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The Thames & Hudson Dictionary of Design Since 1900, Second Edition
"A marvelous handbook for professional designers, students, or anyone with a curiosity about design." Ballast Quarterly Review This comprehensive guide embraces all aspects of modern graphics, products, interiors, furniture, and industrial and architectural design. Guy Julier examines not only the work of important designers worldwide but also the many dramatic changes that have influenced design and its uses in the twentieth century. Thus political and ideological concepts such as feminism and green design are defined and explained, as are new technological advances, new materials and techniques, and influential movements in modern culture. The text incorporates extensive cross-referencing and full bibliographical notes along with a chronological chart of design highlights since 1900. The revised edition features over sixty completely new entries that reflect three important developments in design and its discussiondigitization, sustainability, and brandingranging from Nintendo and The Body Shop to McDonald's and Levi's. 220 illustrations.
232 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 29, 2020
I was taken by the size of this book and the promise: “This comprehensive guide embraces all aspects of modern design: graphics, products, interiors, furniture, and industrial and architectural design.”
I opened the book and found “polyurethane.” It was just what I hoped it would be: “…created by the polymerization of urethanes by the reaction of isocyanates polyoils. The process was invented in 1937 by Otto Bayer but began to used industrially only in the mid-1950s….The material has the added advantage of being able to encapsulate and hold rigid any insert, such as a chair leg…unlike other thermoplastics…”
That is the good news.
On the other hand, this book isn’t as detailed or comprehensive as one might need. As another GR reviewed points out: “It omits Ettore Bugatti, Frank Gehry, Max Miedinger, Brooks Stevens, and one of the most important design movements since 1900, universal design…” Speaking of Bugatti, I found the few words on Porsche mis-focused and lacking. It was as if the company was only significant before 1950 and it doesn’t note that Porsche Design goes way beyond vehicles. Also, the coverage of Danish Modern furniture design is brief, almost to the point of non-existence.
It may be easy to find fault with a handy-size book trying to cover “design since 1900,” but I am sufficiently discouraged that it won’t find a place near my desk. 2.5*
I opened the book and found “polyurethane.” It was just what I hoped it would be: “…created by the polymerization of urethanes by the reaction of isocyanates polyoils. The process was invented in 1937 by Otto Bayer but began to used industrially only in the mid-1950s….The material has the added advantage of being able to encapsulate and hold rigid any insert, such as a chair leg…unlike other thermoplastics…”
That is the good news.
On the other hand, this book isn’t as detailed or comprehensive as one might need. As another GR reviewed points out: “It omits Ettore Bugatti, Frank Gehry, Max Miedinger, Brooks Stevens, and one of the most important design movements since 1900, universal design…” Speaking of Bugatti, I found the few words on Porsche mis-focused and lacking. It was as if the company was only significant before 1950 and it doesn’t note that Porsche Design goes way beyond vehicles. Also, the coverage of Danish Modern furniture design is brief, almost to the point of non-existence.
It may be easy to find fault with a handy-size book trying to cover “design since 1900,” but I am sufficiently discouraged that it won’t find a place near my desk. 2.5*
August 8, 2017
This is not a comprehensive guide. It omits Ettore Bugatti, Frank Gehry, Max Miedinger, Brooks Stevens, and one of the most important design movements since 1900, universal design (those curb cuts at intersections, the studded warning strips on railway platforms, the electric toothbrush, street and domestic ramps, and more -- all universal design). There is an article on design for disability, which universal design addresses, but the article doesn't mention universal design.
What is covered is covered competently and in some detail. But those are serious omissions.
What is covered is covered competently and in some detail. But those are serious omissions.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews