Custom essays: Design Reform

The development of design stimulated the emergence of new trends and styles. In this regard, the detailed analysis of the development of design by Ruskin, in his “Seven Lamps of Architecture”, and Morris, in his “News from Nowhere” suggest original views on the development of design. In spite of the fact that their views are quite different, they still contribute to the better understanding of design.
First of all, Ruskin focuses his attention on the analysis of the development of design behind the Gothic revival. In fact, the author does not really bring in new ideas concerning the development of design and the Gothic revival itself but he has managed to provide a systematic view on the development of design behind the Gothic revival. He distinguishes seven key elements of the design: sacrifice, truth, power, beauty, life, memory, obedience. In such a way, he considers these elements crucial for design. At the same time, he apparently develops aesthetic view on design mainly.
In this regard, Morris has quite a different view on design because it is not aesthetic-oriented but it is rather practice-oriented. Even though Morris develops a utopian view on design for he insists that instead of large cities people should live in small settlements in their homes, he idealizes the role of community and practically deprives people of the possibility to have the private property. In such a way, his view on design is influenced by socialist ideas, which imply that people should live in small communities and design should be meet public needs. Obviously, such a view is idealistic and fails to meet egoistic needs and wants of people.
Thus, both Morris and Ruskin have developed different but original views on design, which help to understand different trends in design and their background.

Works Cited
Morris, W. News from Nowhere. London: Routledge, 2006.
Ruskin, J. The Seven Lamps of Architecture. London: Dover Publications, 1989.