Form And Function - Larry Mendte

"What is more important, Form or Function?"  It is like asking what if Hydrogen or Oxygen is more important in the composition of water.  It matters little what you consider more important, as both are necessary; both interact, compliment and support each other as means to an end.  


If you take the question at its face, it is possible to argue that form is more important.  For a form can exist without a function, but a function cannot exist without form.  But a form, lets say lint, without a function makes it inconsequential, and thus by definition unimportant.


I know the very exercise can get silly.  But no more silly that the over analysis of the simple fact stated by Louis Young that "form follows function."  Of course it does, it must.  The argument seems to be based purely in semantics and usually the maligned definition of the word "form" to mean "art."  For function to become reality it must take form and form must follow making both equally important in the process for neither would exist without the other.


"Is it possible to design with only the function in mind?"  The easy answer would be "of course."   The aggregation news site" The Drudge Report"  comes to mind as a site that seems to be designed purely for function.  It is stark and simple.  All function and little design.


But when you hear that The Drudge Report had to defend the copyright of its design several times, you understand that the simplicity of the design was and is artistic.  The shadowed block letters give the feeling of importance.  The sole picture at the single large picture at the top catches your attention.  And the black newsprint on white mirrors the newspapers the articles are lifted from, giving comfort to the news searcher.  


And so the answer is again one of semantics.  If the function of a site is whittled to its most basic purpose, than no it is not possible to design with only function in mind.  Function is just a starting point.  But if you broaden function to mean marketing, comfort, ease, feel and connecting with an audience, then yes.  In fact, form then becomes function.  


   

Form and Function

Form tells us what things are and exposes us to the visual aspect of design. Function is the intended purpose of something and its reason for existing. With these definitions in mind I think function is more important. A website may exists (form) but the purpose of that website is what is important to viewers (function).

In “Form vs. Function: Finding the Balance,” Nick Finck says, “Large corporate sites are often packed with functionality, as one can usually find any information needed on them.” He explains that corporate websites aren’t always visually appealing but they contain all the information that one needs. It is pleasant to open a website and have it easily accessible but what is contained on that website is the bigger picture.

I do believe that it is possible to design with only function in mind. When designing a website people know what information they want to have exposed to everyone but don’t always know the layout beforehand. Form helps guide the eye on a website but function is what provides the information. In “What Came First-Form or Function?,” Abhijit Nadgouda says, “function serves as a guide to design the form.” Navigational buttons and aesthetics will help the flow of a website but the true idea behind it is its function, the reason that the website was built. If you take away function and all you have is form, then you remove the reason for building the site in the first place.

Form & Function

Sullivan’s ‘form follows function’ might lead many designers to believe that form fundamentally outweighs function in importance. While it could be debated that function inherently relies on form, the same argument can be made that form requires function to essentially be successful. With no purpose there can be no design; with no design there could not be a purpose. And a lack of one or both tends to leave a design feeling unfinished or not useful.

I believe both function and form have two clearly defined and important roles in the overall production of any visual digital design. Yet these roles are by no means mutually exclusive but rather share an interdependent relationship, where both support each other as a means to an end. That end being the overall user ability of your site.

It is the balance of both concepts that truly brings a visual digital design to life. For example, if an extremely over-zealous designer focuses all their energy and time solely on designing an extremely aesthetically pleasing site and not give much credence to the functionality of said design, there are going to be a few problems. With the lack of function users are not going to truly understand how to access the information properly.

It is the carefully crafted balance of form and function that brings the intended purpose and design of a project to fulfillment. Which is more important is up the designer and to their audience. But the user experience can only be exceptional if that scale meets somewhere in the middle.

form_function_discussion-r.adriel

The argument of form over function, or vice versa, in terms of design misses the point, in my opinion. The role of form and function have more to do with the contexts in which they are appropriated, and more so are they subject to the propensity of language to address functional forces in environment, biology and psychology.

Function is potential, and function is always already. Language is our structure of the world, and from language we get appropriations of function in culture, religion and history—indeed these are forms. So to ask what precedes what is moot since for millennia human beings have been in a processes of leveling and converging functions and forms. Web design, in my opinion, does not challenge the dialectic of function and form, but is yet another appropriation and synthesis of the two and more importantly appeals to higher forms like culture and context.

To say, well this means function precedes form, is to consider ideals, and this is more of a philosophical question, since in the practice of design, and indeed our advance in time as a species, relies on both, and the distinction that forms are manifest objectifications of function as they are understood in the frames of reference and contexts of the designer—and these in turn rely on historical forms, and on and on back to Plato, or even before when the first human hand picked a rock and made the distinction between himself and the rock.

The most important thing, I think we can all agree, is that though function is a relationship of input and output, there is not necessarily only one input, and output consequently. In other words, as web designers it is important to keep an open mind when it comes to ways to capture and facilitate function, if we think of function as a force to which we must give form, the form is up to us—as is the discovery of functions.

There is also cultures of re-appropriation, like Steampunk wherein the natives create new functions out of old forms.

Heather Kick- "Form Follows Function" Debate Continues...

Form follows function is logical and simple...and right.

As one of my classmates stated already, "you need a purpose for design to even exist." With function you have a direction, you have purpose, you have objectives, motivations, and an angle. All of this, while targeting the functionality of design,  can also provide direction for form. If you need to design a website for fine wine, why not have the navigation tiered like a wine rack? This is an example of how function (website for fine wine) directs form (the wine rack navigation).


Can form direct function? Not likely. If you start with the idea that you want a red background and text in a white cursive script, well that's great. What will the text be about? What is this for? It'd be very difficult to draw function from form.

However, given my examples above, as form must follow function, function and form cannot exist without each other. And I'll quote from my first assignment here: " I don’t believe anyone is arguing whether form can exist without function or vice versa. For the record, it can’t. Even if no thought is given to make a site visually stimulating, the site ultimate will come out with a look. Cragislist.org is a perfect example. There is limited effort given to the way information or searches are portrayed. But even in a functionally driven site, a look is formed. And that look has become part of craigslist’s identity. Therefore, Craigslist.org has form. Likewise, a site does not exist without function. Even if the function is to offer a canvas of creativity, then that in itself is the function. "

Form vs. Function; an American consumer's view

As Americans, we are taught that first impressions are important. As consumers, we are convinced that the latest (and shiniest) version of something is the one we must have. More often than not, these ideas are true in the case of digital design. With that said, though many believe that form and function are equally important, I have to disagree.

I believe that form, or aesthetic design, is more important to the majority of the American population than function, or purpose. If something is not visually pleasing, it is much less likely that it will be recognized. In a world that is constantly bombarded by advertisements and marketing, only the most appealing will prevail. In order to be the most appealing, form must out do function.

Function is necessary for the creation of any item and I do not think that you can create something without the function in mind but form breaks through the noise and creates unique identities between multiple items with common functionality. The only differentiation between these items with similar function is form. Form is the ultimate determining factor in most purchases.

In summation, form and function cannot be equally important in a world that believes so strongly in first impressions and the effects of advertising.

Form Follows Function - Is This Correct?

Form follows function. These three words produce a powerful paradigm for any artist. The theory is that the general design or interface of an object must be supported by the objectives of the overall function that the object is set to define and execute to the fullest extent. I do believe that form does follow function. There must be a purpose for the form to even exist, and that is when function plays its role.

The designer must have their form be driven by not only the function it is intended for, but also drive itself in a rich and engaging experience for the user. The end user is ultimately going to want to accomplish a task and have their expectations met. The overall design and flow of the form should not be independent to itself. The form must be able to show a purpose for why the function even exists to begin with. There has to be a balance between form and function.

Overall, this is why I am a firm believer of form following function. You need a purpose for design to even exist. Why are you designing a form the way you are? What is motivating you? What do you want the form to ultimately prove? Show the reason and usefulness behind it all. You aren't going to sacrifice great design in favor of function. Knowing how to adapt function with design, and to go beyond, is what matters.

Form vs. Function who’s more important?

Function appears slightly more important it is the purpose. Understanding the function sets the base for the form. Without the guidelines of the function the form could never achieve its best. Form has the beauty and the eye-catching appeal that will gain attention but without function doesn’t exist.

When Gary Dickson mentioned passion in his article I thought isn’t that a function? An artist may say they create their art because they are passionate about it. Can someone’s passion for art be his or her purpose for creating art? With their balance of passion/function and art/form they produce magnificent pieces.

In the end both form and function are equally important. Initially function appears to be the base of the project nonetheless form display the primary purpose. When both are equally portrayed an exceptional piece whether it be print or web is produced.

what is more important: form or function..Joselia Padilla

After reading about the phrase “form follows function” by Louis Sullivan, I feel that both form and function is needed to construct a successful project. Yet, I feel that function carries a little more weight then form, simply because with out function a form cant be created.

Would you design a big oddly shape rock and place it on display without it having a purpose? Do we do anything in our daily lives without a purpose? Even if we had in mind a design we will still have to give it a purpose. Knowing the function of a potential project helps us think of ways to create a form that can carry out its function accurately.

However, I also feel that a great designer can create anything (form/shape/method) and later insert the concept of the function into the design. Although this may be considered working backwards, according to Sullivan’s principles that form should always follow function. It may be more chaotic this way, but the choice will ultimately be in the hands of the designer. There is no wrong or right answer. You can start a project with a blueprint in mind or by what you would want it to do.

In the end, the project would be crafted by what the designers’ principle are and if s/he were smart s/he would balance the two elements of Form and Function.

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