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DDR Design 1949-1989
This eccentric collection of goods features East German consumer products daringly acquired before the breaking down of the wall. From foodstuffs to household appliances, East German packaging and product design--sober yet slightly kitsch--reveals a little-known side of German popular history.
- GenresDesign
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 6, 2020
I bought this book out of morbid curiousity since my mother spent a lot of time in East Germany when she was young.
A lot of the designs in this book really give you a window into the past, and give a great explanation (in many languages, German, French and English throughout the entire book) on what impact the DDR brands had and what happened with the after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
It is a very interesting book with many designs that a precise eye can connect to many package designs today. Other than being very informative, it was also a lot of fun to go through. A lot of the designs were dated for their age, but many of them can also be compared with designs that can be seen on supermarket shelves today.
I recommend this book, it was a lot of fun and very informative. I bought it pre-owned at a great price. My only complaint would be certain spelling errors.
A lot of the designs in this book really give you a window into the past, and give a great explanation (in many languages, German, French and English throughout the entire book) on what impact the DDR brands had and what happened with the after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
It is a very interesting book with many designs that a precise eye can connect to many package designs today. Other than being very informative, it was also a lot of fun to go through. A lot of the designs were dated for their age, but many of them can also be compared with designs that can be seen on supermarket shelves today.
I recommend this book, it was a lot of fun and very informative. I bought it pre-owned at a great price. My only complaint would be certain spelling errors.
April 17, 2021
Wunderschöne Sammlung von Bildern zur Formgestaltung von Alltagsgegenständen in der DDR. Hier und da hätten ein paar extra Informationen nicht geschadet. Einen Stern Abzug gibt's für die politisch und historisch vollkommen tendenziöse und dumme Einleitung, die in klassisch westdeutscher Überheblichkeit verfasst wurde.
Spoiler: Mindestens die Hälfte der Sachen im Buch ist deutlich ansehnlicher als der Mist, den ihre heutigen Pendants ausmachen.
Spoiler: Mindestens die Hälfte der Sachen im Buch ist deutlich ansehnlicher als der Mist, den ihre heutigen Pendants ausmachen.
July 31, 2018
Lovely photos but it's let down by the almost complete lack of an explanation of what you're looking at exactly.
Definitely not an essential buy but I got it 2nd hand and it's nice to have it sitting on my coffee table.
Bonus: 2 pages of Trabi's!
Definitely not an essential buy but I got it 2nd hand and it's nice to have it sitting on my coffee table.
Bonus: 2 pages of Trabi's!
October 24, 2017
A very interesting blast from GDR consumerist's past.
Will interest any ostalgie persons and kitsch admirers.
Too bad it lacks a few more details like brand names, release dates, etc...
Will interest any ostalgie persons and kitsch admirers.
Too bad it lacks a few more details like brand names, release dates, etc...
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews