Biomorphism vs Mid-Century Modern

バイオモーフィズム／有機的形態 / ミッドセンチュリー・モダン

Biomorphism comes from Modern Architecture and Mid-Century Modern from Retro. Both are read here as style. They are reached for with some of the same intent, which is where they get confused.

Biomorphism

Biomorphism — ヘップワース美術館の彫刻庭園（CC BY-SA 2.0）Biomorphism — ヘップワースの彫刻庭園（CC BY-SA 2.0）Biomorphism — ヘップワース庭園から望む（CC BY-SA 2.0）

Extends asymmetric, continuous forms suggesting cells, bones, organs and plants into abstraction, furniture, vessels and space.

Mid-Century Modern

Mid-Century Modern — Charles and Ray Eames《Lounge Chair》1956 — Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0Mid-Century Modern — Charles and Ray Eames《LCW》1945, ホノルル美術館 — Wikimedia Commons / CC0Mid-Century Modern — Case Study House #21（Pierre Koenig）— Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

Adds hand-felt curves and warmth to rational geometry.

BiomorphismMid-Century Modern
Era1930s–1960s / ongoing1940s–1960s
FamilyModern ArchitectureRetro
KindStyleStyle
CuesAsymmetric curves / Cell-like forms / Smooth continuous surfaces / Abstraction from natureOrganic shapes / Calm warm colors / Succinct illustration / Diagonal movement
Best used forFurniture and vessels shaped by curves that follow the hand and body · Placing one softening element inside a hard rectilinear spaceBalancing friendliness with intelligence · Building contexts of living, furniture and culture
TypeChoose letterforms without corners and set them along the contourA rounded sans-serif
CompositionAvoid symmetry and close the outline as one continuous lineAsymmetric yet stable balance
MaterialMoulded plywood or resin, plaster, polished wood, joints blended into curvesMustard, teal, textures of wood and paper
CautionAdding curves without measuring against the body leaves nothing the hand can confirm, and the object is merely round.Don't pile up retro props. Fit the forms to today's information structure.

Put these two together

Modern Architecture ／ Retro

IndexStyle