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SingaporeDesign StudiesQuick questions

Design History and Movements

Quick questions on Art Nouveau and Art Deco: O-Level Design Studies

2short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.

What is art Nouveau?
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Art Nouveau flourished around 1890 to 1910. Its inspiration was nature, and its hallmark is the flowing, curving line: the famous "whiplash" curve derived from plant stems, vines and tendrils. Compositions are organic and often asymmetrical, filled with natural motifs such as flowers, leaves, insects and the flowing female form with long hair. The style is decorative and elegant, and it was applied across posters, architecture, furniture, jewellery and glass.
What is art Deco?
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Art Deco flourished around the 1920s and 1930s. Its inspiration was the machine age, speed, and modern glamour. Its hallmark is bold geometry: zigzags, chevrons, sunbursts, stepped shapes and strong straight lines, usually arranged symmetrically. Where Art Nouveau curves, Art Deco angles.

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