OUGD502 - Studio Brief 2 - Pitch / Wayfinding - Arts and Crafts Movement Research

Features of the Arts and Crafts Features

It was considered that ore research needed to be done into the aesthetic of the Arts and Crafts movement to allow us to play on the concept more in terms of design. I researched into this more so we had more context.

- the movement began in Britain in the 1880s

- the movement was named after the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society founded in 1887 which contained a variety of societies, workshops and manufacturers.

- it focused on the quality of materials and design 

- William Morris and John Ruskin were important figures within the Arts and Crafts movement 

- the movement developed in reaction to industrialisation

- the style has things in common with Art Noveau and led to the development of Bauhaus and modernism

Characteristics of the Arts and Crafts Movement

- Truth to materials - which aimed to preserve and emphasise the natural qualities of the materials used within the design  

- Simple forms - decoration was kept to a minimum and the construction of the object was often left exposed  

- Natural motifs - natural patterns were inspired by the British countryside 

- The vernacular - traditions of the countryside were an inspiration for the Arts and Crafts movement. Arts and Crafts workshops were set up in rural areas and they used old techniques 

Style 

- handmade

- simple forms with little ornamentation

- beauty of natural materials 

- copper and pewter sometimes with a hammered finish 

- stylised flowers, Celtic motifs, upside down hearts  

Influences of the Arts and Crafts movement 

- medieval styles

- socialism 

- the refined style of Japanese art

Types of Arts and Crafts 

- Furniture is wooden and handmade, with cut outs of upside down hearts, copper and leather are used 

- Floors are often dark wood e.g. parquet

- Colour schemes include cream, terracotta, mustrad yellow, olive green, deep blue and deep crimson

- Walls are wood panelled and painted dull green or greeny blue

- Wallpaper was created using vegetable dyes and wood blocks and are often repeat patterns 

- Tiles use colours such as turquoise, cobalt blue, greens and reds and have images of galleons and flowers 

- The Orient is common through blue and white China, palm leaves and rugs

- Stained Glass was popular because of its medieval style 

- Lighting is often plain wall scounces (candle holder design)

- Flowers in simple arrangements or potted house plants 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/homes/design/period_artscrafts.shtml

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/style-guide-arts-and-crafts/