« Ads We Love: Pac-Man Puppet Show | Main | "I suspect... the Auto Industry, in the Conservatory, with the Wrench." »
26 June 2006
For the collection: Phaidon Design Classics

I admit it: When I first saw the reviews for Phaidon Design Classics, I was hoping this authoritative 3-volume set would turn out to be over-rated. I live in New York, I have a book-buying problem, and I just don't have the room for yet another "essential" reference. But it looks like I'll be clearing some shelf space ... these enormous yellow volumes are not only useful, but utterly delightful. The 999 entries cover everything from the chopstick to the Atari joystick, beautifully tracing the evolution of design from the 1600s on. The appeal here lies not only in the definitive selection of objects, but also in the curation of images, which incorporate standard product shots as well as blueprints, patents, drawings and vintage ads for products from vacuum cleaners to Volkswagens. The only downside, ironically, is the design. The books come encased in an unwieldy and impenetrable exoskeleton, which photographs well, but fails to function as either a carrying case or a display.
TrackBack
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference For the collection: Phaidon Design Classics:
It's really all in the Design! from
Aesthetics are very important for me. It's for this very simple reason: If you think it is going to serve of any value, or you see it to be of value, then it just has to be presented properly. Function... More...
Discuss this Blog Post
Loading Comments... 

Become a Fan of TED
on Facebook

Follow TED on Twitter:
@TEDNews | @TEDTalks

Subscribe to TED RSS feeds:
TED Blog | More RSS Options
Recent Comments
BobStuart on What positive psychology can help you become: Martin Seligman on TED.com
KrishnaBaalu on East vs. West -- the myths that mystify: Devdutt Pattanaik on TED.com
doorhanger on LHC back in action
doorhanger on LHC back in action
BiG007BosS on Meet Anwar Dafa-Alla, TED translator
jzurawell on LHC back in action
abhijitchauhan on East vs. West -- the myths that mystify: Devdutt Pattanaik on TED.com
CassieZ on Jim Fallon on CBS' Criminal Minds tonight!
satyadev on The thrilling potential of SixthSense technology: Pranav Mistry on TED.com
Restlesswriter on TED loves classical music
News from TED
Learn about TEDIndia conference >>
Find all our posts about TEDGlobal 2009 >>
Follow the TED Fellows blog >>
Throw your own TED-style event with TEDx >>
TED takeaway
TED ringtones:
TEDTalks Classic tune in [mp3] [m4r]
TEDTalks Phase II tune in [mp3] [m4r]
Subscribe to TED's weekly newsletter
Get the latest news on the TED Prize on TEDPrize.org >>
Archives
TED Bloggers
Chris Anderson | Curator
June Cohen | Director of TED Media
Amy Novogratz | TED Prize Director
Tom Rielly | Community
Bruno Giussani | TED European Director
Jason Wishnow | Director, Film + Video
Emily McManus | Editor, TED.com
Matthew Trost | Assistant Editor, TED.com
Shanna Carpenter | Writer and Community Organizer, TED.com
Diego Rodriguez | Guestblogger
Jane Wulf | TED Scribe
Blogs we watch
+ TEDPrize.org
+ TED Fellows blog
+ Thomas Dolby | TED Musical Director, blogging at ThomasDolby.com
+ Emeka Okafor | TEDAfrica Director, blogging at Timbuktu Chronicles and Africa Unchained
+ The indispensable Global Voices
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Powered by Movable Type






