110 T h e B a s i c T h e or i e s o f D e sign Composition

Figure 4.4 Streamlining was an applied design for

the bodies of early automobiles to give them the
appearance of speed and sleekness.
CC-BY-SA-3.0/Softeis

Geometric Design
Geometric design is related to straight lines, circles, squares, triangles, rectangles, cubes, spheres, and other math-
ematically precise shapes. The Greeks often are credited with perfecting the geometric approach to design in both
their architecture and their ornamental motifs (Figure 2.13). Geometric forms were also characteristic of the early
periods of contemporary architecture and design. In the de Stijl movement (1917–1930), several Dutch artists re-
stricted design to the basic elements, primary colors, and arrangements of lines and two-dimensional geometric
shapes on a flat surface. Gerrit Rietveld, a furniture designer and architect, translated these principles into three-
dimensional forms, as seen in his Red-Blue Chair (Figure 3.16) in 1917. Geometric design can be found in wall
coverings, floor coverings, furniture, and upholstery fabrics (Figure 4.7).

Figure 4.5 An example of naturalistic design can be found in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, a private residence
designed to be a nature retreat for its owners. The house is well known for its connection to the natural site. The fireplace
hearth in the living room integrates boulders found on the premises.
CC-BY-SA-3.0/Figuura