A brilliant exposé of the interaction between art, design, and commerce.
What is it that persuades us to camp outside Apple stores to be the first to buy an iPhone? Why is it that a generation ago a typewriter might have lasted someone a lifetime, but now we write on computers that we upgrade every couple of years to shinier, faster, sleeker models? Why do the clicks of some car doors sound “expensive”? Deyan Sudjic charts our relationship—both innocent and knowing—with all things designed. From the opulent excesses of the catwalk to the playfulness of an Alessi jam jar, he shows how we can be manipulated and seduced by our possessions. With scintillating wit he addresses these questions and more, exploring the reasons why every designer yearns to put a personal stamp on a chair or an adjustable lamp, and where design ends and art begins. 71 black-and-white and 5 color illustrations
The Language of Things
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Like geese force-fed grain until their livers explode, to make foie gras, we are a generation born to consume, says this witty commentary on rampant consumerism enabled by design innovation. Indeed, Sudjic (director of LondonÖs Design Museum and author of The Edifice Complex) says, consumer snobbery and design obsession can border on high-functioning autism. Writing almost conversationally, he explores how consumer engineering expanded the design process, inspiring the world to consume [its] way out of the Great Depressionand becoming the present marketing ideal. Luxury, fashion and art, says Sudjic,are the highlights of modern design, with fashion as the most developed form of built-in obsolescence—and consumers are willing to pay dearly for the impermanence. Brimming throughout with primarily British examples, pricing and language, SudjicÖs appreciation of first-rate design shows through his vivid descriptions of universally classic functional or aesthetically pleasing archetypes. Especially appealing to marketers and design connoisseurs, this is easily digestible for the average consumers interested in knowingly purchasing quality design for the senses—if they can still afford it in todayÖs economy. 71 b&w illus, 5 color illus. (June)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Deyan Sudjic is director of the Design Museum, London. He is the author of 100-Mile City and The Edifice Complex and the coauthor of The Architecture Pack.
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More About the Author
Deyan Sudjic is director of the Design Museum, London. He is the author of The Language of Things," "100-Mile City," and "The Edifice Complex." and the co-author of "The Architecture Pack."
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By John McSwain
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is one of the most comprehensible, intelligent, and clever books I've read in a long time.
Deyan Sudjic has an non-American perspective which is refreshing and presents a style devoid of capitalistic or consumerist undertones. Sudjic's statements are often quick and to the point and his citations from the works of prestigious designers and architects reinforce his perspectives. Sudjic cites John Berger's Ways of Seeing: Based on the BBC Television Series to support his assessments frequently and often. Sudjic identifies several attributes of design that seem to be overlooked or forgotten in modern products such as consistency, redundancy, and a lack of durability while proving that the product cycle of each new version of a device is too quick to ever foster a meaningful and lasting owner/object relationship. Overall, Sudjic does a great job of transposing design into commonly available forms and communicates what design is not.
I finished this in one day because I was enamored with it's brevity and precise thoughts. Sudjic's thoughts are clear and once you've completed this book, perhaps your thinking of what design is and isn't will be clear too....
Deyan Sudjic has an non-American perspective which is refreshing and presents a style devoid of capitalistic or consumerist undertones. Sudjic's statements are often quick and to the point and his citations from the works of prestigious designers and architects reinforce his perspectives. Sudjic cites John Berger's Ways of Seeing: Based on the BBC Television Series to support his assessments frequently and often. Sudjic identifies several attributes of design that seem to be overlooked or forgotten in modern products such as consistency, redundancy, and a lack of durability while proving that the product cycle of each new version of a device is too quick to ever foster a meaningful and lasting owner/object relationship. Overall, Sudjic does a great job of transposing design into commonly available forms and communicates what design is not.
I finished this in one day because I was enamored with it's brevity and precise thoughts. Sudjic's thoughts are clear and once you've completed this book, perhaps your thinking of what design is and isn't will be clear too....
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book is not perfect. That is not the point. The joy of reading the English language and the connection between thought, reason, and a simple appreciation for things of beauty provides the reader with a simply gorgeous journey. Kudos to the author for taking a particularly ethereal topic and giving it flesh and bones. To the gentleman from Texas, I am sorry you were looking for something to easily grasp and understand. I think you missed the point. The attempt to explain challenging topics with humility and tact should be applauded. Kind regards to one and all. M
2.0 out of 5 stars
Deyan Sudjic starts his book oblivious of the real world and in this book oblivious of the real world.
September 13, 2009
Format:Hardcover
I searched this book for some sort of social value or usefulness. Unfortunately with the exception of a few buzz words and concepts that are secondary to what he's trying to say, there is nothing of any meaning in this book.
The author Deyan Sudjic starts his dissertation with the complaint; he bought an Apple Computer because it was cute and fruity. Later he finds that the cute and fruity is not functional. So he buys an Apple because it's black and flat. Later he finds that the black and flat doesn't mean it's functional.
Throughout the book he cites other people that buy things because they're fruity or black and flat. He makes the point that people are duped into things because they're fruity or black and flat such as money, cars, lamps, clothing, and whatnot that they are usable. He suggests that people collect things because they're either kitsch or have nostalgic value or have some other elusive quality that is irrelevant to the function.
He wraps up the book written in late 2008 with "what depression?" Everything seems as though it costs just the same, everybody still buys just the same stuff, and who would ever dream of a car company shutting down for 30 days over Christmas. This goes to show that he is still living and a fruity, flat black world.
We learn nothing of any value from this book. Even his speculation that the red around the radiator a black car is based on the red dot on a Walther PP K is stretching it a bit.
Helvetica [Blu-ray] ~ Gary Hustwit
The author Deyan Sudjic starts his dissertation with the complaint; he bought an Apple Computer because it was cute and fruity. Later he finds that the cute and fruity is not functional. So he buys an Apple because it's black and flat. Later he finds that the black and flat doesn't mean it's functional.
Throughout the book he cites other people that buy things because they're fruity or black and flat. He makes the point that people are duped into things because they're fruity or black and flat such as money, cars, lamps, clothing, and whatnot that they are usable. He suggests that people collect things because they're either kitsch or have nostalgic value or have some other elusive quality that is irrelevant to the function.
He wraps up the book written in late 2008 with "what depression?" Everything seems as though it costs just the same, everybody still buys just the same stuff, and who would ever dream of a car company shutting down for 30 days over Christmas. This goes to show that he is still living and a fruity, flat black world.
We learn nothing of any value from this book. Even his speculation that the red around the radiator a black car is based on the red dot on a Walther PP K is stretching it a bit.
Helvetica [Blu-ray] ~ Gary Hustwit
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