• Archives of design research
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• v.20 no.3 s.71
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• pp.279-288
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• 2007

Today, design is not free from fashion, which emerges and vanishes temporarily, and aims at equalization. As a result, products quickly become obsolete because of fashion. This means that the span of products is determined by a social concept, which is not clarified, regardless of their functions. Usable products will gradually disappear from us and it will cause serious environmental problems, unless we can find out measures against fashion. As such, it is important to study the characteristics of the shaker's design in this circumstance. The Shaker's community has a distinguishable difference from other general societies. Temporary fashion and misled information cannot interfere with their consciousness. Religion, the life and the principle of design have developed on the same level in their community. Especially, any decoration or the difference of materials is not allowed in shaker's design. It reflects their thinking that all people are equal in the sight of God. Therefore, any decoration for social and economical superiority can not be used. Through this consciousness, they can be free from fashion or decoration. They, also, believe that they can reach perfection through practicality and simplicity. The reason why shaker's design is not disturbed by fashion is that their belief is involved in their design. Consequently, if religious or conscious contents are primarily set up, design can be free from fashion and products can be used for a long time.