When Design Really Works

Design is something that many of us rarely think about, yet it pervades every aspect of our lives from the clothes we wear to the simple items we use every day, like the spoon and toothbrush. When Design Really Works takes a deeper look at the objects that enrich our lives through the examination of 80 classic designs that have stood the test of time through the centuries. Selected by the expert eye of distinguished art and design historian Susie Hodge, the entries in this book include stunning, full-color images and fascinating analysis of: The Polaroid camera The stiletto shoe The Zippo lighter The Coca-Cola contour glass bottle The safety pin Divided into ten categories--from beauty and communication to convenience and expression--the defining qualities of each design is dissected to draw the reader's attention to the aspects that have made it so successful for so long. Biographies of the featured designers, including locations of their key works, round out this compact yet comprehensive guide.