PHAIDON DESIGN CLASSICS is the first comprehensive and authoritative collection of classic design objects. This beautifully illustrated three-volume set of books presents 999 industrially manufactured products, carefully selected by a group of experts. It is the first definitive illustrated sourcebook on the evolution of design to include such a wide scope of objects in detail. 
From cars to furniture, from tableware to cameras, from everyday objects to airplanes, this breadth of design has never before been collected in such a way before. PHAIDON DESIGN CLASSICS tells the story of design’s evolution around the world from the late 1600's to the present, bringing together patents, prototypes, old advertisements, original drawings, images showing the process of manufacturing, as well as rare archival photographs. The anthology features an astonishing 4,000 images. 
The objects are presented chronologically, beginning with an elegant pair of Chinese bonsai scissors from the early 1600s, still in production today, and ending with Barber Osgerby’s Lunar bath accessories, destined to become a classic. Glancing through the volumes, the reader will gain an understanding not only of the history of design, but a history of taste and culture. The book is an extraordinary journey through the objects that have shaped our society, from the first attempts to combine function and beauty in the nineteenth century, through the machine aesthetics of the thirties, the advent of plastic and other new materials in the fifties and sixties, up to the classics-to-be of the last ten years. 
The book includes not only objects created by internationally renowned designers, such as Breuer, Le Corbusier, Dreyfuss, Eames, Yanagi and Castiglioni, but also anonymously designed pieces, such as the clothes peg, the corkscrew and the chopstick, which, in spite of lacking a specific designer, have achieved such perfection in design and functionality that they have eliminated the possibility of improvement. 
PHAIDON DESIGN CLASSICS is a laboriously selected examination of some of the world’s best products ever made, most of which are still in production. The objects truly encapsulate what design is and what it will be for decades to come. It is a key reference tool for the designer or architect, as well as a fascinating and accessible design history for the newcomer. 
The collection comes in a specifically commissioned carrying unit exclusively designed by Konstantin Gricic.

Phaidon Design Classics (3 Volume Set)

Arts & Photography

Alderson, Simon

Ball, Ralph

Barber, Edward

History & Criticism

Phaidon Press

A 'design classic' is an industrially manufactured object with timeless aesthetic value. It serves as a standard of its kind and, despite the year in which it was designed, is still up to date. The collection presented in these three volumes has been put together by a group of experts following the above criteria. The objects are presented chronologically, beginning with an elegant pair of Chinese bonsai scissors from the early 1800s, still in production today, and ending with Jasper Morrison's recent 'brunch set', which is destined to become a 'classic'. Glancing through the volumes, the reader will gain an understanding not only of the history of design, but a history of taste and culture. The book is an extraordinary journey through the objects that have shaped our society, from the first attempts to combine function and beauty in the nineteenth century, through the machine aesthetics of the thirties, the advent of plastic and other new materials in the fifties and sixties, up to the 'classics'-to-be of the last ten years.

Pioneers (Products From Phaidon Design Classics, Vol. 1)

Decorative Arts & Design

This book looks at the period after the Second World War, which was characterized by rapid reconstruction and modernization that spread throughout society and across social classes. Germany, Italy and Japan, thanks to financial assistance from the USA, increased the production and worldwide export of products that had already reached high standards in both design and technology. More and more manufacturers became conscious of the importance of good design, not only for products aimed at an elite cognoscenti but also those destined for the booming middle class. With so many products available and competition so high, designers were expected to make things easier to manufacture, use and distribute as well as more beautiful. Post-war housing was brighter and more spacious than ever before. Kitchens were fitted with modern appliances that made household chores easier and more enjoyable. Charles and Ray Eames, Jean Prouve, Arne Jacobsen and Alvar Aalto, among others, were commissioned to design furniture and appliances for the middle class home. Televisions, radios and telephones became commonplace and were designed to look stylish, to be left on display rather than being hidden away. Transport was becoming more sophisticated, with scooters, small cars and airplanes allowing people increased mobility. The universal desire for speed prompted designers to create some of the greatest sports cars ever.

Mass Production (Products From Phaidon Design Classics, Vol. 2)

This volume follows the development of product design from the late 1960s to the present. In the last forty years, industrial design has been radically changed by the introduction of a vast array of new technologies and materials. As commercial air travel enabled individuals access to more parts of the world and colour television brought the rest of the globe into people's living rooms, communication became an increasingly important part of everyday life, inspiring the rapid development of digital culture. This has served as both a provocation and an opportunity for a new generation of product designers who see design not only as the creation of beautiful, functional objects but also as a tool to remake every aspect of contemporary life. These products, designed with and for these new technologies, have changed the way we communicate, travel, and make ourselves at home in the twenty-first century. Digital design opened up an almost endless variety of forms that has been explored and refined by innovative designers such as Philippe Starck, Ron Arad, Marc Newson and Jonathan Ive, and digital production has enabled an entirely new level of precision in manufacturing.

New Technologies (Products From Phaidon Design Classics, Vol. 3)

The definitive monograph of internationally acclaimed designers ? creators of the Tip Ton and the 2012 Olympic Torch.
Collaborators for over 20 years, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby have applied their talents to everything from industrial design and furniture to lighting and installations. The most comprehensive survey of their work to date, this book offers a unique, 360-degree view of their approach and working methods. Stunning images explore their work thematically, while six essays provide an exclusive look into career-defining projects.

Barber Osgerby: Projects

Scholze, Jana

Osgerby, Jay

The first monograph on the work of Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, two of the most innovative industrial designers from Britain. The firm headed by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby has won numerous awards since its founding in 1996. Distinguished by clean, modern lines, BarberOsgerby engages in furniture and product design, as well as consumer electronics, architecture, and interiors, making their mark with technical craftsmanship, formal vigor, and inspired use of color. BarberOsgerby’s work includes iconic designs like the best-selling Tab Lamp (2008), and is part of permanent museum collections worldwide. Their portfolio ranges widely from accessible work to custom one-off pieces, including pews for a cathedral, hangers for Levi’s, and the brilliantly hued Iris Tables. Their work has been produced by manufacturers and clients such as Cappellini, Swarovski, Stella McCartney, and Coca-Cola. Featuring sketches, concept renderings, and compelling photographs, the book is organized thematically with an emphasis on materials and process, tracing the inspirations and working method of this unique design duo.

The Design Work of Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby

SUDJIC, DEYAN

Ryan, Zoë

Rizzoli

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