What is ICONIC design?
The first thing I would say about ICONIC is that we need to draw the distinction between its contemporary usage in marketing/PR and its place in the review of design history. Hype is noisy and demands our attention, but it always fades. The iconic leaves a clear reference point, a new gold standard to which designers still aspire to.
So to me, an icon is someone who has transcended their field and their time to become an exalted cultural figure. Their names may not be known to everyone, but their visual legacy has been seamlessly integrated in our modern lives. When we think about icons such as Eero Saarinnen, Mies van der Rohe or Ray and Charles Eames it is easy to forget the years of trial and error they went through because their objects have become integral to our visual vocabulary.
I think it is important to note that iconic designers are both visionaries and problem solvers. The heart of design is about solving human problems, whether that relates to materiality, function or form. An iconic design is seen as ‘groundbreaking’ and one that sets new standards in its field. It sets a new benchmark. The test of an iconic design is that it stands up to the test of time and still has the power to inspire us. These designs outlive their creators in a way and take on a life of their own.
In short, an iconic design has its place in history and even changes history. It is a design that is immediately recognized by consumers, almost subconsciously.