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Design for People: Stories About How (and Why) We All Can Work Together to Make Things Better
Most design books focus on outcome rather than on process. Scott Stowell's "Design for People" is groundbreaking in its approach to design literature. Focusing on 12 design projects by Stowell's design firm, Open, the volume offers a sort of oral history as told by those involved with each project--designers, clients, interns, collaborators and those who interact with the finished product on a daily basis.
In addition to the case studies, the book features texts from influential figures in the design world, including writer Karrie Jacobs, founding editor-in-chief of "Dwell" magazine; plus contributions from Pierre Bernard, revolutionary French graphic artist and designer; Charles Harrison, pioneering industrial designer; Maira Kalman, artist and writer; Wynton Marsalis, composer and musician; Emily Pilloton, design activist and author of "Design Revolution"; and Alissa Walker, design writer and urban advocate.
In addition to the case studies, the book features texts from influential figures in the design world, including writer Karrie Jacobs, founding editor-in-chief of "Dwell" magazine; plus contributions from Pierre Bernard, revolutionary French graphic artist and designer; Charles Harrison, pioneering industrial designer; Maira Kalman, artist and writer; Wynton Marsalis, composer and musician; Emily Pilloton, design activist and author of "Design Revolution"; and Alissa Walker, design writer and urban advocate.
- GenresDesignNonfiction
256 pages, Paperback
Published January 26, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 24, 2018
Scott Stowell and his design team at Open are incredibly smart and create smart work for some incredible brands and projects. This book tells those stories with some interesting insights along the way directly from those that collaborated with Open throughout the years.
July 20, 2016
I had been anticipating Design for People for some time, and when I finally got my hands on it I devoured it in less than a week.
Design for People is indispensable for designers and civilians alike; seasoned graphic designers will find robust anecdotes about running a studio and putting work into the world, while to non-designers Design for People serves as an ambassador making the case for design's place in society.
“How” and “Why” are at the center of the book; where most design monographs are lacking in process, Scott Stowell’s is nothing but. Design for People comprises twelve projects from the history of Stowell’s studio, Open, and each is accompanied by its own oral history. The book’s editors interviewed nearly two hundred people, from designers to clients to users. Nothing is sugarcoated; Stowell and company speak candidly about challenges and frustrations, mistakes and disagreements.
Underneath it all, though, is a sense that the people involved were having the time of their lives. As we follow along with the process, each project’s end product feels like an inevitability, a natural result of the collaborative struggle that got us there. Reading Design For People is like getting to live through each of these projects and learning all of the lessons Open learned about pitching to clients, working within limitations, and venturing into the unknown.
Design for People is indispensable for designers and civilians alike; seasoned graphic designers will find robust anecdotes about running a studio and putting work into the world, while to non-designers Design for People serves as an ambassador making the case for design's place in society.
“How” and “Why” are at the center of the book; where most design monographs are lacking in process, Scott Stowell’s is nothing but. Design for People comprises twelve projects from the history of Stowell’s studio, Open, and each is accompanied by its own oral history. The book’s editors interviewed nearly two hundred people, from designers to clients to users. Nothing is sugarcoated; Stowell and company speak candidly about challenges and frustrations, mistakes and disagreements.
Underneath it all, though, is a sense that the people involved were having the time of their lives. As we follow along with the process, each project’s end product feels like an inevitability, a natural result of the collaborative struggle that got us there. Reading Design For People is like getting to live through each of these projects and learning all of the lessons Open learned about pitching to clients, working within limitations, and venturing into the unknown.
May 16, 2016
Damn you, Scott Stowell. This is the design career and monograph I wanted for myself. That is, if I was as good a designer.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews