Bright Minds Beautiful Ideas [Paperback]

Ed Annink (Author), Ineke Schwartz (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Gingko Press (June 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9063690622
• ISBN-13: 978-9063690625
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,816,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eames, January 12, 2005

By 

Jason Hose "Eames Dreamer" (Houston, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bright Minds Beautiful Ideas (Paperback)

This text is the latest printed material on the work of Charles and Ray Eames. With recent publications by Eames Demetrios and Vitra Design, this text provides a unique modern perspective of the Eames's work. I am a scholar of the Eames' work and this book has many never seen before photo's and illustrations of Charles and Ray. I highly reccomend this title for anyone who intends serious to pursue serious scholarship of Charles and Ray.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Socially Relevant Design, October 31, 2010

By 

c3leung (los angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bright Minds Beautiful Ideas (Paperback)

This book is not only for Eames enthusiasts, but for those interested in socially relevant design. It is a critique of current design, its over-emphasis on form, and its lack of social relevance - roots in actual social need versus just padding the pocketbooks of their manufacturers.

It covers how Eames created the fiberglass shell chair initially to bring affordable, well-designed products into the homes of all people. In his lifetime, he saw his own products become over-priced and lose sight of their original intention. The books includes a brilliant visual diagram (drawn by Eames) of how the needs of the design office, the client and society as a whole can have overlapping interests! And how in this overlap, design can work with conviction and enthusiasm.

It also covers the work of Marti Guixe, who focuses on designing solutions rather than products - hesitant to bring one more item into consumerist society. This is responsible design! Design can meet a need without costing society and the environment.

Designers have a lot to learn from this book. I know that this has inspired me, and given words to the dissatisfaction I felt while practicing graphic design over the last 10 years. 'Design' needs to be redefined in the context of social relevance and problem solving, one designer at a time.