Grammer:Syntax

Audience, in design, refers to the intended viewer for whom the product was designed. Audiences can be put into many categories such as age, gender, family, mature, interest, subject, etc. For example, as school playground would have a very young audience where as a retirement home has a very old audience. Libraries are intended for a quiet, studious audience while a stadium is made for rowdy, cheering fans. Many public places are kept generic, such as medical offices as business places, to satisfy aesthetic needs of many types of people. Interestingly, the intended audience of an auditorium is an actual audience. In this type of space, seating is supplied in a way that the focus of the viewer is directed towards a stage or similar point. Abramovitz’ Lincoln Center in New York is home to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. “From the ceiling, elongated hexagons were suspended as ‘acoustical clouds’ to disperse the sound to the audience (Roth, 82).”


However, there was a major flaw in Abramovitz’ design. “Among several problems, the sound was unevenly dispersed throughout the hall. Eventually, a number of important soloists and orchestras flatly refused to perform there (Roth, 82).” Thus, architect Philip Johnson and acoustical consultant Cyril Harris revised the design to make it more effective as a concert hall. Revisions are crucial if the first iteration of a design doesn’t fully realize its goal. Literally, a revision is a second attempt a realizing a vision. Many things go through revisions: constitutions, laws, term papers, movies, songs, buildings, etc. If it is found that the rules or ideas put into a product no longer apply or function, a revision is in order so as to replenish the usefulness of the product. It is like giving something a character uplift.


Character is what is unique about a design.