Art and artistic tendencies have affected design in all its various forms since the birth of civilisation. Early vases were designed to be aesthetically pleasing as they would be on display filled with wine at gatherings. Early architecture was not only practical but also was designed to inspire and instill fear in enemies.

Design whether in architecture, home furnishing or infrastructure will continue to draw inspiration from artistic movements. Architecture is one of the easiest ways to distinguish when a building was built. The Victorians had their own style as did the Edwardians. The 1970s in the UK was festooned with ugly but practical buildings. Barcelona as a city appears to be Gaudi's plaything with La Sagrada Familia his unfinished major.

Some designs remain in history as iconic images of an era or even of a country. Art often fails to capture the imagination in the same way as an iconic design. The red phone box designed by Giles Gilbert Scott is synonymous with London and England and tourists visiting the country will all have their picture taken whilst these phone boxes still last.

Scott was also responsible for Charterhouse School's Memorial Chapel which is the largest War Memorial in England. He also redesigned the Battersea Power Station which is one of the most iconic industrial buildings in London today. Scott also designed the Liverpool Cathedral and a host of other churches around the UK.

One of Scott's later pieces of work has come full circle. What was designed as the Bankside Power Station is now host to the Tate Modern art gallery.