As the Great Depression started in 1929, several dozen creative individuals from a variety of artistic fields, including theatre, advertising, graphics, fashion and furniture design, pioneered a new profession. Responding to unprecedented public and industry demand for new styles, these artists entered the industrial world during what was called the "Machine Age," to introduce "modern design" to the external appearance and form of mass-produced, functional, mechanical consumer products formerly not considered art. The popular designs by these "machine designers" increased sales and profits dramatically for manufacturers, which helped the economy to recover; established a new profession, industrial design; and within a decade, changed American products from mechanical monstrosities into sleek, modern forms expressive of the future. This book is about those industrial designers and how they founded, developed, educated and organized today's profession of more than 50,000 practitioners.

Describes the development of the design of manufactured goods and examines the interaction between the American culture and industrial design

Critical essays, with illustrations, of many of the artist's designs.

Classic, indispensable introduction to industrial design in the last century.

With the coming flood of connected products, many UX and interaction designers are looking into hardware design, a discipline largely unfamiliar to them. If you’re among those who want to blend digital and physical design concepts successfully, this practical book helps you explore seven long-standing principles of industrial design. Two present and former design directors at IDEO, the international design and innovation firm, use real-world examples to describe industrial designs that are sensorial, simple, enduring, playful, thoughtful, sustainable, and beautiful. You’ll learn how to approach, frame, and evaluate your designs as they extend beyond the screen and into the physical world. Sensorial: create experiences that fully engage our human senses Simple: design simple products that provide overall clarity in relation to their purpose Enduring: build products that wear well and live on as classics Playful: use playful design to go beyond functionality and create emotional connections Thoughtful: observe people’s struggles and anticipate their needs Sustainable: design products that reduce environmental impact Beautiful: elevate the experience of everyday products through beauty

From the first answering machine ("the electronic brain") and the Hoover vacuum cleaner to the SS Independence and the Bell telephone, the creations of Henry S. Dreyfuss have shaped the cultural landscape of the 20th century. Written in a robust, fresh style, this book offers an inviting mix of professional advice, case studies, and design history along with historical black-and-white photos and the author's whimsical drawings. In addition, the author's uncompromising commitment to public service, ethics, and design responsibility makes this masterful guide a timely read for today's designers.

This book documents the work of designer Brooks Stevens. It includes 250 illustrations of designs by Stevens and his firm, many in color, detailed studies of individual designs, interpretative essays, and several key writings by Stevens himself.