Design: The Definitive Visual History

Wonderful book, with hundreds of wonderful pictures and marvellous products. Very thoughtful selection, with some remarkable items not yet seen anywhere else. High quality photographs and reproductions. It is large sized, luxuriant, and copious. Thanks to the editors for making this gem available to the design community. Very best regards to all from Brazil...! Claudio

Best book I have ever seen on the design of an extraordinarily wide range of works from 1850 to the present! Extraordinary photos, wonderful biographies of key designers, clear and intelligent grouping of works into eras and styles. Awesome diversity, including almost every aspect of items shaping our lives: furniture, lights, appliances, tableware, transportation, decorative pottery, cameras, clocks, fabrics, wallpaper, posters, typewriters, jewelry, radios, coffee/tea kettles, and on and on seemingly endlessly. All are clearly documented by time and designer, with a wonderful separate A to Z compendium of designer biographies at the very end of the book. If you like design of everyday objects, you will love this book.

I love this book! It is much larger than I anticipated and after opening it, I couldn’t put it down. So many fabulous pictures of beautifully designed home goods, electronics, etc. and the evolution of those designs. I will go back and read it as well now that I have browsed the pics on every page. Fast shipping and very nicely packaged as well. Thank you!

The dates on some of these movements are a bit off. Art Deco is a very French style - it originated in France around 1909 - yet much of the Art Deco section is dominated by the German inspired streamline design which was promoted heavily by American Designers. Also the dates 1919 - 1939 should be 1909 or 1910 - 1939. Alastair Duncan's book "Art Deco furniture" describe this perfectly - " The First World War is generally seen to be the dividing line between Art Nouveau and Art Deco furniture styles, but the latter was in fact conceived in the pre - war transitional years of 1905 to 1910. Many furniture pieces accepted as pure Art Deco - especially pieces by Gray, Ruhlmann, Iribe and Follot- were designed before the outbreak of the war (WW1).... The movement cannot therefore be rigidly defined within the years 1920 and 1930, as it usually is. Its inception was earlier as was its decline". Also 1880 is a bit too early for Art Nouveau - it wasn't a unified movement till the early 1890s . Better dates to describe mid century modern would be 1945 to 1965, ending it at 1960 is too early. I know it's not an in depth book , but I think these dates - especially for Art Deco - are very important in terms of understanding these movements or styles.

This is truly a beautiful visual history of design. The book touches on all phases of design with brief informative narratives for each genre and high-quality photographs. I purchased this as a graduation gift for a student of design, but it's so interesting, I will buy a copy for our household too. Highly recommend!

Beautiful, well put together book. Larger than I expected, this is a coffee table book. I don't think anyone would be disappointed in this book either for themselves or received as a gift. It's very informative and absorbing to look at. Highly recommend.

The book is so well organized and pictures are delightful! Definitely a must for anyone interested in the history of design. Most enjoyable coffee table book.

Great book

One of the best generalist books on design I've ever come across. Get it out from your local library to see what I mean, and then buy yourself one, or ask someone for it as a birthday/Christmas present. It would be great if everyone in their teens could have one, it's inspiring.

Needed this for a jewellery project. Had to design a ring based on 60s design. This book was ideal. It is broken up into a couple or decades at a time however each image has a year beside it so you know exactly when it was made. Also the book is crammed with content. I'm sure I will be referring to this again in the future.

Greenspirit books sold this to me and the customer service was fabulous. The book arrived in great condition, as advertised.The book is beautiful, and perfect for those interested or studying design that want a broad introduction to the topic. Lots of excellent photographs.

Excellent covers history of design from 1850 onwards with excellent illustrations a classic DK Book always well illustrated and informative. One of my children is wanting to be a designer lots of inspirational ideas here.

What a fascinating and visually appealing coffee table book. A must for people who appreciate the history of design. Arrived promptly and well packaged. Would highly recommend.