Look of the Century: Design Icons of the 20th Century

by Michael Tambini, D.K. Publishing

A visual history of twentieth-century art and design ranges from the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright to contemporary corporate logos and provides extensive information on the century's leading designers, art movements, artists, and trends. Original.

Genres: Design, Art, History, Nonfiction, Fashion

Paperback

First published June 28, 1996

Reviews

[Karen Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this from a secondhand book fair and I think if I were to see this book in person at its original price, I probably won't buy it. It's not a bad book at all but I thought it would carry more familiar or famous items that I myself would recognize. Out of all of the items, I probably only saw a few I recognized so I don't really know how it could be classified as the look of the century. Still, I got this at a good price and I think it's a nice addition to my bookshelf and it taught me about more obscure items lost in history.

It's a really gorgeous book with lots of full colour photographs and its compact size makes it fun to carry around but still not something I would consider falling asleep with because its weight might literally crush my face. 😅 Overall, I found this to be a fascinating insight into design icons throughout the ages. It stops at the 90s but it's still a fun insight into how household items have evolved, from the humble typewriter to the Apple Macintosh. Some items are less interesting to me than others while others were very interesting. I particularly liked the sections about teacups, chair, lighting, stationeries, fonts, advertising and food packaging. This book would make a lovely coffee table book or a conversation starter.

If I could choose just one item from the catalogue of iconic and beautifully designed items that represented their respective centuries, I'd choose the Moon Tea Set (1997) designed by British designer, Jasper Morrison for Rosenthal. Its minimalist, rounded look gets me everytime.

[Meikoningin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it in English. Reviewed on FB.
The Look of the Century is an encyclopedia of one hundred years of style and design. It is more or less a crash course in everything the designers in the twentieth century were capable of developing when they put their creative minds to it. The book is an attractively designed compendium about the items found in Western households over the past hundred years. Right now we get excited by technological novelties but nostalgic for the familiarity of designed household items from the past.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It was given to me when I was about 10. I would spend hours obsessively absorbing every detail of the book. It painstakingly explores details of design of the 20th century. From fashion, of men, women and children, products, household appliances and even things as mundane as toothbrushes and staplers. A must for any person with even a slight bent towards art and design.

[The Bookish Wombat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book illustrating how design developed throughout the 20th century. It looks at all kinds of items including fashion, household goods, consumer electronics and vehicles. Well worth a look.

[Margot · Rating 4 out of 5]

FASCINATING! This book chronicles the evolution of design throughout the 1900's.

[kenzimone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even I, who don't give a whit about design history, thought this book was interesting.

[Parker Oakleaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to look at old couches and furniture from old times. Right now I'm reading about couches from 1959.