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The table and seat that I am using when writing this article must have been designed by somebody. Those designs is easy, simple and crude, and it is hardly to be called as works of art. However this humble table and seat serve their purpose is well enough. Looking around me at room, house, around the town and matter of fact, I come to realize that almost all have their own  certain design, especially man-made things.

The Old Building

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My ex-school was built long before I was born and the designer must has a different views about how a building should be like.  These walls are a foot thick, the pillars enormous, the elaborate curves and angles on the building are so markedly different from recently built buildings. By contrast the school’s new science block was looks so fragile and bare. The modern school buildings are designed to be functional only. There are no fancy artworks or Greek-styled pillars, only the barest minimum prevails. The old building always has a certain design of its own. The new cheaply made science block seems so cold and lifeless.

The Modern Buildings

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Moderation and simplicity seems to be the trend for modern buildings, as compared to the elaborate designs of yesteryear. The old Kuala Lumpur railway station stands out distinctly among the ultra-modern high-rise buildings surrounding it. Although dwarfed by these skyscrapers, the railway station still maintain its beauty and antique identity. It is always pleasant to look at its various structures and designs and wonder why we do not make such buildings anymore. Maybe it is too expensive or maybe it is because it have become unfashionable to do so.

The Clothes – Famous Designers

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The clothes that we wearing are also the result of the efforts of clothes designers. While most of us shall go around in easy and simple clothes, there are others who would spend a profit on designer-clothes, namely, clothes specially designed by certain famous designers. This clothes does not come cheap. However, for the price paid, the wearer gets to “stand out” from the crowd. I, for one, cannot distinguish between a ten dollars shirt and a hundred dollars one, unless of course I see the labels. Still I should accept that a few the gains sported by some brave persons that look very nice indeed, on the other hand some of them look absolutely outrageous. I am no hero, so I stick to more conservatively designed clothes.

The Books and Magazines

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Book and magazine covers are designed with a matter in mind, namely, to catch the eye of the reader. So nowadays, we see most books and magazines with glossy and luminous artwork on their covers. The covers make extensive application of colors so as to be as attractive as possible. A few of these covers are indeed beautifully designed. The artists must be congratulated for their good work. The same could not be said for the contents of some of the books though.

The Design – An Important Role

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Image via Wikipedia

In field industry of other human, design again played a pivotal role. Cars are designed to look beautiful as well as functional. Cities are designed for better living and convenience. Roads are designed for faster and safer traveling. Shoe designed for durability, resilience and comfort. Development projects are designed for progress, etc.

The Nature’s Perfection

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All these man-made things are designed for specific functions. How many these things can be considered “art” depend solely on the beholder. Apart from painting and other specially created art-objects, most man-made things are not meant to be art. They are intended only to serve a goal.

If we want to look at works of art in daily life then we will need to fall back on good old mother nature. Golden sunsets and clear blue skies can never be created by any man. Deep red roses, fluttering butterflies, chirp birds and rolling thunder never fail to impress me. Nature’s perfection and malformations, regularity, and spontaneity are really works of art. They happened daily for us to behold. All we have to do is look.