Friday 17 October 2014

Anti- Design was a movement that originated in Italy and spanned from 1966-1980.

Notable characteristics included use of striking colours, distortion of scale and ironic/kitsch presentation.

The primary function of their designs was to subvert the way the user thought about the object. This was a form of open rebellion against the avant-garde designers working in the industry at that time, who conformed heavily to the perfectionist aesthetic of modernism. 

A key spokesman for the movement was Ettore Stottsass, who later went on to found the Memphis 
design group. 

Other notable groups are Archigram and Superstudio 

The movements manifestos can still be considered revolutionary, focusing on function over beauty and principles such as temporary and throw away design that reflects the mass production of objects to fulfil consumerist greed. 

Their main aim was to make people think and engage with the products, even if they did ultimately throw them away. 

The movement ultimately became the root of post modernist design. 

Designers within the movement include; 


Vico Magistretti, Gianfranco Franco Franchini, Livio Castiglioni, Enzo Mari, Piero Gilardi and Paolo Lomazzi 



The Boalum Flexible Lamp 1979 
Manufactured by Artemide 
Designed by Gianfranco Franco Franchini & Livio Castiglioni

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