A drawing can depict designed object so perfectly, that it is unlikely ever to have been realized as shown. For example, the designer can ignore the technical limitations of a particular material, or he can imagine a work of art on which various makers would need to work together so concertedly as to be practically impossible. The drawing can then not be regarded as a working design, but rather as an ideal image of an artistically made object. Collectors might be especially interested in such ‘pure’ design drawings, for example when these were based on models from classical antiquity. But strictly speaking they are fantasy designs.
Left to right: Unknown, design for an armchair, c. 1530-1545. Unknown, design for an earthenware stove, c. 1745-1750. Johann Samuel Nahl de Jongere, design for a stove, c. 1776-1785. Unknown, design for an organ clock, c. 1790-1795.
These days, designers are still searching for the ideal design, as are Jos Kranen and Johannes Gille of Kranen/Gille. In their eyes, that is a design that is a little abrasive, but right. As a result, their design process is not just limited to pencil and paper: as soon as possible they are working out their sketches in completely different ways, for instance using a 3D printer. In the video below, they tell you more about their search for the ideal design and how their collaboration plays a big part in this.
