Design zen

 

 (Shihoko Fukumoto)

I absolutely love Japanese design. There is something so simple yet stunning, so natural yet elegant and so well executed and thought out that just creates such a perfect overall piece that you can only admire in awe. I have discovered that there are the 7 Japanese principles which can be applied to all areas of your life but can definitely be found present in beautiful Japanese design. They are:

1. Simplicity- uncomplicated
2. Irregularity- uneven, irregular
3. Austere- beauty in being understated
4. Naturalness- raw, non-artificial
5. Profundity- avoid obvious, not revealing all
6. Unworldly- freedom from habits
7. Tranquillity- stillness, energised calm

I think I can learn from these principles and I am going to work these ideas into my design process from now on to help me to evolve as a textile artist and create my best work yet!....Here goes.... :)

To find out more here are a couple of links to more indepth explanations of the 7 theories of Japanese philosophy:

http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2009/09/exposing-ourselves-to-traditional-japanese-aesthetic-ideas-notions-that-may-seem-quite-foreign-to-most-of-us-is-a-goo.html

http://www.designsojourn.com/theories-behind-japanese-design/