“Design is not just a visual thing. It’s a thought process. It’s a skill. Ultimately, design is a tool to enhance our humanity.” – Interior Designer Ilse Crawford in the Netflix series Abstract: The Art of Design
Good design shapes our world. It surrounds us, even in sometimes banal places and sometimes surprising ways, captivating our attention with fluid forms and relatable sensations, and even going unnoticed, blending seamlessly in our lives when it embraces simplicity and functionality. By going behind the scenes and unravelling the design process of seminal creatives across a variety of fields, the Emmy-nominated Netflix series Abstract: The Art of Design excites the mind and shows us that good design is a way of thinking accessible to all, with a number of applications that remind us that we can make a difference in the world if we are thoughtful about what we do and how we do it.
Created by GDP founder and CEO Scott Dadich, who collaborated with Academy Award-winning director Morgan Neville and seasoned producer Dave O’Connor, Abstract: The Art of Design narrates the spirit and process of one designer per episode, impregnating each scene with artistry and evidence, bringing the work of each designer to life with an immersive, Emmy-nominated use of motion design. Whether highlighting the “pragmatic utopian” visions of renowned architect Bjarke Ingels, illuminating the delicate and profound use of light, film, and sculpture for the set design of Es Devlin, or communicating the peculiarities and characteristics of iconic brands through the work of graphic designer Paula Scher, a true painter of words, Abstract: The Art of Design simultaneously demystifies the design process while impressing us with the fortitude and virtuosity of the players involved, forging a better future with human-centered creativity and insight, stunning and unique.
With a total of fourteen episodes that span two seasons, Abstract: The Art of Design has been described by The New York Times as richly informative and visually lush, with the camera “snatching beauty in every field, from photography to interior design and everything in between.” Inspirational and forward-thinking, this thoughtful series encourages us to be more vigilant in how we view the world, bringing to our everyday an admiration for design thinking and a grasp for how good design affects our lives, from the riveting imaginations of those who conceive it to the enhanced lived experience of those who use it. With one good design at a time, we craft for ourselves a better future, making this series an inspirational must-see, entertaining in pace and mind-opening in substance.
February 2024
