In a world where our work needs to be driven by trends more than to set them to get traction and be accepted and reach a certain level of popularity, such as it’s explained in The Kawaiization of product design by Tobias van Schneider and the many posts online on “trends to follow this” followed by the year, it’s important to understand why we feel so driven by them and why they work.

Gesamtkunstwerk is a German word that translates to “total work of art.” It is a concept that originated in the late 19th century and refers to an approach to art that integrates multiple art forms into a single, cohesive work. The idea of Gesamtkunstwerk is to create a harmonious and integrated experience for the viewer, where each element of the work — including architecture, music, literature, theatre, and visual arts — contributes to the overall effect.

The concept of Gesamtkunstwerk was particularly influential in the development of the modernist movement, where artists sought to break down the traditional boundaries between different art forms. In this context, the goal was to create a new, integrated art form that combined elements from different disciplines to create a more immersive and holistic experience for the viewer. Some of the most well-known examples of Gesamtkunstwerk include the work of architects like Le Corbusier and Walter Gropius, who incorporated elements of visual art, sculpture, and architecture into their designs. The concept of Gesamtkunstwerk continues to be influential in the development of new forms of art, particularly in the field of multimedia and digital art.

Gesamtkunstwerk from a design perspective

From a design perspective, the Gesamtkunstwerk idea seeks to create a seamless and immersive experience for the viewer, where all elements of the work are harmoniously combined to create a cohesive and integrated whole. Designers working in this tradition aim to create a harmonious balance between form and function, where every aspect of the work, from the choice of materials to the use of light, contributes to the overall experience.

In architectural design, the Gesamtkunstwerk concept is often associated with the Arts and Crafts movement and the work of architects such as Gottfried Semper and Richard Wagner. These architects sought to create buildings that were not just functional structures but also works of art in their own right, where every aspect of the building, from the door, and handles to the roof, was designed to contribute to the overall experience.

In contemporary design, the Gesamtkunstwerk idea is still relevant and can be seen in the work of designers who seek to create an immersive and holistic experience for their audience. This is particularly evident in digital media and product design, where designers aim to create a seamless and intuitive user experience that integrates all aspects of the product, from the graphics to the user interface.

Through the lens of cohesiveness

Gesamtkunstwerk can be used as a lens to interpret trends in design by looking at how various design elements come together to create a cohesive, integrated whole. In this context, designers can use the concept of Gesamtkunstwerk to analyze and understand the interplay between different design elements, such as colour, texture, form, and function.

For example, in a trend towards minimalist design, designers may focus on simplicity and clean lines to create a sense of calm and order. By examining this trend through the lens of Gesamtkunstwerk, designers can consider how each element of the design, from the choice of materials to the use of negative space, contributes to the overall effect of simplicity and minimalism.

By studying design trends through the Gesamtkunstwerk perspective, designers can attain a deeper comprehension of how various design elements come together to create a seamless and unified experience. This knowledge will enable them to create innovative designs that are in line with current trends and styles.

Gesamtkunstwerk and design trends

Humans are influenced by trends because of the mental models builds around popular demand and psychological principles that shape our thinking. We often follow the behaviour of others, even if it doesn’t make sense to us, because we assume that if everyone else is doing it, it must be the right thing to do. We also tend to be drawn to things that are popular or fashionable, because we think that if something is popular, it must be good.

Another approach to understanding the implications of design trends and how we are driven toward them is the approach of applying principles to design that is widely understood as functional and successful, and examples of that are the Gestalt principles.

The Gestalt Principles are a set of guidelines that explain how people perceive and organize visual elements into groups. These principles suggest that when people look at a collection of objects, they tend to perceive them as organized patterns or groups, rather than as individual objects. For example, when looking at a group of circles, people tend to see the group as a single shape, rather than a collection of individual circles.

Gesamtkunstwerk and the Gestalt Principles of Design

The idea behind the Gesamtkunstwerk is that the combination of different artistic elements creates a more powerful and emotional experience than each art form alone.

Similarly, the Gestalt Principles of Design also emphasize the importance of the whole over its parts. These principles are a set of guidelines used in visual design to create a harmonious and unified composition. They include concepts such as proximity, similarity, and closure, which describe how our brains perceive and organize visual information. Like the Gesamtkunstwerk, the Gestalt Principles of Design recognize that the combination of different elements can create a more meaningful and impactful whole.

It is possible to apply the Gestalt Principles of Design to create a Gesamtkunstwerk, one must consider the integration of multiple art forms and how they relate to each other in a unified and cohesive way. It’s also important to consider the audience’s experience and continuously evaluate and refine the integration of the different art forms until the desired result is achieved. By following these steps and integrating the Gestalt Principles of Design into the process, it’s possible to create a Gesamtkunstwerk that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also emotionally impactful and meaningful.

Creating a common experience

Creating a common experience across different types of media and applications can make it easier for people to use them. For example, if a website and an app have the same design, layout, and features, it will be more intuitive for users to switch between the two. This kind of consistency can save people time and energy, as they can transition between different platforms without having to relearn new features and designs. Additionally, it can make our lives simpler and more user-friendly by reducing the friction of switching between different platforms. This can be especially beneficial for those who use multiple platforms and media types in their daily lives.

We are driven by simplicity, and therefore if familiarity is one of the elements that can simplify our experience we will always be more influenced by it and take it as the right approach to use something. Understanding how that, sometimes interpreted as Gesamtkunstwerk can be the core reason why it’s so important to follow rules and adapt our designs to what it’s publicly understood as a successful approach.

Further reading

If you wish to learn more about Gesamtkunstwerk and the

I hope you found it informative and learn something else. Understanding how the human brain works is a crucial skill for every designer and knowing some resources on people that have studied this before should enable you to get a wider understanding of the world and how to improve your design work. If you did, please consider giving it a clap or two to show your support. Additionally, if you’re interested in learning more about design, art, creativity, leadership or No-Code tools, you can follow me on Medium to stay updated on my latest posts.