50 greatest designers

Author: Tom May
Pages: 208

Discover the 50 greatest designers and their incredible achievements in this spectacular hardback guide, richly illustrated with full-colour images throughout.

Selected by award-winning design journalist, Tom May, this beautifully illustrated book examines the achievements of 50 of history’s greatest designers: the men and women who have influenced the way we live by creating everything from furniture to household goods and decorative objects to cars and motorbikes, airplanes, signage, sports equipment and much more.

These inspiring personal stories provide a fascinating overview of design history: the ways that style has married with technical innovation; how historical contexts have fuelled design choices; and what role design plays as we try to move away from excessive consumerism towards a more sustainable future.

Featured designers include:

William Morris: English textile designer and key figure in the Arts and Crafts movement

Gunta Stölzl: German textile artist and one of the most outstanding members of the Bauhaus.
Eileen Gray: Irish architect, furniture designer, and pioneer of the Modern Movement in Architecture
Charles and Ray Eames: Married couple, most famous for their iconic Eames chairs
Art Sims: African-American graphic designer, best-known for his film posters such as for Spike Lee’s movies such as “Do the Right Thing” and “Malcolm X”.
James Dyson: British industrial designer and inventor of the bagless vacuum cleaner
Perceptive and informative, this guide makes a fascinating introduction to the way design has become such an integral part of what we are and do.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The 50 Greatest series brings together highly visual reference guides, each exploring 50 of the most influential figures across a certain discipline. These rich biographical profiles outline their key achievements, influences and impact on the industry, accompanied by stunning full-colour photography.