Day 21

Influences of streamline on current desing.

Introduction

As mentioned previously, the Streamline movement has contributed enormously to modern design.  Aerodynamics, modernism and efficiency still take priority in the foundations of contemporary design and the teardrop, or bullet shape, has now become a common feature within transport and household appliances.

The Maglev

Figure 1: EOL Maglev train – Vanja Valencak

 

Today’s trains still adopt the shape that characterized the Streamlined trains of the 1920’s; Vanja Valencak’s Maglev train, for example, which runs on electromagnets allowing us to travel at more than 300 miles per hour, is almost a caricature of one of Raymond Loewy’s Streamlined locomotives. Whilst Loewy tried to hide the engines and inner workings of his trains with bullet shaped exteriors, the Maglev doesn’t even have an engine, emitting zero pollution. The concepts used in the design of the train have even been applied to space travel, an idea that was regularly mentioned in Sci-Fi literature during the height of the Streamline movement. It is as if the designers of today take inspiration, not only from the 1920‘s Streamliners’ work, but also from their futuristic dreams.

Iphone

Apple IPhone

 

The Apple iPhone 5S could be an example of modern day Streamlining. The curved edges and use of aluminium in its construction are classic characteristics of the Streamline movement, especially in its later stages when static objects were being given the same aerodynamic characteristics as those designed as means of transport. The design is persuasive, provocative and futuristic; again reflecting the synthesis and ethos of Streamline design while meeting industrial aims to increase consumerism.

 

Furniture design & Interior design

Before streamline intruded interior design of homes in late 1930’s, average American homes were cubo-futuristic. Transition of interior design and furniture influenced by streamline, modernized homes of upper and middle class that established consistency within homes, offices and industrial products – coining the age of streamline.

During the 30’s homes became expensive to purchase leaving average american reluctant to invest into properties or streamlined interiors.  Donald Deskey’s expression of interiors of deluxe dining rooms stretching beyond the confines of city apartments led way to domestic arrangement of interiors. The transition of separated rooms to a recreation area eliminated the dining room; encouraging sales of apartment and interior refurbishment.  Domestic interiors by Deskey came with streamline appearance delivered contemporaries of the time; many families began to invest into the industrial interiors for the sake of having spacious apartments/rooms even at the expense.

Leading examples of Lowey’s contemporary, Donald Deskey interior for socialite Eleanor Hutton Rand encouraged plethora of families into streamlined homes. Luxuries of a recreation rooms expanding from the confines of living room suddenly made interiors modern, cool and spacious –  propelling Rand’s living room into the 30’s mainstream.

Figure 1: Dondal Deskey, rendering of Rand’s apartment, New York

Highly durable linoleum flooring with double lines stretching across the room whilst complement furniture form and plan translated streamline evoking elegant yet informal lifestyle of the modern apartment – through Deskeys fascination for streamlined shapes and new materials.

Another examples following interiors adopting streamline decoration & Deskeys spacious arrangements is Lowey’s living room in Lowey’s Penthouse, transformed conventional box room via streamline.

Decorated fireplace mantel was rectangular on the left and rounded on the right and above it a circular mirror replacing a traditional rectangular mirror which neighbored vase-shaped sconce. Low line furniture following the lines of the fireplace mantel allowed streamlined characteristic to be achieved.

Figure 2: Living room at Lowey’s pent house.

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It was evident that products designed by industrial designers incorporated futuristic and aerodynamic appearance to match products used indoors. Executive chair design by Mauser in Germany 1939 (figure 2) holds a smooth table top and two rounded legs decorated with elongated lines, resembling shape of a streamlined ocean liner. Taking this example, we notice that contemporary furniture shares a full 3breath of streamline – ICON desk (figure 3 ) by Arco, it is simple, rounded, smooth and takes form of the teardrop. ICON desk appearance also stems from 50’s Cadillac design, whereby the of long pointy tails branded the style of automotive of the 30’s – 50’s. Michele’s design approach was to give ICON Desk a hovering, futuristic, appearance to pretend the desk was a vehicle in itself, like a hover craft – another repeated idea within literature of the 30’s.

Figure 2: Excutive office desk by Mauser Werke, Waldeck

Figure 3: ICON Desk by Michele

Efficacy being a major factor of streamline, Michele designed the ICON desk to tackle problems that restrict speed of work whilst appearing elegant and cool. Width of the table and units to eliminate wires form the surface to provide optimum space, was believed to reduce clutter and provide an efficient workspace. Due to influence of efficiency via streamline modern, majority of contemporary office desk are designed to be less dramatic in form and efficient.

It could be speculated that modern day furniture not only take inspiration form the forms of streamline but mainly the focus of efficiency.

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Streamline Clothing

 

Characteristics of the 30’s movement not only inspire the outfits of architecture, products and travel, but also led to development in fashion on sports apparel and trendy outfits. Examples such as The LZR Racer suit by speedo, 2008 and Light Suits costume design of TRON Legacy, 2010 – SCI-FI film demonstrates streamline fashion of today and tomorrow.

 

LZR Racer swim suit by speedo consist of; strategically placed patches that reduce drag, elastic suit material provides an air tight fit to make the body streamline/ aerodynamic and gives the suit an overall futuristic, Avant Garde appearance. The suit went under wind tests via facilities at NASA and was later released in 2008 for the Beijing Olympics. Streamline influence on the suit design resulted in setting new world records almost regularly for water sports whilst reducing human performance. Later the LZR Racer faced a ban because the athletes relied on streamline technology rather than physical capabilities.

 

“I felt like a rocket wearing the suit” – Michael Phelps

 

 

 

Figure 1: LZR Racer suit worn by Michael Phelps

 

The suit was later dubbed ‘the rubber suit’ because it gave the user a ‘rubber skin’ that repels water on contact with the surface of the suit increasing the streamline affect, function & form of the user- allowing you  to travel efficiently and faster. This streamline technology and form of the suit is currently being practiced in sports where natural elements restrict performance, such as cycling apparel for heavy wind conditions and jerseys for football teams for less tug and pull.

 

Figure 3: Re-inventing LZR Racer suit by University of the Arts London.

 

Although streamline has participated in changing the appearance and function of sports gear; it is realised that streamline costume design in cinemas has opened doors to smooth air tight high street fashion trends.

 

TRON Legacy, 2010 – Streamline film of synthesised world and a concept of the future. Costumes used in the film went on to inspiring leading fashion brand Versace to release a clothing range that takes the streamline light suit fashion approach – giving high street fashion a new genre of clothing.

 

 

 

Figure 3: TRON Legacy, 2010 – Light suits

 

For a synthesised world theme, the light suits powered by lithium batteries is originally cut very close to the body to give an industrial look. Even though the costumes were produced for the film, the idea of air tight streamlined fashion in the film draws smooth surface and line work found in streamline architecture and travel, which later inspired Versace and high street fashion.

 

 

Figure 4: Versace – TRON inspired fashion show

 

It is Fairley clear that streamline fashion is here to say because it gives a futuristic look, reveals curvature of the body and ultimately makes the outfit look sleek and attractive. Skinny Jeans, lace less shoes, slim ties, and discrete cuff links echo streamline fashion of today.