Design: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)

by John Heskett (Author) "One of the most curious features of the modern world is the manner is which design has been widely transformed into something banal and inconsequential..." (more)
Key Phrases: United Kingdom, Second World War, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
`Review from previous edition 'Erudite and well-researched...should be essential reading for students, educationalists, practising designers, industrialists and government.'' Terence Conran

Product Description
John Heskett wants to transform the way we think about design by showing how integral it is to our daily lives, from the spoon we use to eat our breakfast cereal, and the car we drive to work in, to the medical equipment used to save lives. Design combines "need" and "desire" in the form of a practical object that can also reflect the user's identity and aspirations through its form and decoration. This concise guide to contemporary design goes beyond style and taste to look at how different cultures and individuals personalize objects. Heskett also reveals how simple objects, such as a toothpick, can have their design modified to suit the specific cultural behavior in different countries. There are also fascinating insights into how major companies such as Nokia, Ford, and Sony approach design. Finally, Heskett gives us an exciting vision of what design can offer us in the future, showing in particular how it can humanize new technology.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192854461
• ISBN-13: 978-0192854469
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #290,481 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)