Previously, I have studied “design as adherent beauty” and “design as parergon” by combining with Kantian aesthetics and design. These prior studies have a great significance in providing us with a new perspective on the characteristics of design in a broad sense through the concepts of Kant, but there is a lack of detailed analysis of each design product. Thus, this study focuses on the specific design artifacts presented in Kant's writings and attempts to see how he viewed and understood the products of his time. In other words, it is to examine various aspects of design through Kant’s aesthetic and artistic system in Critique of the Power of Judgment(Critique of Judgement; the 3rd Critique).
First, we have noticed that Kant exemplifies architecture as a metaphor for his scientific system. Because we want to show further that he is interested not only as fine art, but also as a design associated with some purpose. And then, we explained with a diagram how Kant classifies the arts. This is to explain how the arts of that time different from today's designs can be considered as a design concept. Although the definition and classification of arts may vary, on the basis of the concept of “disegno(design)” which is called the father of formative arts(architecture, sculpture, painting), we can look for something worthy of reference to modern design in the 3rd Critique.
Even if there was no title of design, there were definitely design activities in Kantian era and he was also interested in them. For example, furniture, clothing, rings, tobacco box, accessories, carpets, wallpapers, picture frames, houses, religious buildings, public facilities, pillared corridor, flower beds, gardens, amusement parks, festivals, drawing, colors, … and even acoustic sounds. All these are found in the 3rd Critique which, when we live in our daily lives, are those that are needed or encountered in various ways and that are parts of the design domain enough from today’s point of view.
Taking these into account, we looked at the line being basic element of design, the pattern design that focused on lines, architecture(space, interior, furniture) design, landscape design, product and accessory design, and color design and sound design which are included in arts of beautiful play of sensations. We also briefly mentioned the role of the designers and the warning to them. Of course, the situation of the era when Kant lived differs from that of our present age, and the artifacts at that time were not actively mass produced with modern industrial design concept. However, Kant's criticism of arts as artificial products could provide a new and significant perspective on contemporary design products.