 In the 2004 spring/summer issue of Men's Health's, "Best Life", writer Jim Gorant wrote an article about Pre-war Chris Craft boats.  The opening paragraph of his article has been committed to my memory since the first time I read it:
In the 2004 spring/summer issue of Men's Health's, "Best Life", writer Jim Gorant wrote an article about Pre-war Chris Craft boats.  The opening paragraph of his article has been committed to my memory since the first time I read it: "In modern design, the sublime often manifests itself in the exaggeration of a curve.  Dig, if  you will, the bend of an Eames chair, the fins of a '59 Cadillac, and J. Lo's best asset."
I love rules, or, at a minimum, default starting points.  The above comment is a great starting point.  I recently came across this video of the also above mentioned Eames chair, from the Draplin Design Co. weblog.  Spend some time there.
 
