Are looks important ?

themoose · Nov 29, 2012

In design circles there is a statement that says that form should follow function. Taken in its strictest sense what that means is that a components form is dictated by whatever job or function it is supposed to perform so for instance if you are fabricating a bracket to mount your generator to the engine your only consideration would be that it is strong enough and of adequate size and configuration to safely and efficiently get the job done. I certainly agree with all of that but I also believe that you should attempt to make your fabrication designs look aesthetically pleasing as well functional. Do you think that a design should be strictly functional and just get the job done with no frills or should Pretty enter into the equation. Example pictures welcome!

VoodooTwin · Nov 29, 2012

The priority must be function, but form (aesthetics) must be included as well. Assuming we're talking about parts that are to be seen.

3wLarry · Nov 29, 2012

ask brian bass that question...

rustang · Nov 29, 2012

Sometimes Function "can be" form.....I like well done, but raw, work.... things that are mechanical, but that can be touched and handled....this is what I really like..
Tom

Don's Hot Rods · Nov 29, 2012

We hot rodders tend to take function to a different level because we like cool looking components. That is why we shape and drill things like gussets so that when we post them on here, or display our car somewhere, other car people will appreciate the extra steps we took to get them looking like that.

That being said, I shoot for strength and function first and then just do a little more to make things a little prettier.

Don

Dan in Canada · Nov 29, 2012

I consider and build for strength and function first, but I always consider the appearance as well. I want the part to look good, regardless of where it is. Others may not ever see it, but I will know its there.

...but; then again, I AM a little obsessive...and my car is STILL not done because of this.

HOTRODPRIMER · Nov 29, 2012

I think most of us would agree that form follows function,I also believe that the majority of us apply that theory whether we do it consciously or not.

If we were to disallow that looks are not important to the overall esthetics of our projects we would be building rat rods! HRP

66cayne · Nov 29, 2012

does anyone want to marry a homely woman?? same thought applies to the aesthetics of mechanical design...

Don's Hot Rods · Nov 29, 2012

66cayne said: ↑

does anyone want to marry a homely woman?? same thought applies to the aesthetics of mechanical design...
Click to expand...

Depends on how good she can cook.

Don

Dan in Canada · Nov 29, 2012

HOTRODPRIMER said: ↑

LOL ... I wish I had said that.
Click to expand...

stuart in mn · Nov 29, 2012

One of my professors in engineering school told us the three rules of good design:

1. Make it work
2. Make it simple
3. Make it pretty

I've tried to follow those three steps ever since.

HOTRODPRIMER · Nov 29, 2012

Dan in Canada said: ↑

LOL ... I wish I had said that.
Click to expand...

You just did! HRP

Flowmeister · Nov 29, 2012

stuart in mn said: ↑

One of my professors in engineering school told us the three rules of good design:

1. Make it work
2. Make it simple
3. Make it pretty

I've tried to follow those three steps ever since.
Click to expand...

Yup, That about sums it up!

lakeroadster · Nov 29, 2012

A good example of this is Henry Ford's Model T's. Initially it was designed strictly for function. Then other manufacturer's more stylish designs lead to the '26 which was much more refined.. under all that new sheet metal was basically the same chassis.

From what I have read Henry fought the redesign.

1925

1926

falcongeorge · Nov 29, 2012

themoose said: ↑

your only consideration would be that it is strong enough and of adequate size and configuration to safely and efficiently get the job done, while building it as light as possible within those parameters. I certainly agree with all of that
Click to expand...

There, fixed it. Do that, and the looks take care of themselves. For further explanation, look at pictures of old Millers.

1971BB427 · Nov 29, 2012

I don't care how strong a part is if it's uglier than heck!
I also don't care how pretty a part is if it's going to break!
So the result is I like parts that are both strong and pretty, and they are equally important if the part is exposed. If it's hidden, then I'm a little more flexible on the pretty portion, and more concerned about strength.

john mullen · Nov 29, 2012

If its worth doing its worth doing right and that means good looks is a part of quality

lakeroadster · Nov 29, 2012

falcongeorge said: ↑

Originally Posted by themoose
your only consideration would be that it is strong enough and of adequate size and configuration to safely and efficiently get the job done, while building it as light as possible within those parameters. I certainly agree with all of that

There, fixed it. Do that, and the looks take care of themselves. For further explanation, look at pictures of old Millers.
Click to expand...

Quite a bit more to it than that... Yugo's, Smart Cars and Prius' also fit that description .

hoodprop · Nov 29, 2012

if it is safe and u are havingfun doing t who cares

falcongeorge · Nov 29, 2012

lakeroadster said: ↑

Quite a bit more to it than that... Yugo's, Smart Cars and Prius' also fit that description .
Click to expand...

You dont have your facts straight. Curb weight on a prius is over 3000 lbs. My old pinto, WITH a sbf in it, bigger car, was 1988.

Retro Jim · Nov 29, 2012

When I need to fab a part , bracket or whatever , I always want to make sure it will work for the purpose that it is being made for, bottom line . Then I want to make sure that it's strong enough to last for a very long time and stand up to the abuse I will put it through .
Once I have that all done to my satisfaction , I then might want to make some changes to make it more appealing to the rest of the parts that it's attached to so it will blend in all together and look like it's suppose to be there and not just something stuck there to hold something on .
It has to work 100% and look just as good as the rest of the parts !
So looks is ONLY important if the part will hold up and last to what it was designed for .

Retro Jim

Tinbender · Nov 29, 2012

Form and function. The two are pretty tightly linked for me. Even if you cant see it it should look good. One of the reasons I never finish anything for me! It's the reason I'm blown away so much by this place...........pure art........that functions....but damn you guys set the bar high!

lakeroadster · Nov 29, 2012

falcongeorge said: ↑

You dont have your facts straight. Curb weight on a prius is over 3000 lbs. My old pinto, WITH a sbf in it, bigger car, was 1988.
Click to expand...

Sorry, guess that means I am not a Prius Expert.

31Vicky with a hemi · Nov 29, 2012

Form follows function is Louis Sullivan's phrase "form (ever) follows function" became a battle-cry of Modernist architects after the 1930s. The credo was taken to imply that decorative elements, which architects call "ornament," were superfluous in modern buildings.

Architects and mechanics aren't the same , auto designers aren't necessarily architects and fabrication ( which includes ornamental iron) mixed with a mechanic equal hotroder.

OK now the art deco stuff certainly wouldn't follow this.

Hot rods in general are cooler when they are simpler using vintage parts which have some art deco influence.

fish3495 · Nov 29, 2012

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

bobscogin · Nov 29, 2012

themoose said: ↑

Do you think that a design should be strictly functional and just get the job done with no frills or should Pretty enter into the equation.
Click to expand...

That's a personal choice. At one end of the spectrum is the "problem solver". He's an engineer, not an artist. Functionality, acceptable workmanship, and conservation of time is his objective. At the other end is the artist. The fabrication of a part becomes an expression of his artistic perspective. It can consume way more time to fabricate than a strictly functional piece, but emphasizes the builder's artistic skills. I think most of us are in the middle somewhere. I am, and I'm capable of being more "artistic" than my work usually reflects but I'm not willing to invest the time or the small fortune in flap wheels and finishing disk.

Bob

coopsdaddy · Nov 29, 2012

Looks are what its all about,if not we would all drive civics.

The37Kid · Nov 29, 2012

Look at ANYTHING Bass builds................any other questions? Bob

themoose said: ↑

In design circles there is a statement that says that form should follow function. Taken in its strictest sense what that means is that a components form is dictated by whatever job or function it is supposed to perform so for instance if you are fabricating a bracket to mount your generator to the engine your only consideration would be that it is strong enough and of adequate size and configuration to safely and efficiently get the job done. I certainly agree with all of that but I also believe that you should attempt to make your fabrication designs look aesthetically pleasing as well functional. Do you think that a design should be strictly functional and just get the job done with no frills or should Pretty enter into the equation. Example pictures welcome!
Click to expand...

Waddayacare · Nov 29, 2012

Don's Hot Rods said: ↑

Depends on how good she can cook.

Don
Click to expand...

I've heard she can cook........

31Vicky with a hemi · Nov 29, 2012

Waddayacare said: ↑

I've heard she can cook........

Click to expand...

Dude you are not right !
And that ain't what you said

Does that say " lowering kit" on her Jersey ?

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from Minneapolis

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1952-59 Ford Social Group

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