Twentieth-Century Design (Oxford History of Art) [Paperback]

Jonathan M. Woodham (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0192842048 | ISBN-13: 978-0192842046 | Publication Date: May 8, 1997

The most famous designs of the twentieth century are not those in museums, but in the marketplace. The Coca-Cola bottle and McDonald's logo are known the world over and may tell us more about our culture than a narrowly-defined canon of classics. One of the world's foremost design historians, Jonathan Woodham takes a fresh look at the wider issues of design and industrial culture throughout Europe, Scandinavia, North America, and the Far East. Drawing on the most up-to-date scholarship, he explores themes such as national identity, the "Americanization" of ideology and business methods, the rise of multi-nationals, Pop and Postmodernism, and contemporary ideas of nostalgia and heritage. Woodham sets the proliferation of everyday design against the writing of critics as diverse as Nikolaus Pevsner, the champion of Modernism, and Vance Packard, author of The Hidden Persuaders. The history which emerges is clearly seen for what it is: the powerful and complex expression of aesthetic, social, economic, political, and technological forces.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

One of the first six volumes of the new Oxford series, this is a useful and concise summary of 20th-century design in both the Western industrialized world and the Far East. Woodham (history of design, Univ. of Brighton) freely admits that some influences, such as multiculturalism, perestroika, and the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, have been omitted in hopes that this will enhance future studies in these areas. The work reads like a global who's who of designers, architects, cultural and national design organizations, and corporate icons. Each of the ten chapters focuses on a component of design, such as modernism, consumerism, reconstruction after World War II, nostalgia and heritage, and social responsibility. The illustrations fit the text and reflect classic design examples. Woodham successfully highlights design as a powerful marketing tool that has captured the international consumer through culture, socioeconomics, politics, and technology. Highly recommended.?Stephen Allan Patrick, East Tenn. State Univ. Lib., Johnson City
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Woodham gives a deftly organised, extremely cool-headed account of the ideological spoon-fights behind the product ranges of modern capitalism: his range of reference and eye for detail are superb."-- The Guardian

"For a good general introduction to the subject you could not go very far wrong with Jonathan Woodham's excellent Twentieth Century Design ... Yet another example of the impressive new Oxford History of Art series."-- The Bookseller

An excellent framework for understanding the development of design in this century ... destined to become the standard in this field."--Dennis Doordan, University of Notre Dame

"Clearly written, well illustrated ... introduces the reader to new approaches to design history."--Pat Kirkham, Bard Graduate Center

"The most complete introduction to date."--Paul Greenhaigh, Victoria & Albert Museum

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192842048
• ISBN-13: 978-0192842046
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "New" design history, August 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Twentieth-Century Design (Oxford History of Art) (Paperback)

Since Hesketts "Industrial Design" from 1990, this is the best comprehensive introduction to the "new" Design History view on the parallel histories of design developments in this century.

It takes a relatively non-heroic attitude towards celebrated designers and design classics while trying to locate the meaning of design products in mass culture, lifestyles, corporations and consumption spheres instead of the designers "creative mind.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice overview of 20th century design, September 14, 2010

By 

L. Schattman "Librarian, Design Institute of ... (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Twentieth-Century Design (Oxford History of Art) (Paperback)

Each title in the Oxford History of Art series provides an overview to a particular time period, style or movement. This book focuses on 20th century design, including the design of interiors, furniture, textiles, graphics, and consumer goods from teapots to automobiles. The author describes the historical context at the beginning of the 20th century, as the industrial revolution changed the way things were made and used. He traces the development of different styles, from Arts & Crafts to post-modernism. A final chapter on social responsibility traces the ways in which designers have responded to consumer concerns throughout the century.

This book is generously illustrated, with many color images complementing the period black-and-white photographs and line drawings. It is a sturdy paperback with a strong binding. It would be useful to undergraduate students researching 20th century design, as well as general readers interested in the subject.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, Good conditions, October 29, 2010

By 

siller44 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Twentieth-Century Design (Oxford History of Art) (Paperback)

I love the book. It's full of usefull Knowledge and information.
I recieved the book in great conditions