Choose a design field or industry, and select 2-3 theories that have led to the field becoming what it is today
Design field or industry: Industrial Design
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Industrial Design: The Evolution of a Creative Discipline
Introduction
Industrial design is a dynamic and rapidly evolving field that plays a crucial role in shaping the products and experiences we encounter in our daily lives. It combines the principles of art, engineering, and business to create innovative solutions that improve functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. Over the years, several theories and concepts have emerged, influencing the trajectory of industrial design. This essay will explore three such theories that have contributed to the growth and development of the field: the Bauhaus movement, user-centered design, and sustainable design.
1. The Bauhaus Movement
The Bauhaus movement, founded by Walter Gropius in 1919 in Germany, revolutionized the way designers approached industrial design. It aimed to bridge the gap between art and industry by emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and mass production. The movement sought to eradicate the ornate and decorative design prevalent at the time and instead focused on form following function.
The Bauhaus philosophy had a profound impact on industrial design by promoting the integration of artistry and practicality. It introduced the concept of designing for mass production, enabling designers to create products that were not only aesthetically pleasing but also affordable and accessible to a broader audience. This emphasis on simplicity and minimalism laid the foundation for modern industrial design principles that are still influential today.
2. User-Centered Design
One of the most significant advancements in industrial design theory is the shift towards user-centered design. This theory posits that successful design should prioritize the needs, preferences, and experiences of end-users. It advocates for involving users throughout the design process, from research and ideation to prototyping and testing.
User-centered design has transformed industrial design by placing emphasis on empathy and understanding the context in which a product will be used. By involving users early on in the design process, designers can gather valuable insights and feedback, ensuring that the final product meets their needs and desires. This approach has led to the creation of more intuitive, user-friendly, and delightful products that resonate with consumers.
3. Sustainable Design
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of industrial design. This has led to the emergence of sustainable design theory, which advocates for creating products and systems that minimize harm to the environment throughout their lifecycle. Sustainable design encompasses various aspects, including material selection, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and recyclability.
The theory of sustainable design has forced industrial designers to rethink their approach to product development. It has pushed them to consider the environmental implications of their designs and seek innovative solutions that minimize waste and resource consumption. By integrating sustainable practices into industrial design, designers can contribute to a more sustainable future while still delivering aesthetically pleasing and functional products.
Conclusion
Industrial design has undergone significant changes over time, thanks to theories such as the Bauhaus movement, user-centered design, and sustainable design. The Bauhaus movement’s emphasis on simplicity and functionality paved the way for modern industrial design principles. User-centered design brought a human-centric approach that prioritizes user needs and experiences throughout the design process. Lastly, sustainable design has forced designers to consider environmental implications and seek innovative ways to minimize harm.
As industrial design continues to evolve, it is essential for designers to stay abreast of new theories and concepts that shape their field. By embracing these theories, designers can create products that not only meet user needs but also contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future. In doing so, they will play a vital role in shaping our world for generations to come.
