Foundation Degree 3D Architectural Interior Design
Semester1
Module Design in Context
Jinghong Chen (Rebecca)
Traditional Chinese Pattern and Interiors Design
Nowadays, for more and more people it is hard to resist the temptation of Chinese-style interior design, this is where the full charm of oriental vintage blends and sometimes collides with modern aesthetic. The application of traditional Chinese patterns in modern interior design is part of people's spiritual needs. To use traditional patterns in which you want to reflect national Chinese characteristics appropriately and to show better individuality, we should understand the connotation and characteristics of traditional patterns deeply . So in this written piece, I will investigate the possibility that traditional Chinese pattern influence interiors design well wild. I will look in detail at the symbolic history of Chinese style and how it has influence interiors in the west world.
The Symbolic Meaning Of Traditional Chinese Patterns
Traditional Chinese culture is thousands of years of Chinese civilization, it is extensive and profound. As an important part of traditional Chinese culture, pattern has always been a deep influence in the whole development of Chinese history, and the development of the social economic, political and cultural changes. Chinese traditional pattern has appeared in our life with a long history and rich content. In the specific period of time pattern with a strong atmosphere of unique artistic style, it reflects the life of the values and people's customs and habits, that is the art of solidification, and the wisdom of the Chinese nation. It is also an important element in the decorative arts, it changes and abstraction according to a certain pattern structure and in other methods, rules and stereotyped patterns. There is a Chinese saying, "Each pattern must have a meaning, and this has to have something to do with luck and harmony."
1.1 The classification of traditional pattern
① Animal Patterns: such as magpie, mandarin duck, turtles, the ancients gave auspicious implies and the philosophical concept. For example the phoenix is the symbol of good luck, plentiful blessings as well as universal peace and harmony.
② Plant Patterns: such as the narcissus; the four noble plants (plum blossom; orchids; bamboo; and chrysanthemum) and also pomegranate are endowed with a variety of quality and moral integrity. For example the lotus image is the first plant decorative pattern in the history of Chinese decoration and is also the most active one in the history of Chinese ornaments.
③ The implements ingrained in appearance and these show auspicious clouds wares and these objects are connected with Taoism, Buddhism and others such as Tai Chi Pattern has shows Chinese people's emotion and beautiful taste, it has unique, deep and charming national culture and visual communication. It uses figure, color and space in relationship to expressing where is the modern Chinese design comes from and gives Chinese graphic design notion and expression.
④ Geometric Patterns, such as fangsheng lines and grain dominated by geometric linear decoration pattern.
⑤ Character Patterns, such as door god patterns and the goddess chang's fly to the moon .
⑥ Lucky symbol characters As lucky symbols, "寿" stands for longevity, "喜" for happiness and "福" for blessing.
1.2 The characteristics are as follows
2.1 A long history of precipitation. As early as the Shang dynasty designs began from lucky symbol. On the bronzes of the Shang dynasty discovered in Zhengzhou, often decorated with first and last phase of fish pattern reflects people have been giving fish to "good luck" meaning.
2.2 Diversity. Neolithic is painted pottery, Shang of fish sheath; Han dynasty is portrait stone and portrait brick and four leaves patterns, and in Tang dynasty is the flower-and-bird.
2.3 Notice Aesthetic.Whether the wineglass, sacrificial utensils, clothing decoration or interior decoration, which patterns are played a strong role in modified with beautification.
2.4 Styles Different. The style of the neolithic period of style solemn and serene, and natural harmonious; Shang and Zhou period the patterns looks powerful and mystery ; Spring and Autumn period to Qin Han period the style light and lively, male strong barbaric and so on.
The Relationship between interior design and traditional patterns
With the development of the economy, people require higher demands on the living environment. Remains of
the forbidden city, Summer Palace, many southern residential areas showcase of traditional Chinese
patterns.
Chinese Style is practical and easy to use as a resource for designers, artists, and crafts man interested in
Chinese design.Realistic architectural interior design in various shapes, decorations, furnishings, it embodies
the pursuit of happiness of people desire a better life. Often these different styles of modern interior design
reflects a nation's cultural heritage. Therefore, traditional cultures often have a distinctive and special design
features.
(Summer Palace)
3.1The interior design reflects traditional Chinese culture.No matter what style of design, it is expanded and completed in a certain cultural context, reflect different values and aesthetic ideas.Design forms from culture, in accordance with a wealth of experience (history and tradition) impressions about everything that exists.
3.2 Integration of traditional culture and contemporary. Development of computer applications and internet applying new conception in order to make it have the modernity.
How to apply traditional Chinese patterns in interior design
4.1 New localism. Traditional design combined with modern decoration materials, modeling techniques, not only can enhance the appearance of traditional patterns, and also can make the interior design has a strong sense of the times. New materials such as metals, ceramics, textile and stone more and more different materials can provide different aesthetic experience, use the appropriate combination of materials and traditional patterns, can enrich the decoration, reflecting the era trends.
4.2 Cultural integration. Fusion design based on different cultural backgrounds will evoke passion of creation, reference, choice and adaptation will create more patterns. Inheriting our traditional culture and absorbing the foreign design giving it a new characteristics.
There are two methods:
① Seek common points while reserving difference. Looking for a different cultural background with common characteristics of two or more patterns, applied in modern interior design.
② Integration of traditional patterns. This is means fusion and forming two or more traditional patterns with a modern aesthetic patterns and used in the modern interior design. Such as designed in western style but decorative by Chinese style about traditional patterns.
It is also evident from the Royal Stafford pattern books that other ‘Oriental’ themes, including the chinoiserie designs, the ‘Willow Pattern’ and the Chinese Dragon motifs were absorbed and adapted by the Art Deco style, for example, the traditional cobalt-blue Willow Pattern.
To conclude I believe that Traditional Chinese patterns and Traditional Western Patterns can work harmoniously within the design world and will be forever evolving as living tastes change.
Bibliography: Nakamura, S (2005) Pattern Sourcebook : Chinese Style , USA, Rockport.
