Function or Beauty? – The dilemmas of design in the 21st century

Function or Beauty? – The dilemmas of design in the 21st century

„We appreciate beautiful things not for their utility only, but also for what they are in themselves—or more plausibly, for how they appear in themselves.”
                                                                                                                                Roger Scruton

For Scruton, the role of everyday beauty was a crucial topic. He believed that people have a universal need for beauty.

This roundtable discussion explores how designers balance practicality and aesthetics when shaping our everyday environment – especially through objects such as vehicles and buildings. What are the expectations of today’s consumer? How do form and function compete or cooperate? What influences designers in the 21st century, and where do we draw the line between usefulness and beauty?

Guest speakers:

Michael Severance – Philosopher and Director of the Acton Institute in Rome, focusing on the intersection of beauty and innovation
Dániel Ruppert – Head of the Mobility Design Lab and Lecturer at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design
Gabriele Aroni – Senior Lecturer, School of Digital Arts | Manchester Metropolitan University

Join us for a timely and inspiring conversation on why beauty still matters.

Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 18:00
Venue: Scruton Salon (1061 Budapest, Andrássy út 6., 1st floor, Doorbell 3)

Registration:

The event is free of charge, but due to the limited number of participants, please register in advance! Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Guests are kindly requested to arrive at least 10-15 minutes before the start of the programme!
Pictures and sound recordings may be made at the event and may be used for advertising and documentation purposes!
For any questions or if you are unable to attend the event, please contact [email protected]!