British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Design 1

Synopsis
The DVD features the 6 26-minute programmes in a series that places the art of design in its sociological and technological context. The programmes tell the story of the 20th century through six industrial objects that have become icons, reflecting their time whilst at the same time reflecting the future. The object covered are: 1) The DS 19 - this car met with immediate success when it was launched in October 1955, and was some ten years ahead of the competition. The public went into raptures over its technology and avant-garde design. Roland Barthes saw "humanised art" in it, and a shift in car mythology 2) The Bubble Club Sofa - in just three pencil strokes, Philippe Starck explains the concept of his Bubble Club Sofa, which finally democratised the settee. Based on a great 20s classic, he created a settee in roto-moulded plastic, which is an original manufacturing process from the Italian firm Kartell 3) The Bic Ballpoint Pen - In 1950, Baron Marcel Bich launched the BIC Cristal pen. This ballpoint pen, remarkable for its quality-writing and simple, practical shape, revolutionized writing practices. More than half a century later, it continues with its timeless design to be part of daily life throughout the world. This film follows the thread of this writing revolution. 4) The Akari Lamp - To create Akari lamps, those resolutely modern lamps made out of fragile and light-weight paper, American-Japanese sculptor and designer, Isamu Noguchi, took his inspiration from traditional Japanese lanterns, sculpting light into forms 5) The Hoover 150 - created by designer Henry Dreyfuss in 1934, this was the first model of vacuum cleaner to successfully combine form and function. The name "Hoover" became so popular, it was soon to replace the word vacuum cleaner among American consumer 6) The iMac - In 1998, the egg-shaped, transparent, user-friendly and colourful iMac exploded onto the beige and grey computer market like a bolt from the blue. Designer Jonathan Ive demystified the computer which then rapidly started entering people’s homes.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Year of release
2007
Year of production
2006
Subjects
Design; Technology
Keywords
history of technology; industrial design; product design; social history

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 2 PAL
Price
£25.99
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
156 minutes
Year
2007

Production Company

Name

ARTE France

Email
http://www.arteboutique.com/inputContact.action
Web
http://boutique.arte.tv/ External site opens in new window
Address
STACI
ARTE Boutique 1610
B.P. 59124 - 95074 Cergy Pontoise
France
Notes
An extensive range of programmes broadcast on the French Arte channel, relating to art and culture. Most are only available in French, but some have English audio or subtitles. Sale on Region 2 PAL DVD.

Distributor

Name

Quantum Leap

Notes
The company ceased trading in 2018. It was previously a distributor and online retailer specialising in non-fiction DVD titles on a wide variety of subjects, particularly in the areas of music instruction, music performance, sport instruction, and health. Some titles also available through retail outlets.
 

Available from retail outlets

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