Books › Design as art
Design as art
First published 1971 · 223 pages
A playful, eye-opening invitation to see the hidden artistry in the mundane objects that shape our daily lives.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like taking a walk with a brilliantly observant friend who points out the hidden magic in everything from road signs to chairs. It is a brisk, playful, and deeply accessible exploration of how the visual world is constructed, stripping away the pretension of high art to celebrate the beauty of functional design. The prose is conversational and witty, inviting you to look closer at the mundane objects you usually ignore. The mood is endlessly curious and lighthearted, leaving you with a renewed sense of wonder. It is the perfect read for creatives, tinkerers, and anyone who wants to train their eye to see the everyday world as a canvas of intentional, joyful design.
- Mood
- curious
- inspiring
- lighthearted
- contemplative
- Tone
- playful
- insightful
- witty
- unpretentious
- conversational
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- beauty in the mundane · democratization of art · functional aesthetics · visual literacy · joyful observation
- The writing
- Clear, conversational, and witty, reading like an engaging chat with a brilliantly observant friend.
- The arc
- Moves from a passive acceptance of the everyday to an active, joyful curiosity about the designed world.
- Who it's for
- Creatives, designers, and curious observers who want to find magic and intention in ordinary objects.
About the book
How do we see the world around us? The Penguin on Design series includes the works of creative thinkers whose writings on art, design and the media have changed our vision forever. Bruno Munari was among the most inspirational designers of all time, described by Picasso as 'the new Leonardo'. Munari insisted that design be beautiful, functional and accessible, and this enlightening and highly entertaining book sets out his ideas about visual, graphic and industrial design and the role it plays in the objects we use everyday. Lamps, road signs, typography, posters, children's books, advertising, cars and chairs - these are just some of the subjects to which he turns his illuminating gaze.
Description from Open Library.
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