Harmony in Design: A Synthesis of Literature from Classical Philosophy, the Sciences, Economics, and Design

Lomas, J.D.; Xue, H.

doi:10.1016/j.sheji.2022.01.001

Harmony in Design

Title

Harmony in Design: A Synthesis of Literature from Classical Philosophy, the Sciences, Economics, and Design

Author

Lomas, J.D. (TU Delft Design Aesthetics)
Xue, H. (TU Delft Design Aesthetics)

Date

2022

Abstract

Classical theories of harmony have been used to explain phenomena like beauty, happiness, health, virtue, pleasure, peace, and even ecological sustainability. With the intent of making these theories more accessible to designers, this article reviews the conception of harmony from about 500 BCE to the present. It begins with a brief overview of harmony in classical Chinese and Greek philosophy. Then it examines the role of harmony in the renaissance, the scientific revolution, and the early modern period across topics in aesthetics, ethics, physics, politics, and economics. Finally, turning to the 20th century, this article highlights the conceptual function of harmony in psychology, neuroscience, computer science, and design. This synthesis concludes with a review of applications and implications for contemporary designers. An essential conclusion of this article is that harmony involves the integration of diversity into a greater whole; harmony is not pure agreement or “sameness.” Overall, we suggest that classical principles of harmony might serve as a theoretical framework to help designers develop a more sustainable and vibrant vision of the future.

Subject

AI for well-being
Design aesthetics
Design for values
Design philosophy
Future studies
Sustainability

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:58e2b350-43bb-49a2-9be2-06a301336b6f

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sheji.2022.01.001

ISSN

2405-8726

Source

She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation, 8 (1), 5-64

Part of collection

Institutional Repository