Designers past and present

Studying great designers shows how good ideas solve problems, and helps you find your own style.

Practise this lesson free (6 questions)

Designers and their work

Some designers whose work is still studied today:
DesignerKnown for
William Morris (1834 to 1896)Nature-inspired wallpapers and textiles; a leader of the Arts and Crafts movement
Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 to 1928)Scottish architect and designer: Glasgow School of Art, tall high-backed chairs
Harry BeckThe London Underground map (1933): a simple diagram, not a true-to-scale map
Margaret CalvertWith Jock Kinneir, designed the UK's road signs and the Transport lettering
Alec IssigonisThe Mini car (1959): small outside, roomy inside
James DysonThe bagless, cyclonic vacuum cleaner
Jony IveBritish designer who led design at Apple: the iMac, iPod and iPhone
Zaha HadidFlowing, curved buildings, such as the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympics

Design movements

Designers often work in a shared style called a movement:
Arts and Crafts (late 1800s): handmade quality, natural forms, a reaction against cheap factory goods.
Art Nouveau (about 1890 to 1910): flowing, curving lines inspired by plants.
Bauhaus (a German design school, founded in 1919): simple, functional designs for mass production.
Art Deco (1920s and 1930s): bold geometric shapes and luxurious materials.
The phrase 'form follows function' means the shape of a product should come from what it has to do.

Learning from designers

When you study a designer, ask:
What problem did they solve, and for whom?
What materials and processes did they use?
What makes their work recognisable?
How could you use their ideas in your own work, without copying?
Worked example

How does Harry Beck's London Underground map show 'form follows function'?

  1. The function is to help passengers plan a journey.
  2. Beck used straight lines at set angles and evenly spaced stations, rather than true distances.
  3. The form (simple diagram) comes from the function (easy to read and follow).

Answer: Its simple diagram shape comes from its job: helping passengers see routes and changes easily.

Key idea

Study designers to learn how they solved problems: for example Morris (Arts and Crafts), Mackintosh, Beck (Tube map), Calvert (road signs), Issigonis (Mini), Dyson and Ive. 'Form follows function': shape comes from purpose.

Quick check

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Extra practice

2 more questions

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  1. Why was Harry Beck's Tube map easy to use?

    1. It showed every street
    2. It used straight lines and even spacing rather than real distances
    3. It was drawn to exact scale
    4. It had no colours
    Show the answer

    Answer: It used straight lines and even spacing rather than real distances

    A clear diagram is easier to read.

  2. Which typeface did Kinneir and Calvert design for UK road signs?

    1. Comic Sans
    2. Transport
    3. Times New Roman
    4. Arial
    Show the answer

    Answer: Transport

    Transport is used on UK road signs.

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Practise this lesson free (6 questions)All KS3 Design and Technology lessons

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Sources and references

Last updated 2 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.

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