Bauhaus Design Movement

Design Movements -

Bauhaus -

The Bauhaus design movement founded by  Walter Gropius concentrated on removing the distinction from form and function. Much of the products and art produced from the Bauhaus design school in Germany clearly demonstrate this. Gropius’ background originated from architecture, despite this the design school didn’t have a architecture department for some time. However this doesn’t mean that the movement didn’t have a huge impact on architecture across the world.

Examples of Bauhaus design can be seen in major cities worldwide; Here’s an example from Tel Aviv - Also know as ‘The White City’

Retrieved 2012 - (http://www.telaviv4fun.com/bauhaus.html)

Not only did the design movement heavily influence architecture however it also had a huge impact on product design too. Examples of this can be seen everywhere from furniture to modern appliances.

One of the most recognisable pieces of Bauhaus design is the Wassily Chair;

Retrieved 2012 - ( http://www.designclassics.co.uk/wassily-armchair.html)

It has become very much an Iconic piece of what Bauhaus design represents. The synergy between form and function can easily be seen with the metal tubes making up all of the chairs structure and much of it’s striking appearance.

However I feel the most Iconic piece of design that takes on much of the Bauhaus principles, is something many of us have in our pockets. The iPhone.

Retrieved 2012 - http://www.venlodigital.com/wp/iphone-4-long-term-test-and-thoughts/

The iPhone is a great example of a product that has broke down the line between form and function. You find yourself having a very hard time trying to decide which the designers took the most consideration towards. It’s one of the easiest modern devices to use yet it still looks so striking and appeals too millions worldwide.


Much of this can be applied to games design. It helps to inform you that aesthetics, graphics and audio don’t just have to be there ‘unnecessarily’ to make the game appealing. It helps to remind us that they can be used as mechanics too.

On a more fundamental level however, taking inspiration from Bauhaus principles will help to create something that has a true synergy that will come across to the player. If as designers we consider form and function from of our games the start of the design process, it can result in something amazing. This doesn’t have to be rigid, however if we give everything a purpose in our games I believe it can create a more immersive and pleasant experience for the players.