Compare and Contrast the Theory and Practice of.
William Morris and Christopher Dresser.
William Morris (1834- 96) and Christopher Dresser (1834- 1904) are both primarily known for their innovative designing skills. Both were, and still are, figureheads in the world of design. Dresser being regarded as the first true industrial designer and Morris is said to be the father of the arts and craft movement. .
Morris and Dresser differ in many ways, including theory and practice, yet in some ways they share very similar ideas. The fundamental difference between them is that Dresser designed for mass production using continually advancing industrial methods, which would be more readily available for a larger proportion of middle class Britain . Morris, however frowned upon these methods and designed articles to be crafted traditionally by hand, ergo requiring the price of his goods to become higher and in turn making them available to the higher end of the country's middle class. .
Morris first studied at Marlborough and Exeter College, Oxford. Originally intending to take holy orders, his decision was changed after reading of Carlyle, Kingsley and John Ruskin, steering him in a new direction which would eventually lead him to a life devoted to the world of art. .
Moriss drew a lot of influence from John Ruskin, a critic who praised the art of medieval craftsmen, sculptors and carvers who he believed were free to express their creative individuality. He was also extremely critical of artists and designers of the 19th century, like Dresser, who he believed to be "slaves of the industrial age". It seems this is where Morris inherited and developed his theory and practice of traditional design, and dislike of designers like Christopher Dresser.
Dresser, however, was happy to embrace the industrial revolution with open arms and felt the need to encourage and develop these newly emerging technologies.
