I was inspired today to write my own journal entry and thought it might be a good idea to show you guys what I am looking for (for those of you who have not already turned in and received my comments on your journal entries).
So, here it goes:
While in the bathroom today, my eye was drawn to the floor drain. Normally I would not have even noticed it; and, in fact, I have never noticed it until now. I think the reason it caught my eye today was because I had lines on the brain. Immediately I was drawn to the use of lines. Now, I know that these lines probably had everything to do with functionality and nothing to do with aesthetics. The open, concentric lines allow the water to drain in the event of a flooded toilette (ew) or a running sink. The radiating lines which cut through the concentric lines provide anchor points for the concentric circles. Without the former, the drain would have just become a large hole with a metal ring in the bathroom floor and scraps of solid, unattached rings left on the floor of the workshop. Now, with that being said, perhaps there is a degree of aesthetic consideration here. For, the designer of the drain cover (and yes, someone had to design this) could have easily gone with a grid pattern, like this one:
or even more decorative like this one:
But no, the designer went with concentric circles connected by radiating straight lines. Now, I find this particularly appropriate even if the designer did not realize it. I find the use of the concentric lines recall the concentric ripples which are created with something gets dropped into water. The radiating straight lines reinforce the direction of the water flow, coming in from all areas but coming together at the center of the drain. On a purely aesthetic, not symbolic or iconic, level, it is quite beautiful in the symmetry and order of the drain, the perfectly spaced out rings, the screws positioned in every fourth radiating line. There is a calmness in the order but at the same time a balancing energy about the design created by the curved lines of the concentric rings.
I think I have spent too much time looking at and thinking about this drain, perhaps more time than the designer did...
Most people usually do not consider who designed the screen for the drain in their shower unless you own a house and you are in the process of remodeling your bathroom. The person who made that piece of hard ware probably got that job because they really needed it to earn money to survive. Most kids if asked what do you want to be when you grow up? None would say I want to design hard ware for houses. Yet some one does make these. This is something most people take for granted. Even if you are looking for a house to rent you probably won't say to your significant other I really want that apartment or studio because I really appreciate the drain screens metal design. You might if that is important to you. Things like the foundation of the house or apartment being level or whether it has a heater (for the winter) and an Air conditioner (for the Summer )are way more important to people who are going to pay their hard earned money for a place to live.
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