A Century of Design: Design Pioneers of the 20th Century

by Penny Sparke

The 20th century has been unique in the history of art and design, uniting creative imaginations with hi-tech and mass-production methods. The result has been well designed products available to an unprecedented number of people. Many of these objecs have found their way into the world's finest museums, but even more beneficial has been their presence and common use in households around the world. This volume tells this fascinating story, combining the history of modern design movements with a chronological review of 80 top designers, from Otto Wagner at the end of the 19th century to Jasper Morrison, a young designer making an impact today. In between you'll find profiles of some of the most influential creative minds of the 20th century, including Frank Lloyd Wright, Walter Gropius, Eero Saarinen, and many others. The book is as beautiful to look at as it is exciting to read. It contains more than 580 full-color photos covering a wide range of objects that include furniture, glass, ceramics, metalware, industrial products, and household appliances.

Genres: Design

272 pages, Hardcover

First published August 3, 1998

About the author

Penelope Anne Sparke is a writer and academic who specializes in the history of design. She is a Professor of Design History at Kingston University, London, where she is also Director of the Modern Interiors Research Centre.

Sparke received her B.A. in French Literature and her P.G.C.E. in Education from Sussex University, and her Ph.D. in Design History from Brighton Polytechnic.