The nature and aesthetics of design

by David Pye

This is David Pyeâ s classic book on the theory of design. In it, he explores the many facets of good design, including the relationship of aesthetics with function.

Genres: Design, Art, Philosophy, Woodwork, Nonfiction, Architecture, Crafts

160 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Carl Gauger]

A treatise on the essential nature of design as a human activity, its relation to art, science, technics, form, function, aesthetics, and worksmanship. This is one of those books that is not very directly practical--in other words not a very modern book. I love books like that. Pye was a professor of furniture design at the British Royal College of Art. His discussion is wide-ranging and useful only in that deep sense of utility that comes from a thorough understanding rather than in the modern sense of "how to." What I mean to say is that it is the best kind of useful.

[Ted]

Holy crap. I honestly thought he had said everything ever worth saying, in "The Nature and Art of Workmanship," but no.

This is a new universe. I have to read it again.

[Patrick]

Same comments as for The Nature And Art Of Workmanship

[Bob Shadel]

A wonderful discussion of design...