Entry #5

1. The Arts and Crafts movement was really focused on simplicity and the beauty of it. The top tier craftsmanship was also very prominent in the works. "Art for art's sake" is what the aesthetic movement was dubbed. To me, it felt like more of a revolt, artists were tired of being forced to conform. The use of symbols was also very strong.

#4. Not only did Tiffany and Co. have a major influence in shaping Aesthetic taste, but they also brought the world of fine jewelry to the US for the first time. The amount of "firsts" the company has in New York, is astounding. The simplicity and cleanliness of the company and their design is one of the biggest reasons that people recognize and love them even today, almost 200 years later. Everyone knows and can recognize the little blue box with Tiffany and Co on it, it's instantly recognizable.

"While many jewelry stores accepted payment on credit, for Tiffany it was cash only. In doing so, Tiffany further branded itself as a classy jewelry store that wouldn’t settle for anything less than the high price it demanded for its items." - Forbes

Entry #4

1. The Private Press Movement really pushed people to make things that were more focused on art and design rather than just strictly getting content out. William Morris founded the Kelmscott Press and Emery Walker Founded the Doves Press. The ideals of the Arts and Crafts Movement really put emphasis on the quality of craftsmanship, while still maintaining a level of beauty and simplicity.

2. Nature, craftsmanship, and simplicity. Those are the things that made Frank Lloyd Wright's Prairie style houses so successful. Implementing these sights of nature into each one in its own way was breathtaking. The stellar craftsmanship played directly into the role of the Arts and Crafts Movement as well, it brought the quality up to a very competitive area.

Entry #3

1. To me, when I look at the furniture in chapter 3, it looks like it's "finding itself". It's this weird in-between period where its super ornate and stylish, but it's also really awkward and not exactly... practical or efficient. While some of the individual parts are absolutely beautiful and flow-y, as a whole, it's just too much. I am sure these designs had people falling in love with this new era of furniture, and then probably realizing years down the line that it's just too much.

7. The whole point of The Great Exhibition was to show everyone that technology and improving it was the key to a better future for everyone. Queen Victoria's Husband, Prince Albert and Henry Cole were the ones that were really pushing this whole thing along to the general public. Primarily, the type of thing that were being shown were weapons like revolvers, a type of fax machine, and various other revolutionizing "tech". It was all to symbolize that a better, easier, more convenient time was coming. All of these things, now being in the public eye, would continue to be developed. I really would've enjoyed seeing all of the weapons, while it would probably be a bit intimidating at the time, it would be on of the most revolutionary of all.