Terence Conran on Design [Hardcover]

Terence Conran (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

Every single thing that has been made by man or woman has been designed. We are quick to recognise the designer's imprint in the cut of a couture dress, in the outline of a landmark building or in the shape of the latest motor car. Less visible are those designers who shape and fill our daily lives with everything from the paperclip to the personal stereo, the flatpack shelving unit to the supermarket label. In fact, design is all around us, but we very rarely notice it. In this book, Terence Conran makes us open our eyes and address the ways in which we encounter and relate to design on a daily basis. A fascinating text full of information and anecdote, along with stimulating photography, makes this book an indispensable reference book for all those interested in the subject.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

British designer Terence Conran runs from the ivory tower of much contemporary art and design criticism. Instead of employing impenetrable terms and the doublespeak found in many a dense, academic work of criticism, Conran attempts to understand for himself and convey to the reader why he finds certain objects pleasing--why, for example, he likes to look at some objects and colors but disdains others. He concedes that just because he likes something doesn't mean it's in good taste, but his observations and opinions are well reasoned and fun to read. Design is filled with both his writing and rich color photos of objects ranging from handbags to suspension bridges, tennis balls to traffic signs, blue jeans to restaurant interiors. In Conran's view, not even the ubiquitous paper clip is too mundane to consider. His insight into the design of our world--from the toothbrush we use in the mornings to the computer keyboard many of us work on all day--is lively and enlightening.

From Booklist

Terence Conran (prefaced by "Sir" by those who revere the order of knighthood) is once again larger than life. Without the smallest puff on his oh-so-trendy cigar, the self-professed doyen of design delivers his opinion on just about every particle that touches our lives, not simply on home furnishings. His universe embraces the world; design, to him, should be examined both at home and outdoors, while eating or moving, during relaxation and work. The usual suspects are held up for view: Coco Chanel, Frank Lloyd Wright, the Apple computer icons, the work of industrial designer Raymond Loewy, among many others. The prose, though occasionally pretentious, does flow; sometimes readers will catch themselves nodding at such sentences as "New media create new visual language." And, naturally, the graphic design amazes, astounds, and impresses. Barbara Jacobs

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Overlook Hardcover (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879516860
• ISBN-13: 978-0879516864
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.5 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #770,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #17 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Expert Advice > Terence Conran

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Fabulous, January 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Terence Conran on Design (Hardcover)

This book is a dream! It highlights so many intriguing items. An impressive aray of astounding photographs and incredibly briliant text. This book reflects the author's genius ten fold.