Revival and Reform

In considering design, revival is the resurgence of a previously explored idea of expression. Mainly a stylized rendition but keeping a consistency of the elements prominent in the style being reiterated. An example would be the United States' first "national style" that consists of Grecian elements. This is known as the Grecian revival. In terms of reform in the design world, it constitutes an entire shift in ideas for expressive taste. This usually, from what I can tell, is the result of a type of reform in society in general.

From a designer's perspective, reform is necessary when there is a drastic change in societal values and traditions. An example of a change in values, you have a former warring state in a country and you delineate those views by changing anything associated with that time period, including design, because designers help to form societal values and give reflection of them as well.

With the advent of technological advances and trade in the world as a whole, reform in traditions was inevitable. Some designers tried to deviate from the dehumanizing connotations of a technologically advanced world, but mass production created economic stimulus, and designers would have to catch up with the gravy train in the early 20th eventually.

In terms of design in reformation, technology helped to diversify design freedoms such as curvilinear contours and polished surfaces, but more importantly, this gave designers more freedom to make waves in design and accommodate the massive consumerism mentality of the early 20th century. This meant more simplistic designs, and drastic changes to styles around the world.