Authentic

Authentic is used to express a design concept rather than a design word. Its essential meaning is "the real thing." It is often used to describe something that has been confirmed to the degree that there is no dissent. It would be necessary to define authentic or authenticity in design. Generally&sbquo it means that the product isn't fake; that the materials are authentic and the author is the person we think it is. If we use a logical term here&sbquo in the final analysis we would end up with a double negative. The definition we get is something that is not a fake. That is&sbquo when the element fake&sbquo which is a single negative&sbquo is added to the sentence&sbquo we are negating the negation a second time. This amounts to negating the negation. Conversely&sbquo something that's not authentic becomes something that's a fake. Authenticity in design is a matter of how inform the design object with authenticity. In regards to the thing being designed&sbquo it means appealing to the concept or theme of making an "authentic feeling" as part of that design's value. Accordingly&sbquo if we clearly specify a brand&sbquo then it's products will be the real thing&sbquo but furthermore&sbquo the concept of "authentic" will depend on whether the materials&sbquo functions&sbquo and designer's philosophy&sbquo when they take concrete form&sbquo will give the user a convincing sense that he owns and is using the real thing. Ultimately&sbquo it's a word that we must be aware of as a concept when reexamining what "authentic intent" means&sbquo not only in the case of singly produced products but also for mass-produced products. Whether or not designed objects are manufactured goods---which are multiple copies---authentic is a word that designers must rethink as one that gives mature consideration to the human illusion or desire for "authentic feeling."

Copyright © 2009 Kazuo KAWASAKI All rights reserved.