April 19, 2024
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Summary of approved PhD theses

Presentation of the designed artefact
Mgr. art. Marián Králik, ArtD.

The work of designer doesn’t end with grinding of the last edge, or with spray painting on surface of created object. Genuine designer artefact has potential to attract or impress the observer by its uniqueness and quality; however, in today’s mainstream and commercial age full of billboards we see the prominence of inferior quality products that are privileged with the support of clamorous advertisement. That is why designer should think of destiny of created work also after finishing of the creation process and he should pay attention to high-quality form of presentation that will help the artefact to break through the wider market. In constituting the thesis, I devoted myself to analysis of current perception of designer artefact, its function, aesthetics and its environment in chronological sequence of these facts. As the results there are conclusions that designate key factors important for presentation of artefact to recipient and also for ensuing success of the work. In theoretical part of the thesis I pay attention to importance of understanding of the target group for which the work is created. According to its characteristics, we can determine the most suitable presentation form and we are able to put together the most effective performance to support the successful sale of presented artefact. Practical part of the thesis is applied research in this field, where I devoted myself to creation of new designs in area of light artefacts. Thus I explored real connections between theoretical part of creation process and its design, subsequent application into practice. In this part I described practically the progress of creation of the work, beginning with the first sketch of the visual, through correct determination of its function, final presentation of the plan supported by multimedia, to technological process of creation of real artefact and its subsequent realisation.

The semantics of color in design
akad. mal. Vladimír Petrík, ArtD.

The main topic of this thesis is the color, which creates the aesthetics of objects together with form, brand and designer’s name. The color becomes as important as the function of the object. Emotional needs activated by the color of product become its integral part. This thesis examines the color, its history and different theories, the application and interpretation of colors and the connotation of this knowledge in the graphic and product design. The objective of this thesis is connected with the educational activities of the Institute of Design and is intended to expand the knowledge of students in the color semantics and to create illustrative material related to the use of color in the design. The information from respondents concerning their color preferences will be gathered through a survey. Few hypothetical questions will be asked: Is color crucial for the decision to buy and use the product? Are customers interested in the color of object and environment? What level of importance do they attach to it? What is their color preference? The second part of the research focuses on the transcription of the color range to the achromatic color scale and the capability of students to accomplish such task. Can the experience acquired during the university study become a lifelong need and a form of creative designers’ work? To achieve the objectives of the thesis we shall analyze the history of semiotics based on the works and findings of its main personalities. This research will help us to find answers related to the use of color and its connotation in designers works. On top of that, we shall analyze different systems of transfer of information contained in colors from the historical, psychological, and geographical aspect. The attention will be drawn to the history and theory of colors, color spaces and systems used by designers in their creative work. The historical classification based on the binary opposition of colors: white-black, red-green, yellow-blue and light-dark, warm-cold, stems inter alia from the anthropological studies. The color was thoroughly examined from all possible aspects during centuries and a lot of different theories arose, e.g. linear, circular, flat and spatial theory, theories of color categorization, and many others. Nevertheless, the color remains a mystery. Red, green and blue are the three primary colors, thanks to which we can distinguish all colors based on a three-channel composition of eye retina. German doctor Helmholz based his mixing of three color lights on this principle, and named it the additive mixing of light. Helmholtz’s scientific classification to hue, brightness and color saturation, became the basis for a modern classification of colors. Basically, the transformation of a color space RGB to the CMYK color space is called the Gamut. Categorization of color spaces is allowed by the combinatorics, which is applied in computers. The use of computers speeds up the creation of designers works and a rapid orientation in the color spaces. One of the strongest segments of design represent the automotive industry. Its color solutions developed incredibly in the second half of the 20th century. The ongoing development in this sector brought the creation of unrepeatable coloristic innovations. Its color concepts are based on the classic spectral colors and metallic colors. The impact of color occurs not only in cars, the color segmentation affects the fast orientation in space. The research itself will be divided into two parts. We will focus on the popularity of certain colors for consumer goods and specific environment. As mentioned, the relevant data will be collected via survey and the outcome of it will be analyzed and evaluated. The second part of the research will be aimed to establish the ability of students to transform the range of warm and cold tones in a gray scale on the colored squares. Knowledge of such as a scale is like a grey graphite drawing that provides the initial and immediate visualization of the designer’s idea. In addition to the shape the designer can visualize the color of the product. The evaluation of the realized survey confirmed that the color is an important and integral part of the product and the environment. Customers, users of the product, appreciate the emotional effect of colors and attach to them a great importance in the perception of the product and space. The thesis uses standard methods of analysis, synthesis, abstraction and combinatorics. For the comparison of data acquired from our own research we have used the statistical method. Main sources of information for the thesis are domestic and foreign literature, questionnaires, interviews, students’ works, publications related to history, theory, semiotics, design and color. The results of the research suggest, that ignoring the wealth of color information and its aesthetic message would be overlooking one of the most powerful communication designers tool.

Axiology design interactive elements in terms of active expression
Mgr. art. Eva Kubáňová, ArtD.

In the assessment of the design is subject to the interest of the entire hierarchy of functions interact and become the communication with the user. The starting point for communication with the design is the expression of the user. This, as the user communicates is conditional on his value and the Association is subject to the behavior. The evaluation is as “processor” in the system of knowledge. Received the information entering the consciousness, where it is periodically reviewed and stored in memory, sparked the proceedings. If it is on the user to influence the targeted impact centered values. As it is formed by new media businesses and where ad valorem understanding of user space? Which aspects of the design are the ones with the strongest, and the extent to which they can stimulate the human behavior, whether the real target? Can the cultural evolution of higher ethical values gain a direction and momentum of its own and completely replace genetic evolution? E. O. Wilson. The work consists of six parts. Introduction of work effort to pull readers into the issues of the current design has, thanks to the information revolution and technological development of different spheres of life, and the more extreme fast expands to be reflected in the man in our society and socialization. The second part of the work describes the Current status of the issue — indeed, in which the users are design reflects and analyzes studies that deal with similar issues. In the next section to work more precisely specifies the Objective and the issue of its research. Puts you in the role of clarifying which aspects of the dynamic communication between users and to enter into dialogue — in direct support of its expression design. What is the rate of the design for the user is looking for, and what stimulates his subconscious targeted action. The fourth part of the work is devoted to the methodology of research already. Analyzing aspects of the communication between the user and entering into the design. Looking for an intuitive design and what is its secret hidden. Selective information and focuses on the elements that give a subconscious reaction to user the stimulant. The following part — the results of the work and the discussion of their application in the real environment, trying to confirm the facts observed. The theory is verified on two interesting examples (communications) of the design. In the first case of a design in a virtual environment-multilevel system, where exemplary redesign its function and form. In the second case, is dedicated to the curious communications design. An appropriate setting for these design aspects, acting, creating up to a surprisingly high value. Not only that, but a significantly positive effectively fills out the benefit of stimulating and active expression. Shows that the proper understanding of the context of the design, if understand its values — respect, supports the features and forms when designing or evaluating. Shows that good design can properly move with the human action. In the end, that the results of the work documented the efficiency of the work, summarize the aspects of the communication process between the design and the user input. There is also a suggestion that: “Let no longer will design, develop, however, will always be directed to the actual” real life “and its user. The stronger it is, the stronger the effect of transferred the human factor in the design of the decision taken by the user leaves.”

Interior design as an aspect of nonverbal communication: Pattern as an interior expression tool in the context of 20th century
Ing. arch. Barbora Obertová, ArtD.

Thesis examines the issues of development and movement of patterns in Europe during the 20th century. It researches patterns development and design factors arising from the need to change and preferences for particular types over the past century. It focuses primarily on large-scale interior fabrics and wallpaper. Using knowledge of the participating disciplines (history, physiology, psychology and sociology) identifies and explains the history of the pattern development, discusses the impact of other factors affecting the process of perception and interpretation of the pattern. Similarly, discusses the design principles of the pattern. In five chapters describe theoretical principles and knowledge of the topic (chapter 1-5), the research part of the thesis (chapters 6 and 7) develop and subsequently evaluate the modelling analysis of this thesis, according to analyse, generates hypotheses verified by two research studies.

Fine art, design and their connections
akad. soch. Josef Sládek, ArtD.

The search for connections between design and free artistic creation from a historical point of view, but mainly with emphasis on contemporary creation in all its forms. This work is focused on design growing in free art, the field of contemporary art using design, a summary of the findings from the contents of the courses Studio — Design I and II in the Institute of Machine and Industrial Design in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Brno University of Technology, and an overview of the best student projects from this studio in past years, with commentary for each individual work.

Technical management of historical buildings in the context of monument preservation and effective use
Ing. arch. Zuzana Grúňová, PhD.

The main theme of the thesis is a part of the broad issue of technical management — maintaining a good technical condition of the historic building as a basic condition for proper use, preservation and proper presentation of heritage values by means of the historic building operation & maintenance manual. In the introduction the author deals with definitions of terms (historical architecture …), which are incorporated in the following chapters. The need to propose a method of creating the historic building operation & maintenance manual (which is an aim and benefit of the thesis) is clearly shown, based on analysis of existing technical building management tools. Particular steps of the O&M manual creation process are analysed and reasoned from thorough knowledge of the building, cyclic inspections to ongoing maintenance. Further research directions, respectively tasks for practice are outlined mainly in the area of publication of information about historical architecture, in the area of education and ideas for legislation are also presented.

Interior design and its visual representation in the future
Ing. arch. Mária Piričová, ArtD.

Since its birth, from its initial periods such as the Ancient Egypt, up until now interior, as well as interior design or construction interior has gone through revolutionary changes. Nowadays the creation of interior spaces and design is without any limitations and borders. The timeless design, as once regarded, is becoming the design of today’s world and the future of our interiors can be found in older and current medias. Thus the change in the dispositional solutions of interior spaces is more or less expected. Nowadays, the timeless interior did not change only its look, but also its outlook on space as such. Consequently, it is expected that the interior and design will also change its look, shape and function.

Interior design for elderly: “Healthy” design in the process of making the interior
Ing. arch. Eva Králová, ArtD.

This article shortly discusses how to design housing for the elderly. It describes how the interior architectural design affects this particular social group with regard to social, psychological and health aspects. It shows that proper use of colour, light and design can create healthy and activity-provoking space, aimed to help the elderly people to feel comfortable. Cleverly designed space can help when decreasing level of physical and psychological skills would make elderly people feel uneasy. And it also shows us how the age is affecting the interaction of elderly and the space that surrounds them.

The social and cultural importance of urbanistic confrontations
Ing. arch. Viktor Malinovský, PhD.

The dissertation thesis looks at the theme of urbanistic confrontations or rather urban / architectural confrontations, where we understand the confrontation as competition, as a tool to obtain a superior quality of urban planning and architectural solutions. The thesis examines from different aspects the meaning of these confrontations in a concrete environment, looks at the need for confrontations, analyses the examples of urbanistic confrontations of the past in the territory of the former Czechoslovakia and contemporary Slovakia and at the base from these analyses defined the meaning of urbanistic confrontations for society and established criteria for an urbanistic or architectural competition.

  • PhD thesis approved in the study programme Urban Design at the Faculty of Architecture STU in Bratislava

Interior Design – limits of space: The impact of social events on interior and furniture design in the years 1950 to 1970
Ing. arch. Katarína Karsayová, ArtD.

From the very beginning of the history of mankind man tried to surround himself with things which fulfilled his practical and aesthetical requirements. However, mostly in the 20th century, with the beginning of mass production and by the increasing demand of the consumer society, design had become the true force on the market. In this paper we will study how social, cultural, political and technical aspects effected the design in decades following the World War II.

Material essence of architecture – new trends: Composite roof structures
Ing. arch. Andrej Maciak, PhD.

Most buildings are created and constructed from traditional materials — e.g. concrete or steel. But the future of architecture is in the man-made composites, which also include better-known materials like Fiberglass or Carbon fiber. They are increasingly used in industry and for consumer goods — in everything from space rackets to tennis rackets — because they are strong, lightweight, and easily molded into an almost endless variety of shapes. But they are slowly making their way into civil-engineering and architectural projects. Current development in architectural constructions supports the enlargement of the volume of internal spaces and slimming of structural elements. It happens under the influence of material development. New materials for roof structures are exceptionally promising. The PhD. thesis aims at detailed mapping of composite materials, high-tech materials and indication of their development and application in architecture. The thesis containing 6 author sheets (AS), 50 single pictures or composition of pictures, 10 diagrams, 10 schedules and 2 attachments. The thesis is divided into 8 chapters.

Conservation of historical monasteries in Slovakia
Ing. arch. Marek Šeregi, PhD.

The thesis aims to describe and characterize the current situation of the monastic architecture in Slovakia (i.e. structural conditions, inherent values, and above all, their current purpose and way of use) and explore its potentials for present-day use and sustainable preservation. Historical development of monasticism and its architecture in Slovakia are briefly introduced as a background and point of departure for an analysis of the current situation. The research identified all relevant preserved monastic structures and analysed the main issues in its current use. A model scheme is proposed to determine cultural values and characteristic features of the historical convents — employing the monasteries of Franciscan Orders as the typical local example. In the following part, the thesis examines issues of different current uses of monastic heritage and linked architectural interventions. A brief comparison with situation of the monastic heritage in the neighbouring countries is provided as well.

Interior design and the culture of communication in space: Affecting interpersonal communication through interior design
Ing. arch. Korina Krchniaková, ArtD.

This thesis brings to attention the subject of interpersonal communication and how to affect it through the means of interior design. Drawing information from various fields of study, for example Environmental Psychology, Rhetoric, Applied Psychology in Architecture and Behavioural Sociology it identifies and explains four basic approaches to change and promote human interaction in space. It briefly mentions selected types of spaces where communication is crucial in design. In seven chapters, it describes the theoretical approaches to the subject, synthesizes a visual aid for architects and designers — a table – and analytically examines two case studies describing the phenomenon.

Keywords: architectural heritage conservation, structures, architecture, design, urban design, dissertation thesis