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Organic design

Glossary

Organic design

Organic design is a style of product design which takes as its starting point organic, flowing natural forms.

Undulating lines, dynamic curves, and powerful arches stand in contrast to the geometric, functional style as represented by functionalism. The aspiration towards organic design can be seen time and again in the development of modern product design: the 1946 Vespa motorised scooter by Piaggio features a streamlined, domed chassis. Designed in 1950, the fibreglass “Dax” armchair by Charles Eames features an organically formed seat. In the 1970s, organically designed plastic furniture blossomed. From 2000, car design was characterised by a strong trend towards flowing forms (e.g. the redesigned Mini Cooper). Designs by product designers such as Ron Arad, Luigi Colani, Massimo Iosa Ghini, Ross Lovegrove, and Philippe Starck are clearly influenced by organic design.