Artistic Conception, Imagery And Mood

Ming-style furniture is the masterpiece that represents the joint wisdom ofChinese cultural elites and skillful craftsmen. It is therefore, generally acknowledgedto be the essence of Chinese Civilization as well as the symbol of traditional Chinesedesign which has a profound influence on both furniture design and environmentaldesign across the world. Under the contexts of traditional Chinese art and Chineseculture, this paper focuses on different causes of design hidden behind the forms ofMing-style furniture as to carry out further study on its design philosophy and try toestablish a unique methodology of Chinese design.By elaborating on the following three concepts——idea, image and ideorealm,this paper answers the questions to the designing concept and characteristics of Ming-style furniture along with what kind of beauty it brings to people. And in order to findout the origin of Ming-style furniture, the paper begins with arguments concerning thefollowing four aspects: the influence that traditional Chinese philosophy has upondesign concept, the people-oriented principle, the guidance of aesthetic orientationand the change of form in line with user demand. Then, through discussions onChinese calligraphy, paintings and space design, the paper reveals the Chineseaesthetic norm behind the form and characteristics of Ming-style furniture. Finally,from an aesthetic point of view, the paper will summarize the eastern beauty that liesin Ming-style furniture.In conclusion the paper reanalyzes the clues mentioned above, aiming to providea clear definition for Ming-style furniture and its artistic values as well as the origin ofidea. In the end, it is also possible to give evidence to the design concept that evolvesfrom idea, image and ideorealm through one’s own design practice. At the meantime,wishing this paper could be of some use in finding a theoretical evidence for thedevelopment of Chinese Design.