Terence Conran on Design

by Terence Conran

British designer Terence Conran runs from the ivory tower of much contemporary art and design criticism. Instead of employing impenetrable terms and the doublespeak found in many a dense, academic work of criticism, Conran attempts to understand for himself and convey to the reader why he finds certain objects pleasing--why, for example, he likes to look at some objects and colors but disdains others. He concedes that just because he likes something doesn't mean it's in good taste, but his observations and opinions are well reasoned and fun to read. Design is filled with both his writing and rich color photos of objects ranging from handbags to suspension bridges, tennis balls to traffic signs, blue jeans to restaurant interiors. In Conran's view, not even the ubiquitous paper clip is too mundane to consider. His insight into the design of our world--from the toothbrush we use in the mornings to the computer keyboard many of us work on all day--is lively and enlightening.

Genres: Design, Art, Nonfiction, Art History, Architecture

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1996

About the author

Sir Terence Conran was educated at Bryanston School, Dorset, and trained as a textile designer at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. Hand in hand with his much-publicized career as an arbiter of good taste for a whole generation goes a career in cookery and restaurant management. Having learned the basic skills in the kitchens of a two-star Parisian establishment, he opened several small restaurants in London.These were later sold to finance his fast-expanding furniture business, from which grew the hugely successful Habitat stores. No-one has had a greater influence on contemporary living style than Conran. From the outset of his career, in the brilliant era of the '60s, he devoted his talents to interpreting the home-making aspirations of the bright, busy people of his generation - and to providing them with an excellence of craftsmanship and design at a price they could afford.