The question arises whether or not there is a high-end design which maintains aesthetics as well as engineering perfection.

   Seemingly, the two functions contradict. On one hand, there is an engineering approach, which is: everything must be subordinated to sound quality. The aesthetic considerations are irrelevant. The shape of each component, including the shape of the box housing the device, and over-all size are only the result of engineering decisions.  After all engineering considerations are taken, only then can aesthetics be addressed. Of course, in engineering there are stylistic considerations. While this is true, the over-all appeal of the equipment leans toward its outer design. One can not ignore that high-end equipment will most likely become the focal point in any household. Besides, the external appearance ought to reflect the tremendous effort that was made on the part of the internal engineering.

   Solution: the common denominator is quality. Quality is not an aesthetic concept, and can not be applied independently to engineering either. The real quality would be like a shell, or aura, which is surrounded by the objects. Architects say „it is not my favorite buildings that are beautiful, but their affect on the landscape. Thus, the quality is also compiled of the scenery in which it exists. The functionality of arrangement and structural clarity - both logical - as well as the economical trademark, are all part of the intended architecture. This is true of most civil engineering projects such as bridges, towers, or industrial plants, which also lean towards so greater aesthetic design - but this too is logical if there exists in the project sound design concepts.  Many areas are considered from the beginning!

   If this is so, then we find there is indeed a high-end development team of designers. Logical engineering decisions must be a priority, and if everything works, then the object is designed not only for strength and durability, but also to be pretty. This is true, but what is hard to quiet in the field of Electronics Design is the aesthetic endeavor, one that most professionals obviously give great attention to, in addition to speeding up the process if another way of thinking is also present in the assembly, manufacturability, design features, etc. The designer's role here is a bit different than usual. There is no stylist, it is not the task of the designer to figure out what the format is, but to dissolve into the developer team. He is someone who lives with them through every bit of the technical problems, finely influence the whole process of design ideas from the beginning, but his/her presence is yet undetectable. It is important that he/she is obsessed with the clarity and quality of the music.

   The Human Audio design is often reminiscent of the beauty of old instruments, from which the formation of sounds have been influenced by their refined shape, through the centuries.  The master instrument maker of yester-year can also be described as a decorative artist - from artist of antiquity, only certain instrument head carvings or special paintings survived and they all were also heavily influenced by age and place of style, of which only gestures, in the form of fine creations of art, live on.

András Göde

- designer -