User Reviews

This documentary series searches the proceess and the purpose of design arts at a very high level. It also cares about the people and artists it portrays, often digging into their personal lives. The subject matter and how they are portayed and explored are always impactful and worthwhile. The themes are applicable in the very minutae of the specific art sphere explored, bur also philosophic, personal, profound and open-ended to be applicable in life and daily thoughts.

Mostly, these are inspiring profesional stories and riveting information on the works and behind-the-scenes stories of some of the top innovators in their fields. These people are changing the world. Thank you for the series to put such a deserved spotlight on these worthile topics.

After 2 seasons, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi's 2 episodes and showrunner Morgan Neville's 3 episodes are stellar, but even a lesser episode is of high quality and insight. Learn about Architecture and Bio-Architecture and how Typecast is much more complicated than you probably think. What is Design FOR play and how can that possibly change our future? Watch Abstract: the Art of Design and with your family and friends to find lots to discuss and discover.

It is fascinating to see this sort of focus applied to the creation of what we might otherwise take for granted, and appreciate not just the art, but the artist behind this work.

anyone who loves art, or an art student, or an artist has to watch this series... 8 different artists way of thinking, way of living... and how they do and describe their art... a fantastic 6 hours full with art and love and passion... be sure you will not regret... just watch it... and make your kids watch it also...

I have been waiting for something like this for so long!!!

This is absolutely a great documentary, great content and great people. I watched episodes multiple times while working on my art as I felt that they are talking my language and sharing my thoughts.

I want to thank the whole team for this documentary and all the artists for sharing info with full transparency with the world. You made me love my work even more!

Thank you " Abstract " team. Design is for everyone. CAN'T WAIT for the new season!

hj

I went 30 years without a TV and one of the first shows on Netflix that I watched after getting one was Abstract. Very high quality designers were featured so I thought I'd found a show that I could turn to to watch on a regular basis. Then it was discontinued. I still lament that and wish that whoever was producing, directing, writing the show would do it again. There are so few options in the art and design field. If the powers that be are reading this, please know that you would have a following if enough time were given to the show to get the word out.

The show is excellent, is well directed and very well produced, but what I like the most is the very honest way to present the persons behind the work, they are not presented in typical PR or marketing way, they are presented as humans with some gifts and some struggles, their stories are truly inspiring mostly because are not fantastic or heroic, just because they are very human.

I wish I saw these masterminds and master-do'ers when I was 10..11..14

Talking series: visuals, narrative, sound... it's great.

Oh my the content!!! I'm especially blown away by Neri Oxman and Bjarke Ingels. People I did not know and truly amaze!

This is educational material for philosophical classes, biology, technical classes, psychology, sociology or to impress 10 year old kids and possibly make a life changing imprint. It shows assertiveness, motivational power, creativity and connectivity

WOOOOOW

The quality is mediocre. The story telling is the vulgar myth building and even if it is a very usual way of telling stories, the creators do not excel at it.

Overall it's trivia plus misunderstandings from people with limited education. Take the second episode. One man qualified in making pretty drawings and very qualified shoe makers do some shoes. They are pretty. They are comfortable. That is undeniable. But step any way further away and one steps into superstitious crap. There are no doctors in the team, no physicists, no biologists. Because the performance increase comes from the comfort and not from any performance babble. And just because a famous ball player wore these shoes and got paid a huge amount of money, that does not mean Regular Joe won't sprain an ankle in the exact same pretty shoe. The ball player might have an excellent game bare footed, because he is the blonde with big boobs using a power drill in the advert.

Short: nice to hear those people talk, even if they have no idea what they are talking about.

Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

One of the standout qualities of the series is its ability to showcase the breadth and diversity of design disciplines. From architecture to illustration, graphic web design to footwear design, each episode highlights a different field and introduces us to the exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to their respective industries.

Through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and stunning visuals, the series takes us on a journey into the minds of these designers, allowing us to gain a deeper understanding of their inspirations, challenges, and the transformative power of their work. It celebrates the creative process and reveals the dedication, passion, and ingenuity that drives these artists to push boundaries and redefine what is possible. The production value of the series is top-notch. The cinematography is visually striking, capturing the beauty and intricacies of the design process. Combined with a thoughtful and engaging narrative, the series succeeds in creating a captivating and informative viewing experience. "Abstract: The Art of Design" goes beyond simply showcasing the work of these designers; it also explores the broader implications of design in our everyday lives.

Let's face it, these design episodes are meant to entertain rather than to provoke any intellectual thinking. Some designers are genuinely inspiring (such as Niemann and Devlin), it's just that the way the ideas are presented... it seems to tick all the boxes of clichés in terms of what people think of design. I'm sure if asked the right questions, some of the designers will be more illuminating.

The episode most fraught with clichés and posing? Hands down, Neri Oxman. All the superficial citations of well-known figures and mindless mentions of concepts and stories. And all the love for nature without remotely looking like she gives a d*mn about the conservation of it.

The ephemeral nature of the beauty we try to copy vs the lasting impression of experiencing the flow state of creative expression is the endearing and intriguing subject matter, one that the producers explore with varying levels of success.

The first one in the series is my personal favorite for the sheer brilliance of solving the impasse between the interests of toy manufacturers and the urgent need for gender neutral toys.

Highly recommended viewing.

Season 1 was amazing, each episode was fascinating and the story telling of design is riveting. However, season 2 has become a documentary about people and social issues instead of design itself. This is very sad and disappointing. I can't even finish half of the episode about Ruth Carter who is a costume designer...

Season 2 gets the full Netflix treatment of shoving political agendas down your throat. The show is now more about politics than it is about Design.