The Genius of Design

The relationship between form/function, artistic ambition, and practicality is at the heart of this slick, thought-provoking five-part BBC documentary series, which looks at how the production of goods transformed Western society over the past three centuries, accompanied by widespread changes in the attitudes of both designers and consumers. The first episode recounts the development of early mass production methods, including Henry Ford's famed assembly line, which eventually led to a tension between cost-efficient uniformity and the increasing desire for variety. The second segment turns to the early 20th century, observing the modernist movement's impact on both architecture and furniture, with special emphasis on the Bauhaus school. The third program focuses on the effect of wartime needs on mid-century design, drawing a link between weapons innovation and products used in ordinary life. The final two episodes look at the influence of plastics in the postwar period, and the emotional pull of products in the affluent, consumer-driven era before the recent worldwide economic collapse. Tapping into the expertise of historians, critics, and contemporary designers, The Genius of Design presents intriguing tidbits about everything from early cooking pots and textile designs to the equipoise lamp, the transistor radio, the Walkman, the VW Beetle, the RV, and Tupperware (as well as various types of guns, airplanes, and tanks), while also heralding the accomplishments of little-known innovators. DVD extras include a 12-page viewer's guide. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)