Have you ever wondered why certain buildings, cars, and household items from the 1920s and 30s still look futuristic today? Welcome to Art Deco, the design movement that celebrated speed, technology, and the excitement of the machine age. Art Deco transformed everyday objects into bold statements using geometric patterns, streamlined shapes, and luxurious materials. This article introduces key characteristics of the Art Deco style providing an introduction to this design movement.

Key Features of the Art Deco Movement

• Bold geometric forms – zigzags, triangles, and V-shaped patterns
• Streamlined, aerodynamic shapes suggesting speed and modernity
• Symmetry and rectangular forms  – crisp, clean lines
• Lavish ornamentation featuring stylised natural or mechanical motifs
• Rich, contrasting colors often in high-gloss finishes
• Luxurious materials like exotic woods, stainless steel, aluminium, and sharkskin
• Stepped or setback forms particularly in architecture
• Incorporation of technological innovations celebrating the machine age
• Stylized representations of natural elements like sunbursts, fountains, and florals

Iconic Designers and Products

Architecture

William Van Alen

• Chrysler Building (1930, New York) – Famous for its steel crown with radiating arches and triangular windows, stainless steel gargoyles, and ornate lobby with exotic marbles

Raymond Hood

• Rockefeller Center (1933, New York) – Notable for its setback design and decorative elements

Industrial Design

Raymond Loewy

• Coldspot Refrigerator (1934) – Streamlined design with rounded corners
• Pennsylvania Railroad’s S1 Steam Locomotive (1939) – Epitome of streamlined design

Norman Bel Geddes

• Patriot Radio for Emerson (1940) – Featuring Catalin plastic in bold colors with streamlined case

Paul Frankl

• “Skyscraper” furniture series (1920s) – Reflecting architectural setback designs in furniture
• Speed Chair (1930s) – Embodying the streamlined aesthetic

Automotive Design

Harley Earl

• Cadillac V-16 (1930) – Lavish Art Deco styling with streamlined details
• Buick Y-Job (1938) – The industry’s first concept car with Art Deco influence

Interior Design

Donald Deskey

• Radio City Music Hall interiors (1932, New York) – Featuring aluminum, bakelite, and exotic wood finishes

Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann

• Cabinet designs featuring exotic woods, ivory inlays, and geometric patterns

Decorative Objects

René Lalique

• Glass car mascots (hood ornaments) like “Spirit of the Wind” (1928)
• Architectural glass panels for ocean liners and buildings

Jean Puiforcat

• Silver tea services with geometric forms and ebony handles

These designers and their works exemplify how Art Deco transformed technology and design into objects celebrating modernity, luxury, and the machine age.