Customer Reviews

Bright Minds Beautiful Ideas

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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.

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.