I want to try to come away from that one directional…
“I want to try to come away from that one directional, clear rectangular form. It's not used because it's the most beautiful form; it's just the practical thing. That's why our TVs are rectangles. Even in modern architecture, they want us to believe, "That's the nicest, most beautiful thing." I love modern architecture, but actually it's that they cannot afford amorphous shapes or ornaments.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote critiques how functional constraints dictate design, making rectangular TVs and architecture the norm despite aesthetic possibilities.
In simple terms: Practical needs shape design more than beauty.
Recognize constraints and explore creative alternatives.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- product design
- architectural planning
- consumer electronics
- artistic experimentation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can designers balance beauty and practicality?
- What alternatives exist for affordable, non‑rectangular forms?
Aesthetic ideals may be compromised by cost and manufacturing limits.