One of the most significant aspects of being an adult in the 21st century is the world's fast development. Be it entertainment or technology; everything is dynamic. OTT (over-the-top) media platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have understood this well. While earlier, both these entertainment giants focused heavily on providing sitcoms or light-hearted entertainment, the same is not so now. In the present day, both of them are loaded with intellectually stimulating content too.In this article, SURFACES REPORTER (SR) explores the top ten documentaries available on these two platforms that all Architects & Designers must watch to learn something new.
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1. Abstract: The Art of Design
Image courtesy: Netflix
This Netflix series takes you through an entertaining yet informative story about designs impacting our lives. The show presents the most creative designers from varied fields, including influential designers like Paula Scher. Abstract is an 8-episode long series that showcases the talents of elite illustrators such as Christoph Niemann and Tinker Hatfield, who is best known for his involvement in developing the Air Jordan 3 series. The beautifully shot series will leave you motivated and mesmerized!
2. Helvetica
Image courtesy-Wikipedia
Helvetica as the name suggests explores the history of Helvetica along with that it highlights graphic design, typography and visual culture. The Amazon series takes you through the proliferation of typeface and candid interviews with renowned graphic and type designers, including Massimo Vignelli, Rick Poynor, Matthew Cartera and Michael Bierut. The documentary delves into the beauty of typeface as well as inspects the criticism driven by the split between modernist and postmodernist ideologies.
3. Urbanized
Image courtesy-Wikipedia
This series takes an insightful dip into the use of design influencing the lives of billions. Urbanized focuses on the design of cities and the issues and strategies behind these urban features. The series features some of the world's most prominent architects and designers who explain how the design will frame the future. This includes Rem Koolhaas, Norman Foster, Amanda Burden, and Michael Sorkin.
4. Objectified
Image courtesy-Wikipedia
Objectified is a perceptive documentary that unleashes the creative aspect of design starting from daily use products such as toothbrushes to complex devices. It revolves around the reasons for their build and how it continues to influence us. This amazon series includes in-depth conversations with influential product designers. Some of them are Jonathan Ive, the Senior VP of Industrial Design of Apple and Chris Bangle: the former Design Director of BMW Group.
5. Amazing Interiors
Image courtesy: Netflix
Amazing interiors highlights the power of a beautiful interior without changing the exteriors. The show includes some exciting stories about homes with ordinary exteriors but extraordinary interiors.
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6. The Pruitt-Igoe Myth
Image courtesy-Amazon Prime
The series includes various interviews and footage exploring the story of transformation of the American city in the decades after World War II. It critiques the myth of failure by St.Louis housing development.
7. Lego House: Home of the Brick
BIG's Lego Village in Denmark. Image © Iwan
It took seven years for the danish firm BIG to build LEGO house! The Netflix series sets to focus on constructing this masterpiece from the conception of its idea to its grand opening.
8. Design Disruptors
Image courtesy-IMDb
The content in this series weaves the power of disrupting the design and making a mark. The show describes how influential companies like Netflix, Pinterest, Airbnb, Facebook and Spotify took a competitive edge in technology by increasing the essence of design.
9. Milton Glaser: To Inform and Delight
Image courtesy-Amazon Prime
Released 10 years back, the documentary is an excellent attempt at examining the life and work of foremost graphic designer Milton Glaser. The show explores his work ranging from newspaper, logos, the brand identifies, interior spaces, paintings, prints and much more. His creative mind is what designed Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits album cover, I Love NY More than Ever, the DC Comics logo, amongst much more. The show can be streamed on Amazon.
10. How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr Foster?
Image courtesy-Amazon Prime
The documentary offers a close and personal experience with the work of Norman Foster. It also takes a tour of the British architecture work influenced by him.
We hope these films and documentaries find a place in both your mind and heart like they did with us. Did we leave some great titles out? Comment below and let us know!
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