Design The definitive visual history

*Starred Review* Published in association with the Smithsonian Institution, this volume is a comprehensive account of the evolution of design, from William Morris and Gustav Stickley to IKEA and Apple. The book situates the beginning of design as we know it in the mid-nineteenth century, with the development of mass-produced household goods. It takes a roughly chronological approach, with sections representing the major design movements of the period, from arts and crafts to contemporary. Each section begins with an overview of the movement, its major figures and important events, as well as a description of its primary themes or influences. For example, the section on art deco describes its incorporation of motifs from ancient Egyptian and Aztec civilizations, cubism, and jazz.DK's books are known for their clean layouts and high-quality images, and this volume doesn't disappoint. Each section consists of a series of two-page spreads focusing on a particular designer, company, product, or theme. The spreads employ minimal text for maximum effect in captions and call-outs that note important features or recurring motifs in the designed objects depicted. Where appropriate, sidebars provide biographical information, key events, and other useful context. A particularly nice touch is the Evolution of spreads interspersed throughout the book, which provide a visual time line of a particular object, from its origins to the present day, including chairs, vacuum cleaners, guitars, and bicycles. There is an illustrated glossary of terms, an alphabetical list of designers, and a detailed index. In addition, the What Is Design? section contains a primer on design principles, such as color, proportion, shape and form, and pattern and texture. Inexpensive, concise, and lavishly illustrated, this book is recommended for any library where patrons have an academic or personal interest in design.--Harmon, Lindsay Copyright 2015 Booklist