Form, they say, follows function… which leads to many utilitarian everyday products. But every now and then you run into a design detail that shows inspired abuse of this principle: some unknown designer decides that the product also needs to be lovely, or unconventional, or humorous.
Here’s an example I’ve come across: a drain cover in a very basic drinking fountain.
They could have made this piece the usual way, with regular slits or holes. But the designer felt this circle of funny fishes trying to eat each other will be more pleasing to the thirsty user.
It was pleasing to me – and I wish the anonymous designer with the sense of humor all the best!
those are very similar to the holes in floor drains that i saw last week at http://www.ostia-antica.org/
Very cool! Those ancient Roman artisans and engineers are definitely to my liking…