FROM WHERE I SIT

Evolution vs. Innovation

Recently we had the pleasure of visiting Lucia Eames and her daughter Llisa Demetrios, the daughter and granddaughter respectively and respectfully of Charles Eames. In addition to their endless charm and amazing knowledge of design present, past and future, both left our group with several ideas to mull over regarding just what it is we do do in our industry. Not the least of which was the concept that good design does not have to be ‘innovative’ but it should evolve naturally from what has come before and from what exists. This was a strong part of Charles and Rae Eames’ design ethic. Whether inspired by nature, folk art, the mechanics of industrial design, or the real need to address something that all of us deal with everyday, one can see this concept in the Eames legacy. Long before the word ‘ergonomics’ was ever coined, the Eames knew dead-on how to make a chair that worked because they let it evolve naturally from what happens when the human body bends from the waist, bends from the knees and simply sits.

As some of us head to Neocon, where the word ‘innovative’ is as ubiquitous as the free wine and cheese, might not this be the time to look at new product and question just what was the evolution, if any, of what we are seeing. Did it evolve from what came before and from how we really function today? Or is it a less than useful expression of some designer straining to be ‘innovative’? Is form following function or is form following ego?