Watch Objectified

Objectified is a documentary film directed by Gary Hustwit and released in 2009. It explores the world of industrial design and examines the impact of everyday objects on our lives. Through interviews with designers, historians, and experts in the field, the film provides an informative and engaging look at the process and philosophy of product design.

The movie features a range of prominent designers from all around the world, including Paola Antonelli, Chris Bangle, and Andrew Blauvelt. Antonelli, a senior curator at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, provides insight into the role of design in shaping culture and society. Bangle, who was the former director of design at BMW, shares his thoughts on how design can be used to create strong emotional connections between people and products. Blauvelt, a design director and curator, discusses the relationship between design and sustainability.

Throughout the film, we see how designers approach the creation of objects, from the initial concept phase to production and distribution. We learn about the different considerations that go into the design process, such as ergonomics, aesthetics, and functionality. The film also shows how designers try to balance the needs of different stakeholders, including consumers, companies, and society as a whole.

Objectified covers a wide range of products, from automobiles to toothbrushes, and highlights some of the innovative designs that have become iconic in their respective fields. For example, we learn about the design of Apple's iPod, which combined sleek aesthetics with user-friendly functionality to revolutionize the digital music industry. We also see how the design of the Oxo Good Grips kitchen utensils was influenced by research on the needs of people with arthritis.

One of the key themes in the film is the idea of designing for longevity. The designers interviewed emphasize the importance of creating products that are durable, repairable, and adaptable. They argue that in a world of disposable objects, it's more important than ever to create products that are built to last. We see examples of this in the design of Herman Miller's Aeron chair, which was designed to be customizable and repairable, and in the design of the Swiss Army knife, which has remained virtually unchanged for over a century.

Overall, Objectified is an engaging and informative documentary that provides a fascinating look into the world of industrial design. Through interviews with designers and experts in the field, the film shows how objects are designed to meet the needs of consumers, companies, and society as a whole. It also highlights the importance of designing for longevity, and the role of design in shaping culture and society. If you're interested in design, innovation, and the impact of everyday objects on our lives, Objectified is definitely worth a watch.

Objectified is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.