Eva Zeisel On Design [Hardcover]

Eva does not subscribe to the theory "newer is better." The artist/designer's observations "On Design," refined from years of experience in the world of art and product design, exhibit a warm attitude toward design along with a distaste for the modern movement she has seen develop since her birth in 1906.

Zeisel believes the modern movement focused too much on removing and simplifying. She discusses why the philosophy of `simplify, simplify,' and the expectation of modern designers to create a visual appearance entirely unique for each new product, has simultaneously increased novelty. "Our inherent belief in evolution has led to our appreciation of novelty. ... [Designers] often forget to tone down [a product's] over-interesting features, its novelty, because we ... want to show our skill." Creating products void of character, personality, and warmth is something Zeisel wants future designers to avoid.

Zeisel's reflection on evolution leading to appreciation of novelty is as applicable to 24 hour news channels as to the design of objects. Eva hopes the 21st century will bring beauty, harmony, loveliness, and elegance to design, qualities she believes were not aims of the 20th century's modern movement.

The book itself is well done. The 169 full-color and 75 black-and-white photos, the focus of the book, are printed cleanly and driven by a nicely flowing narration. There is no shortage of photos depicting Eva's creations, but there are even more pictures of objects that are Eva's inspirations or examples of ideas. One particularly jarring photo shows what the Chrysler Building may have looked like without the proper attention given to its structure. Other photos bring in many diverse inspirations to Zeisel, including Roman aqueducts, Japanese courtyards, 15th century toys, and modern sculpture.

Eva wants designers to take their job seriously but still carry whimsy. "The control and articulation of line and surface doesn't give a sensuous physical pleasure like molding clay, but it requires disciplined articulation" between maker and object. She entreats her fellow designers to "not overvalue the lines we first sketch when developing our ideas. Play with them to articulate what we want to say, clearly and beautifully."

Eva's "On Design" contains wonderful insight into design along with many beautiful photos. The variety of design topics will make a good, quick casual read for anyone who appreciates thoughtful art and design, especially from one of the most time-tested designers in the world.

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