Assignment 3: Beauty + Utility

 By saying that "construction should be decorated. Decoration should never be purposely constructed", Owen Jones is implying that the functions of objects, architecture and images should be the central aspect of the design. He believed that the design should not be basing the functions around aesthetic beauty, as this hinders the "true principles" of design, creating an illusional and impractical perspective. In the context of mass industrialisation, with social and economic changes, Jones saw the influence of indulgent design and expressed the importance of using design that was honest to what society needed at the time. During the industrialisation of the UK in the 19th Century, society needed functional, rather than frivolous and wasteful, design.

Resource for image: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/works-of-art/2000.46


This textile design by Owen Jones, "Italian" c. 1873, is a prime example of what was considered more "construction decorated" than "decoration constructed". The wallpaper has a two dimensional design that uses abstract and repetitive organic patterns, as opposed to illusionistic images that made walls appear scenic rather than flat. The use of organic visuals was part of the "true principles" that represented "construction decorated", as nature was considered an example of honest design, which I believe is functional and beautiful, and not overtly embellished.