Masterpieces of Italian Design is an overview of the past two centuries in Italian design and manufacturing. This new title documents the 110 most pioneering designs to come out of Italy, and explains why, with stunning images (including rare archival photographs, illustrations and patent drawings) and explanatory texts.

Made in Italy has always been synonymous with quality and style. These peculiarities of Italian design are obvious in this volume, which recounts its history through the work of its designers. With the exception of masters of car design, not appearing in this volume, prominent designers for every historical period are presented, in descriptions detailing a synthesis of the project approach and a selection of the most significant products, by now considered veritable icons of contemporary design. Taking as its point of departure furnishings from Modern Architecture and the famous "Lettera 22" typewriter by Marcello Nizzoli, the volume dwells on some of the projects by great masters of Italian design, including Achille Castiglioni, Joe Colombo, Vico Magistretti, Bruno Munari, Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanuso. Also considered are those laboratories and studios that, in adhering to the Radical Design movement of the 1960s and '70s, proposed projects intended to surprise and disrupt. An entire chapter is dedicated to the protagonists of contemporary Italian industrial design, those capable of reading tendencies and translating them into objects, thus creating the new Italian style that would be exported throughout the world. And the volume closes with an international reference, highlighting the examples of certain foreign designers who were able - indeed, in Italy - to drive their own ideas to success. AUTHOR: DESIGN.DOC is a publishing services agency, conceives and produces complete editorial products for print and other media, for clients in design, furnishings, art, and architecture. The partners' diversity of experience comprises the unique character of the firm, which is devoted to a specialized yet transversal interpretation for every project. ILLUSTRATIONS: 242 colour photographs

"The story of Italian design, told through works selected from the collection of the museum of modern art, New York."--BOOK JACKET.

From M & Ms to Post–It Notes, a charming and insightful collection of design marvels from everyday life, celebrated by the curator of the MoMA's department of architecture and design. Every day we use dozens of tiny objects, from Post–It notes to Band–Aids. If they work well, chances are we do not pay them much attention. But although modest in size and price, some of these objects are true masterpieces of the art of design. Paola Antonelli, curator of the Museum of Modern Art's Department of Design and Architecture, is a highly celebrated figure in the world of design (she was just ranked among the top 100 most powerful people in the world of art). Paola has long been passionate about the subject of everyday objects that are marvels of design. The response to her recent MoMA show, also called Humble Masterpieces, was electric. In addition to lively coverage in dozens of publications, the museum goers spread the word about the fun of learning about and nominating their own picks for humble masterpieces. Now, in this colorful visual feast, Antonelli chooses 100 fabulous objects, from Chupa Chup lollipops to Legos to Chopsticks and Scotch tape. Each object will be portrayed with a gorgeous close–up detail, a brisk and informative text on its origin and special design features, as well as a silhouette image of the object as we see it each day. Certain to appeal to a broad audience, and to lend itself to fun, creative promotional opportunities, Humble Masterpieces will celebrate the possibility of looking at our everyday lives in an all–new way.

Full-page reproductions of drawings from the early 15th century to the end of the 18th century, all beautifully reproduced: Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Dürer, Fragonard, Urs Graf, Wouwerman, and many others.