This handy, pocket-sized book covers the history of design, from the 18th century to postmodernism, from Shaker furniture to the international style. It includes work by the worlds's most important designers from William Morris to Ettore Sottsass and from Peter Behrens to Philippe Starck. It also illustrates and explains the various theories and styles, such as Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, Art Deco, functionalism and postmodernism. With a directory of design museums throughout the world, a timeline of design history, a glossary and thumbnail biographies of major designers, this book is indispensable for all those interested in design.

Not available in the USA and Canada.

Thomas Hauffe studied at the University of Bochum, where he wrote a thesis on the New German Design movement of the 1980s. He now works as an editor of books on art and art history.