Postmodernism

• Postmodern product design emerged as a reaction against the perceived limitations of modernism, embracing eclecticism, irony, and historical references. 

  Example: The "Juicy Salif" citrus juicer designed by Philippe Starck for Alessi in 1990 combines futuristic aesthetics with functional design, resembling a space-age sculpture rather than a traditional kitchen appliance.
• Eclecticism and Mixing Styles: Postmodern product design often blends elements from different styles, historical periods, and cultural references to create eclectic and visually stimulating objects.
• Cultural Critique and Social Commentary: Postmodern product design can serve as a form of cultural critique and social commentary, questioning prevailing ideologies, values, and power structures
• Irony and Wit: Postmodern product design often employs irony, wit, and humor to subvert expectations and challenge established norms.
• Hybridity and Blurring of Boundaries: Postmodern product design blurs the boundaries between art and design, high and low culture, and different design disciplines, resulting in hybrid forms and cross-disciplinary collaborations.
• Fragmentation and Deconstruction: Postmodern product design may emphasize fragmentation and deconstruction, breaking down traditional forms and structures into their constituent parts or reassembling them in unexpected ways
• • Simplistic juxtapositions of geometric forms (using geometric forms, like Art Deco, but positioning is more random). This produced more abstract geometric forms. 
  • Bold and colourful playful designs (often a range of bright colours, including those directly opposite in the colour wheel). 
  • Challenging sculptural forms that often compromised on function.
  • Use of pattern for surface decorations
  • Use of unconventional modern materials
• • Rebellion against simplicity of form and purely functional nature of Modernism.
  • Memphis group comprised of Italian designers and architects.  
  • 1970’s and 80’s.