WILLIAM MORRIS DESIGNS

William Morris Designs

Textile Designs of William Morris

In this paper, we will consider the nature of the textile designs of William Morris and account for their long lasting success. Moreover, we will locate these products in an evaluation of nostalgia in design. This essay would start with a brief introduction of William Morris and would further proceed to the analysis of his designs and the nostalgia in it. In this paper we would lay particular emphasis on the textile design of William Morris which were the masterpiece design of their time, as well as today. The designs of William Morris had no parrell at that time.(Greenhalgh 1996, pp. 115-127)

William Morris was an English craftsman, designer, printer, poet, writer, political activist English designer. He prompted the formation of the Arts & Crafts movement and worked as a Painter at Pre-Raphaelites and neo-romantic School. He was concerned to preserve medieval arts and crafts hating mass production. His ideology was heavily influenced by John Ruskin. William Morris contributed to the development of Nouveau Art. (Dutton 2003, pp.258-274)

Its principles were strongly influenced by the Bauhaus. He began studying in 1848 at Marlborough College and then at Exeter College, Oxford where he studied architecture, art and religion. From 1856 he worked as an apprentice architect for a short period in the firm and in the following years, he converted into a professional artist (1857 to 1862). At this time, he met the critic John Ruskin, would had a major influence on his life and he also met his future wife, Jane Burden (working-class, red hair and pale skin). (Dutton 1983, pp.45)

He said that art should meet the needs of society and that there should be distinction between fine art and utilitarian crafts. He agreed with the rationalization of the design. He also defended principles as the most avant-garde art and architecture should respond to the needs and influences of the modern industrial world and that good design should be aesthetically pleasant and technically satisfactory. Therefore, in addition to classes in sculpture, painting and architecture, he taught craft classes, typography, and industrial and commercial design. Morris died at Kelmscott house on October 3, 1896. His design and ideas are an invaluable legacy in the history of the development of graphic design, and industrial art. (Morris 1995, pp.56)

To understand his work, it is important first to get to know the author. William Morris was interested in architectural sculpture, stained to match the interior design, furniture general work of various kinds, on all materials (wood, embossed leather, ornamental works, metal working and jewelry) tapestries of Arras and high warp, carpet art, embroidery, painted tiles, fabrics and upholstery, curtain, wallpaper and printed cottons (chintz). The case, which inspires sarcasm professional competitors, had a difficult start, but with the bustle of Morris, as to the quality, strength and beauty of his artwork, his name and artwork flourished. He used the profit gained to fund generously the same socialist movement emerging. (Dunlap 1975, ...