The contemporary design landscape is increasingly characterized by "bloviating" rather than expressiveness, suggesting that visual volume has overtaken beauty, according to designer Debbie Millman. This trend raises fundamental questions about societal values and the concept of "enough" in a world saturated with design.
Millman distinguishes between ugliness and vulgarity, noting that while ugliness can be intentional and even intelligent, vulgarity emerges when scale, excess, or attention-seeking disregards context entirely. This becomes particularly noticeable in shared environments such as architecture, automobiles, and commercial spaces, where individuals often have no say in the design choices that impact their surroundings.
Examples include houses that appear to overpower their lots, increasingly imposing vehicles, and storefronts engaged in a constant battle for attention. These instances move beyond simple aesthetics, becoming consequential when they overwhelm the public environment. The objects and designs that proliferate reflect what society values, and Millman observes an escalating appetite for more across many sectors.
This observation prompts a re-examination of one of design's most enduring questions: How much is enough? The objects we design and consume serve as indicators of our collective values, and the current trend suggests an amplified desire for excess. This focus on sheer volume over aesthetic quality has led to a world where design choices frequently prioritize being noticed over being beautiful, creating an environment that feels increasingly overwhelming and less harmonious.