Today's wisdom has it that people should no longer expect to follow the same career for life and should be prepared to change, but is this such a new idea? Over a hundred years ago, Christopher Dresser changed careers. He began his working life as a lecturer in botany and ended it as an industrial designer.
He has been dead now, for nearly a century, yet his design principles and philosophy are relevant today, so relevant that one of the leading design studios in the world, L'atelier Alessi, recently included some of his work in an exhibition showcasing its current glass and metalware.
A subsequent survey of what has been published about Dresser on the Internet showed me that work produced while he was alive is appearing in auction catalogues but there is little information available about the man or his ideas. Considering that he has been called THE FIRST industrial designer, it seems appropriate that the work of such a significant figure in the history of design should be made readily accessible using Web technology.
My document contains separate pages for ceramics, glass, carpets and textiles, furniture, metalware and wallpaper, all illustrated with examples of his work. There is a section on the man himself and one on his writings. I have provided links to relevant Web sites and a bibliography for those who are interested in finding out more.
I would be delighted to discuss this project in detail, particularly with teachers interested in using it as a basis for an educational kit.
I can be contacted:
by mail to 37 Langdon Avenue WANNIASSA ACT 2903
by telephone on 06 231 0994
by email to t9352952@student.anu.edu.au
IRENE TURPIE
