Customer Reviews

Ice Palace That Melted Away: How Good Design Enhances Our Lives

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book doesn't discuss the "how's" of design, but rather the "why's". A question I'm always asking. He inspires the designer to restore quality to life using our best ammunition, Design. My favorite chapter was on his fight for the plain old brown bag. Why should we be a walking advertisement everytime we carry a bag? (or wear a t-shirt?) He entreats designers to recognize the social power they have and to respect that power. A great book!

The book is fabulous for all readers--5 stars are not enough-- yet you would be better served to seek the original hardcover. Its charming author sketches here are seen without detail-- almost blob-like in comparison on cheaper paper-- presumably to make this an affordable text resource for many design courses embracing Stumpf's philosophy. The price of fame...a not-too-civil service to either his high design standards or any readers who would appreciate original renderings. Sadly, the superb story-spinner author himself "melted away" this summer after enhancing so many of our lives!

A book on how we might live better and gain more enjoyment from life if we had more civil perspective in design. Many personal stories serve as background to the issues of good and bad design and how we interact with and use what we build. This quote from page 78 might sum up the definition of questionable design, "The sign at the exit ramp said REST STOP/NO FACILITIES,..."