Design Research: Design Journals of Countries of Interest

Japanese Style
I find the Japanese culture to be very interesting and worth learning about. One of the main reasons which I must admit to choosing to study this culture was the fact that my favorite type of food is Japanese. Every time I go into a Japanese Steak House I am fascinated with the design. I know that it is not exactly the same as it would be in the actual country because when in America it is also going to have an American sense of style also.

The Japanese Garden Journal, published by Douglas M. Roth, describes a very interesting overview of the culture's style. I was able to learn that the first main architectural style was shoin but changed and now for the past 400 years the architectural style has been sukiya. This is the style still to this day.

A traditional Japanese house, as considered by the Garden Journal, usually is known for the proportions, the integration of interior and exterior space. Japanese homes and the culture are known for a very clean look that appears to be simple and not cluttered. This is the reputation that they hold and one that I think is useful and beneficial. The typical aesthetic sense is targeted mainly towards a very sophisticated design with very minimal objects in the room. Never would you find a room that had large sofas, recliners, several lamps, a television, and all the things that us Americans typically place in our homes. This culture lives very minimally when it comes to the furniture and accessories that are placed within a room. Something that we are used to that they also take advantage of is the futon. They mostly use a futon as their bedding system. Bamboo flooring can mostly be found in the Western part of Japan although it can be found throughout the country. A typical door and window system is known as the Tategu. This is basically known as the sliding doors and windows that can be found in a Japanese house. As for the site/location as inspiration possibly depending on the overall location of the culture because like stated above depending on the region different materials might be used and different resources can be called upon.

Source: Journal of Japanese Gargening, www.rothteien.com

Swedish Style
Setting a high standard for itself, the Swedish Style of Design has to compete at a international level. The section of the blog will concentrate more closely on industrial design instead a residential concentration. As stated by the source, the Swedish government decided that the year 2005 was the year of Design. With this said it was financially backed with Ministry of Industry, Employment and Communications, and the Ministry of Culture.

In Sweden there are two main divisions of designers including industrial designers and free artisans. Some contributions to this division is the new use of materials and an introduction to different manufacturing technologies. This was all happening in a period in the 1950's.

Interior Design of Sweden concentrates on capable designers who have made themselves associate themselves with larger furniture companies. Now though some designers are teaming with smaller furniture design firms because they tend to focus on a more functional accessories.

This journal states that all Swedish design has several things in common and those as directly quoted "are the result of ergonomic judgments inseparably blended with aesthetic considerations." Also quoted that "everyone seems to agree nowadays that beauty is also a function." I actually find this second statement interesting and also the fact that I think that I agree with it. I do think that beauty has a large role and should be taken as seriously.

One aspect that I think Sweden design is known for is "The Nordic Light" and how it is applied to simple shapes, light colored wood furniture, pale colors, and textiles that involve checks and stripes. Swedish design is described as over-decorated and quite rational. Swedish design in the industrial sense should actually be considered international design.

Source: sweden.se

Australian Style
The design style for Australia is a wide range of different designs. One thing that most designers and architects have in common is that they have similar inspirations for their designs. When looking at the buildings we are able to see the history of the culture. Depending on the location in Australia the style of design is can be different. A modernist style of architecture can be found in the northern part of New South Wales, throughout Queensland, the Northern Territory, and the Kimberley. For example in Western Australia the architects are more concerned with their structures not disturbing the natural environment. Most of the structures built had to have considered the climate very greatly.

A quote that I liked from this source is, "Architecture... one word... countless possibilites. It can delight of disturb, change our lives, and finally outlive us... So with a leap of faith, we put our trust in the mind of the architect." Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Program Transcript of episode 1 of Keeping the Faith

The main thing that I found while researching was that the care of the culture's history is very important to the designs in which they come up with. I think this is special and very interesting. A famous building that we all know is the Sydney Opera House.

Source: Australian Government: Culture and Recreation Portal