Industrial Style design for makers

Today’s makers need to be inspired.

Detroit Institute of Arts, Diego Rivera Murals

Connections to the roots of making things...

Detroit Institute of Arts, Diego Rivera Murals

....can be inspirational and therapeutic.

Sugar Beach, Toronto

The revival and re-interpretation of

industrial aesthetics honors tangible,

hands-on work.

Detroit Institute of Arts, Diego Rivera Murals

What are some industrial elements that add

interest, meaning and humanity

to maker spaces today?

Detroit Design Center

Man in the City Sculpture Project, Detroit

artist: John Sauve

Here are 11 industrial elements to look for...

Detroit Institute of Arts, Diego Rivera Murals

...that respect our maker roots.

Elements of

Industrial Style

1. Texture

2. Simplicity

3. Layers

4. Story

5. Honesty

6. Imperfection

7. Strength

8. Economy

9. Rhythm

10. Variety

11. Color

These elements highlight the

organic aspects of our industrial past.

Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, Dearborn, MI

texture

simplicity

layers

story

honesty

imperfection

strength

economy

rhythm

variety

color

1. TEXTURE adds depth and animation

40 Bond St. New York

element

40 Bond St. New York

TEXTURE: the opposite of slick, aloof and antiseptic

Traffic Jam Restaurant, Detroit

University of British Columbia,

Vancouver

TEXTURE: evidence of the human hand

Harbourfront Toronto

2. SIMPLICITY has a calming effect element

Harbourfront Toronto

SIMPLICITY: direct and confident design

SIMPLICITY: permits flexible use

Granville Island, Vancouver

SIMPLICITY: easy to comprehend

ArtScape Wychwood Barns, Toronto

“Endover” Tony Rosenthal in Ann Arbor “Orion” Mark di Suvero in Ann Arbor

SIMPLICITY: industrial art

3. LAYERS: a sense of ongoing evolution element

LAYERS invite us to explore beyond the surface.

Granville Island, Vancouver

4. STORY: draws us into further investigation element

Detroit

STORY: helps us understand our place in the world

Avalon Bakery, Goodwells Market, Midtown Detroit

STORY: being part of an evolving journey

Corktown, Detroit

STORY: public art celebrates makers

Spadina & Richmond, Toronto Granville Island, Vancouver

Queen St. West, Toronto

Lafayette Greens, Detroit

artist: Tim Burke

STORY: rust comes to life

Wards Island, Toronto

Granville Island, Vancouver

STORY: wood comes to life

5. HONESTY: an antidote to excess luxury element

41 Bond St New York

Oakville Centennial Building Gate, artist: Ron Baird

Townhouse, East 51st St., New York

architect: Gluck+

401 Richmond St West, Toronto

6. IMPERFECTION adds character element

460 W. Canfield St. Detroit

460 W. Canfield St. Detroit

460 W. Canfield St. Detroit

IMPERFECTION: invites human interaction

101 Portland St, Toronto

ponyride, Detroit

IMPERFECTION: says “we are humans, not machines”

7. STRENGTH: an enduring quest for reinvention element

STRENGTH: a robust setting for individual expression

Capital Park, Detroit

Industrial STRENGTH

401 Richmond St West, Toronto

“Stiff Box No.12” Lucas Samaras, Ann Arbor

“Young Woman and Her Suitors” Alexander Calder,

Detroit Institute of Arts

STRENGTH: industrial art

8. ECONOMY: doing more with less element

Scadding Court Community Centre, Toronto

ECONOMY: ingenious use of materials

Lafayette Greens, Detroit

Industrial ECONOMICS

Lafayette Greens, Detroit

ECONOMY: cheap and cheerful on gloomy days

Granville Island, Vancouver

Industrial ECONOMICS

Woodlot, Palmerston Ave. Toronto

Granville Island, Vancouver

9. RHYTHM: order without rigidity element

Industrial RHYTHM and pattern

Brickworks, Toronto

Industrial RHYTHM and order

Industrial RHYTHM and pattern

Granville Island, Vancouver

Toronto Harbour

10. VARIETY: contrast and identity element

view from High Line park, New York

VARIETY: visual interest

VARIETY: making a memorable statement

University of British Columbia,

Vancouver

The Scarab Club, Detroit

11. COLOR: adds energy element

Queen St. West, Toronto

Industrial COLOR

Ontario Collage of Art

and Design University,

Toronto

Ontario Collage of Art and Design University,

Toronto

Granville Island, Vancouver

Industrial COLOR

Granville Island, Vancouver

1650 West 1st Ave. Vancouver

Industrial COLOR

Industrial COLOR

North Vancouver

Industrial COLOR

Industrial Color: today’s makers at Maker Faire Detroit

Robot Petting Zoo - Detroit Public Library

“Robot Petting Zoo” - Detroit Public Library

Un-boring new makers (at Maker Faire + TEDx Detroit)

artists app developers

architects bakers

cabinetmakers designers

engineers teachers

movie makers

jewellery makers scientists

photographers librarians

songwriters weavers

artists woodworkers

robotics specialists

urban planners

video editors animators

musical instrument makers

web developers

digital fabricators

today’s makers

Granville Island, Vancouver Harbourfront Centre, Toronto

photography & text: Sharon VanderKaay