Finally, Carver’s previous and subsequent writings give an overall background for the argument that "Cathedral" has a significant religious import.
This cathedral was built during the Medieval Period for the worshipers of God. To this day pilgrims come to see the pure, Gothic cathedral. The massive cathedral seems to loom overhead as if a symbol of God watching over the worshippers that visit. The earlier church burned in 1194, it was rebuilt and has gained a much more appreciated and admirable character distinction, statuary, and stained glass. The distinct character of the thirteenth century was captured, through the “Age of Faith” period. The architecture is Gothic which was very popular in the 1200s. Gothic architects created a frame of support with columns and arches so that the walls no longer need to support the ceilings, but are freed up to hold windows. The Gothic structure allows for plenty of windows. Chartres has a significant collection of medieval stained glass, with over 150 early thirteenth century windows. The windows allowed sunlight to enter the dark, Gothic cathedral in order to highlight the story of Christ through the stained glass windows told throughout history to pilgrims alike. These windows create a spiritual and promising place for thought and prayer. Stained glass was used to help teach the stories of Christ to people that were illiterate during the medieval times. While most worshippers of that day were illiterate, comprehending the symbolism of the story of Christ in each of the windows was vital and gave meaning towards adversity during the medieval ages, as they struggled through their dark and dreary lives, which were filled with hopefulness, while viewing the story through the stained glass windows. The windows are also...
The windows were of stained glass showing bible stories and saints lives in them, And the design structure enabled cathedrals to rise higher than ever. It even became a contest for architects – who could build a cathedral as tall as possible. A cross shape was used for windows allowing crossbowmen to shoot attackers from the inside, and a cross plan was also used for the shape of a cathedral as seen from a bird’s eye view.
Wicked Problems in Design Thinking Author(s): Richard Buchanan Source: Design Issues, Vol. 8, No. 2 (Spring, 1992), pp. 5-21 Published by: The MIT Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/
In the art world, the medieval periods were traditionally though to be the unproductive phase of Europe between the decline of Rome and the Renaissance. Our modern feelings toward medieval art are far more appreciative. The main intent of Medieval art was to express Christianity which was also a common bond between a wide spread and diverse Europe. For this reason most of the art found from medieval times originated in monasteries and churches. European art during the Middle Ages can be divided into four periods. These four periods include Celto-Germanic art which ranged from 400 to 800 A.D. and was important in metal work. Carolingian art ranged from 750 to 987 A.D. overlapping 50 years of the Celto-Germanic period. The period of Romanesque art spanned mainly the eleventh and twelfth centuries, and was an important period for medieval architecture. Gothic art, the final period of the Middle Age art began in the Romanesque period around the twelfth century and went on until the sixteenth century. Artwork form these four periods all consist of distinct styles setting them apart from one another.
When I was a child I used to be frightened of entering such a place for it seemed so imposing and somewhat dangerous, especially when music was being played. One day, in order to keep a promise I had made, I saw myself forced to enter. It took me quite a while to get the courage to pass through the old oak door, but the moment I stepped in, I realized just how enchanting and breathtaking this building could be. Its fantastic architecture and exquisite frescoes reflect perfectly the unity between this earth and the unseen kingdom of angels in such a manner that one cannot say where one ends and the other begins. The way in which the church was built is also the vivid testimony of a medieval period. Although it is a place that can sometimes be cold and ask for respect it is where prayers are answered and magic is done. An overwhelming feeling of inner harmony takes over you once you enter and God seems much closer. Darkness and light are welded perfectly together creating Redemption’s house. The tower allows you to see the entire town from the smallest river to the biggest building site, offering you its mightiness.