Today we have witnessed the launch of two design products from some of our most beloved designers, the Samsung Serif TV by the Boroullec Brothers, and the 'liberating' Punkt MP01 smartphones.
The Serif TV shows the Boroullec Brothers' interpretation of what TV should be; a TV designed more as a piece of furniture. It's interesting, semi-functional, semi-quirky form makes us long for an escape from recent ambitious but failed attempts to deliver a paper thin display. It's splayed edges allow the top surface to be used as a place of rest for various things, and the bottom offers a functional base. However, I find the typographic reference queasy in the same way I think the Mondaine Helvetica watch is tacky.
The Punkt MP01 promotes itself as a liberating and tasteful dumb phone. The phone offers only basic functions in an attempt to streamline peoples lives who have been confused by the current movement for more and more complex smart-devices. As an essay in good form it seems faultless - the off-kilter row of buttons is a clever use of gestalt, and the application of Ramsian minimallism is perfect, as is the perfect relation between the phones aesthetic and what can be seen on screen.
But let's be serious. Firstly, I'd like to what prices are being charged for these devices. Punkt clocks are selling for
£85 at the moment, but will not wake me up 21 times as well as a
£3.99 Alarm clock I can buy from Argos. Unfortunately, I also doubt the TV will be sold at a properly competitive price.
The problem with this 'designer price' is that it will totally consume the objective and intention, however well meaning, of the phone in question. I recently helped my grandma choose her new phone, we got her the most basic Doro - Phone.
Oh look, it's virtually identical. Yeah, the execution isn't quite the same but here is a phone which made it's way into the EE store virtually for free after a £20 top-up. The lack of a superstar name behind it meant it made little impact upon the readers of Dezeen.
The above cases are what is unfortunate about the world of design today, in a similar sentiment to previous posts on this blog. 'Design' wallows around, I think it focuses on either making an 'impact', focusing on ideas, 'art' and/or fashion; or burying itself in execution; with much focus on virtuvian ideals, whilst failing to make any market impact. On the other hand, design which makes it into peoples homes is oftentimes either plain Bad, Manipulative or Trend focused; and therefore wasteful.
The Television is an example of a massive company - Samsung (that great bastion of real design passion) - basically using the design world for a brief kick, (even though it is losing other battles in other fields to actual good design). The Punkd phone represents the other side of where consultancy design is today; a small partnership destined to live in high end, cultural, stores. Both of these are disappointing fates for genuine design talent and good intention.
Apple have proven there is a way to be both big and human focused, and I really pray there will be some other kind of similar movement in a different field in the near future - perhaps Tesla will do it? Nest? or maybe a revolution will arise in an already formed company.
