The Design Factory (Art & Design Monographs (Paper)) [Paperback]

Alberto Alessi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 11, 1998 | ISBN-10: 1854903349 | ISBN-13: 978-1854903341 | Edition: 1

During the 1980s the Alessi company emerged at the forefront of design activity. Founded in 1921 to produce crafted products in metal for eating and drinking, Alberto Alessi launched the company into the design decade through his collaboration with designers and architects such as Sottsass, Sapper, Castiglioni and Mendini and the creation of two main trade marks: "Alessi", geared towards mass production and "Officina Alessi" towards more experimental limited editions. Alberto Alessi discusses the company's design ethos, viewing it as a research laboratory in the applied arts. Michael Graves and Alessandro Mendini provide their own personal views, as do many of the designers who have worked with Alessi. Daniel Weil writes from an academic point of view and Nonie Niesewand from that of a design editor. All the famous products are illustrated and many less well-known and unpublished material is also included. Following the rebuttal of the design decade, this book shows how Alessi flourishes and develops into the 1990s.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Alessi The Design Factory During the 1980s the Alessi company emerged at the fore-front of design activity. Founded in 1921 to produce crafted products in metal for eating and drinking. Alberto Alessi launched the company into the design decade through his unique collaboration with designers and architects such as Ettore Sottsass, Richard Sapper. Achille Castiglioni and Alessandro Mendini, and the creation of two main trade marks: 'Alessi', geared towards mass production and 'Officina Alessi' towards more experimental limited editions. Alberto Alessi discusses the company's design ethos, viewing it as a research laboratory in the Applied Arts, and in comprehensive extracts from the Alessi Factory Journal he provides valuable insights into the evolution of products and the relationships with their designers. Alessandro Mendini, Ettore Sottsass, Richard Sapper, Achille Castiglioni, Richard Meier, Hans Hollein and Andrea Branzi contribute statements on their work with Alessi, and there are essays by Michael Graves, Nonie Niesewand, Marco Migliari and Daniel Weil. All the famous products are fully illustrated as well as much less well-known and unpublished material. Following the rebuttal of the design decade, this book shows how Alessi flourishes and develops into the 1990s. Art & Design Monographs are a new series of publications concentrating on artists and designers of lasting interest and importance. Fully illustrated in colour, the Monographs contain expertly written commentaries on the careers and works of the individuals represented providing a richly visual and comprehensive critical study. Other Monographs include: Allen Jones Christopher Dresser Arthur Boyd at Bundanon

Product Details

• Paperback: 145 pages
• Publisher: Academy Press; 1 edition (February 11, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1854903349
• ISBN-13: 978-1854903341
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 9.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,962,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars very philosophical and abstract, January 25, 2003

By 

Robert J. Crawford (Balmette Talloires, France) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Design Factory (Art & Design Monographs (Paper)) (Paperback)

THis is a very difficult book to read, more for the professional designer and industrialist than for the lay reader curious about the company. I was astounded to learn that, behind the fabulous products this company creates, there is an entire philosophy: it references dadism and readymades, structuralism, and the Winnicott version of psychoanalysis (the company consciously seeks to creat "transition objects" that have deep emotional meanings for the consumers who like them)and that represents just a few of the influence. Much of that is very abstruce and admittedly over my head - I was reading the book in preparation for a writing project I am embarking upon on the company.

That being said, the images are fantastic and you get to know a lot about the company and the incredible family that founded and still manages it. It just isn't easy to read. Thus, I would recommend this book for those who want to know very deeply about this unique company, which is probably the best design firm for household goods in Europe if not the world. The book served my purposes as a professional, but I would never have gotten through it just for fun.