Managing design : the Art and Colour Section at General Motors, 1927-1941

Author

Clarke, Sally

Document type

Article (journal)

Language

English

Source

Journal of design history. 1999, Num. 1, Vol. 12, 65-79, 8 ill.

ISSN

0952-4649

Abstract (en)

Investigates industrial design as a business risk. Studies General Motors (GM), a firm claiming so much power by 1941 that one might assume it faced no risks. But as Harley Earl styled vehicles as streamlined images of steel, GM managers wrestled with uncertainties about consumers' tastes, the technology for manufacturing car bodies, and the task of judging designers who as creative individuals defied "rational" management. GM effectively dealt with its styling risks as it dominated the largest consumer market. Still, GM cars were not necessarily the most fashionable or innovative autos on US highways.

Subject (en)

• General history of art -- 1800-1945 -- Decorative arts -- Other media and forms -- United States
• Automobiles
• United States
• 1900-2000
• Consumerism
• General Motors Corporation
• Vehicles
• Commerce

Subject (fr)

• Histoire générale de l'art -- 1800-1945 -- Arts décoratifs -- Autres formes d'art -- États-Unis
• Automobile
• Etats-Unis
• 1900-2000
• Consommation
• General Motors Corporation
• Véhicule
• Commerce

Origin

DatabaseBHA (Inist-CNRS/GRI)

Identifier19990701-00207351

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