TOML

Major Design Movements - TOML

A collection of four major design movements that defined the 20th century. Bauhaus (1919-1933) pursued functionalism and the unity of art and craft; Art Deco (1920s-30s) featured geometric decoration and luxury; Mid-Century Modern (1940s-60s) was an organic modernism that flourished in post-war America; and Minimalism (1960s onwards) pursued ultimate simplicity with the philosophy of 'less is more.' These movements have profoundly influenced contemporary architecture, interior design, and product design.

design history Bauhaus Art Deco Mid-Century Modern Minimalism architecture interior design

[[items]]
code = "01"
slug = "bauhaus"
name = "Bauhaus"
description = "An innovative design school pursuing functionalism and the unity of art and craft."
characteristics = "[\"Geometric forms\",\"Primary colors and achromatic colors\",\"Use of new materials\",\"Elimination of excessive ornamentation\",\"Mass production and democratization of design\"]"
keyFigures = "[\"Walter Gropius\",\"Ludwig Mies van der Rohe\",\"Paul Klee\",\"Wassily Kandinsky\",\"Marcel Breuer\"]"
origin = "Weimar, Germany"
period = "1919-1933"

[[items]]
code = "02"
slug = "art-deco"
name = "Art Deco"
description = "A decorative art style characterized by geometric ornamentation and luxury."
characteristics = "[\"Geometric patterns\",\"Streamlined forms\",\"Luxurious materials\",\"Vibrant colors\",\"Symbols of the machine age\"]"
keyFigures = "[\"Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann\",\"Erté\",\"William Van Alen\",\"Tamara de Lempicka\"]"
origin = "Paris, France"
period = "1920s-1930s"

[[items]]
code = "03"
slug = "mid-century-modern"
name = "Mid-Century Modern"
description = "An organic modernist design that flourished in post-war America."
characteristics = "[\"Organic forms\",\"New materials like plywood and FRP\",\"Functionality and practicality\",\"Harmony with nature\",\"Bold colors\"]"
keyFigures = "[\"Charles & Ray Eames\",\"Hans J. Wegner\",\"Alvar Aalto\",\"Eero Saarinen\",\"George Nelson\"]"
origin = "USA (primarily California)"
period = "1940s-1960s"

[[items]]
code = "04"
slug = "minimalism"
name = "Minimalism"
description = "A design movement pursuing ultimate simplicity with the philosophy 'less is more.'"
characteristics = "[\"Basic geometric forms\",\"Industrial materials\",\"Emphasis on negative space\",\"Limited color palette\",\"Optimization of function\"]"
keyFigures = "[\"Donald Judd\",\"Carl Andre\",\"Dan Flavin\",\"Sol LeWitt\",\"Agnes Martin\"]"
origin = "New York, USA"
period = "1960s-present"