Product Description

This beautiful book is an exuberant manifesto defining the
design zeitgeist at the start of the twenty-first century, charting the
bewildering array of new movements and styles that have erupted over the
last few years.

It essentially sets the scene for a dramatic transformation in the way
design is perceived that will influence the objects and buildings that
surround us for years to come.

Lavishly illustrated with full-colour photographs, it presents over 200 of
the most important designs from the fields of architecture, interiors,
furniture, lighting, homeware, products, clothing and accessories, visual
communication and urban and landscape.

Each entry comes with an in-depth text explaining its significance and
giving details of the designer, concept, manufacturing method and
materials, as well as explaining how the building or design fits into the
contemporary design landscape. Every chapter is prefaced by an essay
setting out the key movements, designers and influences that are shaping
design in that particular sector.

Many of the objects and designers presented will be familiar to people with
an interest in design but there are also many surprises. International
figures such as Zaha Hadid, Marcel Wanders, Norman Foster, Tom Dixon and
Jasper Morrison are represented but so are up-and-coming talents including
Joris Laarman, Ora Ito, Maarten Baas and Ineke Hans.

The book is extremely accessible, demystifying design and explaining the
subject in layman's terms while covering trends such as iconic
architecture, the return to decoration, the crafts renaissance and rapid
prototyping.

The book, written by Marcus Fairs, features an exclusive foreword written
by leading international designer Marcel Wanders.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #206023 in Books
• Published on: 2006-10-02
• Binding: Hardcover
• 464 pages

Sunday Telegraph, 8 October 2006
"Marcus Fairs knows a thing or two about design"

Synopsis
"Twenty-first Century Design" is the a fascinating survey of the contemporary design landscape, guiding the reader through the intoxicating array of contemporary movements, styles and trends, and identifying today's leading designers, as well as future design classics. This pioneering publication places the contemporary scene in a historic framework and explores cultural and economic forces shaping design now and in the years to come. Accessible and engaging, it charts the incredible explosion of design worldwide and discusses cross-fertilization between design movements in what is rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting industries in the world.

From the Inside Flap
Design is no longer the passion of a wealthy elite. Today, good
design can be found in affordable brands that bring stylish products to
everyone, and Twenty-First Century Design embraces the emerging trends,
designers and key projects that are shaping our world and impacting on our
lifestyle.

The dawn of the twenty-first century has witnessed an explosion of
creativity in just about every field of design. There is a new spirit in
the air and in just a few years, the assumptions of the last century about
how things should look and function have been overturned by a new wave of
designers employing an astonishing variety of styles and approaches.
Architecture, furniture and product design are in the throes of a
revolution.

Meanwhile, the public's appetite for design is higher than ever before:
there has never been as much interest in the subject as there is today.
Right now, design is arguably the most exciting of all the creative
disciplines and this book is the essential guide to every aspect of
international design at the start of the twenty-first century.

Intelligently and provocatively written by the editor of icon magazine,
Marcus Fairs, Twenty-First Century Design places the contemporary scene in
a historic framework and explores the cultural and economic forces shaping
design now and in the future.

Marcus Fairs explains the vigorous debates under way in - and between -
different areas of design in a way that is accessible and engaging, and
looks at both the avant-garde and mass-market ends of the design spectrum.

Stunning full-colour photographs illustrate over 200 of the most popular
and groundbreaking "future classics" of design, from architecture, urban
planning and interiors through lighting, furniture and homeware to products
and visual communication.

Customer Reviews

A must for any Design field lover!!!!
First of all i just want to say that i am so happy to get this book. At the beggining i was not sure if i should get it or not, specially because there was no reviews of this book before... But i am more than pleased to have this book now.
I am an Architecture student, but i have huge interest on all the design fields, like Interior, Product, Fashion, Furniture, Lighting and Visual communication Design, which this book covers it all and represents it so beautifully!
I believe that all the Design fields are related nowadays,Architectural building with clothing texture and a Tea/Coffee pot with Architectural design!
Gorgeous photographs and easy text. This book is worth every penny!(even more the Amazon prices)