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Star Trek: Designing the Final Frontier: How Midcentury Modernism Shaped Our View of the Future
Celebrate Star Trek: The Original Series and the show’s distinctive Midcentury modern design that would change design– and television–forever.
Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969) was the first installment of one of the most successful and longest-running television franchises of all time. Today, Trek fans champion its writing, progressive social consciousness, and aesthetic. Designing the Final Frontier is a unique, expert look at the mid-century modern design that created and inspired that aesthetic. From Burke chairs to amorphous sculptures, from bright colors to futuristic frames, Star Trek TOS is bursting with mid-century modern furniture, art, and design elements—many of them bought directly from famous design showrooms.
Together, midcentury modern design experts Dan Chavkin and Brian McGuire have created an insider’s guide to the interior of original starship Enterprise and beyond, that is sure to attract Star Trek’s thriving global fan base.
Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969) was the first installment of one of the most successful and longest-running television franchises of all time. Today, Trek fans champion its writing, progressive social consciousness, and aesthetic. Designing the Final Frontier is a unique, expert look at the mid-century modern design that created and inspired that aesthetic. From Burke chairs to amorphous sculptures, from bright colors to futuristic frames, Star Trek TOS is bursting with mid-century modern furniture, art, and design elements—many of them bought directly from famous design showrooms.
Together, midcentury modern design experts Dan Chavkin and Brian McGuire have created an insider’s guide to the interior of original starship Enterprise and beyond, that is sure to attract Star Trek’s thriving global fan base.
168 pages, Hardcover
Published August 3, 2021
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94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 19, 2021
Two of my favorite interests are mid century modern design and Star Trek. How excited I was, then, that I found a book that explored how mid-century modern design defined Star Trek, and how Star Trek and its design influenced America?! Answer: extremely.
I’ve been obsessed with Star Trek my entire life, but for some reason never really paid attention to stuff like set design or props beyond a tricorder or a phaser. This book goes deep into how the sets made Star Trek look super futuristic, even though most of the furniture, artwork, and fashion came from commercial stores that sold to everyone. With its swooping curves and space-age philosophy, the 1960s were, in a design sense at least, all about the future in every way, shape, and form.
I liked learning about the designers and manufacturers behind these modern pieces, but I really loved seeing them in context. I also loved the chapter on brutalism and how this seemingly dystopian concept also helped shape the idea of a stark, but no less beautiful, future.
As long as Star Trek exists, even in just our memory, there is going to always be a new way to examine and talk about it. This book just really hit exactly my serotonin centers. At the end of the book, there are a few pages of ads for mid century furniture and they are so exciting and kitschy and interesting. No Googie stars, but lots of those arches and points I love so much. At the end of the book, the authors provide a catalog of pieces found on the show, along with the designer and which episodes the pieces are found in.
This is a very niche book, but I think it is exactly the sort of thing that a fan of both Star Trek and mid century modern design can get into easily. I have a book on monorails that I want to try right now, just to stay in this mindset.
I’ve been obsessed with Star Trek my entire life, but for some reason never really paid attention to stuff like set design or props beyond a tricorder or a phaser. This book goes deep into how the sets made Star Trek look super futuristic, even though most of the furniture, artwork, and fashion came from commercial stores that sold to everyone. With its swooping curves and space-age philosophy, the 1960s were, in a design sense at least, all about the future in every way, shape, and form.
I liked learning about the designers and manufacturers behind these modern pieces, but I really loved seeing them in context. I also loved the chapter on brutalism and how this seemingly dystopian concept also helped shape the idea of a stark, but no less beautiful, future.
As long as Star Trek exists, even in just our memory, there is going to always be a new way to examine and talk about it. This book just really hit exactly my serotonin centers. At the end of the book, there are a few pages of ads for mid century furniture and they are so exciting and kitschy and interesting. No Googie stars, but lots of those arches and points I love so much. At the end of the book, the authors provide a catalog of pieces found on the show, along with the designer and which episodes the pieces are found in.
This is a very niche book, but I think it is exactly the sort of thing that a fan of both Star Trek and mid century modern design can get into easily. I have a book on monorails that I want to try right now, just to stay in this mindset.
May 11, 2023
As a Trekkie and a fan of mid century mod, I loved this book! It’s a great coffee table book for the casual fan and a great read for a serious fan. There is an episode summary for each episode discussed, as well as information to find specific pieces if you want to purchase them. I loved the early concept and set sketches! I do wish it was a little more in depth and had interviews. Most of the content is drawn from simply watching the shows and then tracking down the pieces and not interviewing any surviving Star Trek designers and decorators. However, still a beautiful book and very enjoyable!
August 27, 2021
Can a book about furniture and design in Star Trek be entertaining? Surprisingly, the answer is yes!
January 3, 2022
A tribute to the set decorators, art directors, and prop masters of TOS, Designing the Final Frontier takes a detailed look at chairs, tables, lamps, and other off-the-shelf background items that helped establish the show’s “futuristic” feel. The book also serves as an introduction to the midcentury designers who originally created those items as well as the catalogs and magazine ads where staples like the ubiquitous "Burke chair" originally appeared. With insightful detours through individual episodes and looks into movements like “futurist architecture" and "brutalism," the book gives you a whole new lens through which to view TOS. There’s also a final catalog of objects, giving you the ability to locate and furnish your own 23rd century abode.
September 8, 2024
Very fun! Though honestly, most of the fun comes from the fact that somebody else did all the intense searching in the episodes to spot the midcentury pieces AND that they did the research into the pieces they found in those episodes. Yesssss! Much enjoyment was had by me in viewing the fruits of their labors.
My favorite storytelling bit involved the original tribbles episode where the Trek crew borrowed 20-some chairs from local furniture showrooms - all of which had to be treated delicately enough to be returned... even after a major bar-fight scene. I promise the next time I re-watch the tribbles episode, I'm gonna be watching for how delicately the chairs in the bar fight scene are treated (while perhaps relishing how hard the tables take it instead?)...
My favorite storytelling bit involved the original tribbles episode where the Trek crew borrowed 20-some chairs from local furniture showrooms - all of which had to be treated delicately enough to be returned... even after a major bar-fight scene. I promise the next time I re-watch the tribbles episode, I'm gonna be watching for how delicately the chairs in the bar fight scene are treated (while perhaps relishing how hard the tables take it instead?)...
March 19, 2022
Dan Chavkin has an interesting premise and there are a lot of excellent photographs to exemplify his points. However, the text and formatting errors in this Kindle edition are unforgivable. Overlapping text and typographical errors make the book all but unreadable.
December 13, 2024
Expertly researched, with a combination of design history, interviews, biography, and personal anecdotes. Very useful resource!
March 23, 2022
This is not a book for the casual STAR TREK THE ORIGINAL SERIES Trek fan, no no no. THIS is the kind of in-depth research and presentation, on, of all things, what amounts to how the sets were decorated in the then current styles of Midcentury Modernism.
Say what?
Yes, it’s true. An amazing eye opener for those who think they know everything Trek or simply want to know more. This is the first book of its kind, and I found it a fascinating read.
Say what?
Yes, it’s true. An amazing eye opener for those who think they know everything Trek or simply want to know more. This is the first book of its kind, and I found it a fascinating read.
October 14, 2021
Awesome book. Well catalogued, researched and described book on TOS set pieces, furniture, artwork and the professionals who chose them.
February 9, 2024
"What I will take credit for is, I surrounded myself by very bright people wo came up with all those wonderful things. And then you can appear very smart." - Gene Roddenberry
As both a Star Trek TOS fan, and an admirer of midcentury modern design, I was thrilled when Insight Editions sent me a copy of this book! And what a gorgeous book it is! It truly surpassed my expectations!
While watching episodes of the show, no matter how many times I have seen each one, I always find myself admiring the furniture and art on the sets, (and costumes!) I absolutely love the futuristic look, and this book has caused me to really consider how it was mid-century modern designers that gave us this view of the future.
Inside this beautiful volume is a deep look into various episodes of the three seasons of Star Trek TOS. Images of the show are shown along with the particular items the authors have identified and researched. The items are also shown on their own oftentimes so you can get a clearer look. Even more awesome is the production sketches included that are shared throughout the book, and which show exactly the look and details for the set that was wanted for each scene. Throughout the book there is also some biographical information on the individual set designers, art directors, set decorators and as well, a matte artist who did several of the matt paintings used in the series. Along with biographical information on many of the designers of the furniture and art as well.
There is a wonderful section of the book on futurist architecture that details out the problem of needing to show the “strange new worlds” in the series, and that was solved by one of three ways. Either filming with a modernist building as a backdrop, building a key structure on a sound stage, or a matte painting used as a backdrop. There are several examples showing these techniques in action. I found this incredibly interesting!
Another chapter of the book is about brutalism and how it also shaped the look of the future, showing a very contrasting vision with the starkness of brutalist sculpture in more harmonious settings. I hadn’t ever thought about the brutalist items in the show, I noticed them, but that was about it. Now that it has been pointed out to me, I can see how clearly they influenced the mood of a scene. And I can understand better my attraction to the brutalist style, it somehow holds that very interesting futuristic look, partnered with a sense of honesty and simplicity.
Before reaching the end of the book there are some fun old adverts to view (there are also wonderful adverts throughout the book, showing items from the show as they were advertised to the public). And finally, something that really delighted me, a “catalog of objects”! Being a chart over multiple pages that list out each item they identified and researched, it’s designer, manufacturer, country of origin, era, and episode of the show. Making it that much easier to Star-Trek-ify your own home if that may be your desire! If you can afford to that is. Midcentury modern design is really popular now, and genuine items are quite sought after so prices can reflect that. Still, some items are available as replicas or reissues and may be more affordable.
I would obviously recommend this book to fans of Star Trek TOS and midcentury design, but I also think any Star Trek fan even without an interest in design would find it interesting. Alternatively, I think admirers of midcentury design not particularly interested in Star Trek might also find the book interesting.
Thank you Insight Editions for sending me this book, I absolutely love it! And thank you to the authors as well!
Originally published on my website with images: https://www.hekatepotniatheron.org/po...
As both a Star Trek TOS fan, and an admirer of midcentury modern design, I was thrilled when Insight Editions sent me a copy of this book! And what a gorgeous book it is! It truly surpassed my expectations!
While watching episodes of the show, no matter how many times I have seen each one, I always find myself admiring the furniture and art on the sets, (and costumes!) I absolutely love the futuristic look, and this book has caused me to really consider how it was mid-century modern designers that gave us this view of the future.
Inside this beautiful volume is a deep look into various episodes of the three seasons of Star Trek TOS. Images of the show are shown along with the particular items the authors have identified and researched. The items are also shown on their own oftentimes so you can get a clearer look. Even more awesome is the production sketches included that are shared throughout the book, and which show exactly the look and details for the set that was wanted for each scene. Throughout the book there is also some biographical information on the individual set designers, art directors, set decorators and as well, a matte artist who did several of the matt paintings used in the series. Along with biographical information on many of the designers of the furniture and art as well.
There is a wonderful section of the book on futurist architecture that details out the problem of needing to show the “strange new worlds” in the series, and that was solved by one of three ways. Either filming with a modernist building as a backdrop, building a key structure on a sound stage, or a matte painting used as a backdrop. There are several examples showing these techniques in action. I found this incredibly interesting!
Another chapter of the book is about brutalism and how it also shaped the look of the future, showing a very contrasting vision with the starkness of brutalist sculpture in more harmonious settings. I hadn’t ever thought about the brutalist items in the show, I noticed them, but that was about it. Now that it has been pointed out to me, I can see how clearly they influenced the mood of a scene. And I can understand better my attraction to the brutalist style, it somehow holds that very interesting futuristic look, partnered with a sense of honesty and simplicity.
Before reaching the end of the book there are some fun old adverts to view (there are also wonderful adverts throughout the book, showing items from the show as they were advertised to the public). And finally, something that really delighted me, a “catalog of objects”! Being a chart over multiple pages that list out each item they identified and researched, it’s designer, manufacturer, country of origin, era, and episode of the show. Making it that much easier to Star-Trek-ify your own home if that may be your desire! If you can afford to that is. Midcentury modern design is really popular now, and genuine items are quite sought after so prices can reflect that. Still, some items are available as replicas or reissues and may be more affordable.
I would obviously recommend this book to fans of Star Trek TOS and midcentury design, but I also think any Star Trek fan even without an interest in design would find it interesting. Alternatively, I think admirers of midcentury design not particularly interested in Star Trek might also find the book interesting.
Thank you Insight Editions for sending me this book, I absolutely love it! And thank you to the authors as well!
Originally published on my website with images: https://www.hekatepotniatheron.org/po...
February 23, 2022
When Joanne Linville swung around revealing herself as a female Romulan commander in Season 3’s "The Enterprise Incident," I imagine the reaction that most viewers had was either, “hot Romulan” or, “wow, it’s a woman” but my reaction, even at an elementary-school age, was, “look at that chair!” Thanks to this book, I now know that the chair in question is the “Elda” by Italian designer Joe Colombo. Designed in 1963, the Elda’s wraparound foam surrounds the sitter well above the shoulder line, affording both privacy and a touch of sinister mystery. What else can one ask of a chair?
The intersection of Star Trek and midcentury modernism is a niche within a niche so for those of us who find ourselves in that bullseye there is tremendous joy to be had in reading this book. For instance, those in the know have long-recognized Zefram Cochrane not just as the human inventor of warp drive but also as a masterful interior designer. In Season 2’s “Metamorphosis," Cochrane has skillfully cobbled together the wreckage of his crashed vessel into a modernist masterpiece adorned with works of art that unambiguously reveal him to be a midcentury aesthete. Authors Chavkin and McGuire suspect that set designer Matt Jefferies (for whom Jefferies tubes are named!) found inspiration for the hexagonal structure in Floyd D’Angelo’s Snow Creek house located in Riverside County, California. As a current resident of Riverside County this reference provided me yet another joyful morsel.
Jeffries’ attention to detail extends all the way down to the salt shakers found aboard the Enterprise. When Janice Rand is assaulted by the salt vampire in Season 1’s "The Man Trap," the salt shakers on her food tray are the work of industrial designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld. Easily remembered by fans, these shakers are modern yet recognizable as salt shakers (something crucial to the plot) and are still in production today. As with most of Star Trek’s props, sourcing was made by renting or purchasing retail offerings found in the Los Angeles area.
Other Trek-era items still available for sale today include pieces of Warren Platner’s “The Platner Collection” furniture. The array of metal rods supporting these tables and chairs make them easily recognizable in season 1’s “A Taste of Armageddon" and they can be found currently at Rove Concepts, Design Within Reach, and other retail outlets. Likewise for Eero Saarinen’s Tulip table and chairs, staples of midcentury modern design that can be spotted in multiple episodes.
60s-era print advertisements for many of these items are included in the book and provide nostalgic context. Jeffries’ illustrations of set design and prop pieces likewise afford a behind-the-scenes look into the process of creating Trek’s look. One shortcoming often cited about the book is the poor image quality of video stills used throughout, and I found this to be a legitimate complaint. I imagine the difficulty in obtaining original film-quality sourcing for these stills was too difficult for the authors but a blurry picture is never a good thing.
That one quibble aside, this book is a delightful experience for Trek fans who are also midcentury modernist aficionados. It is an offering both narrow in focus and dense with information, nostalgia and joy for an era of enduring influence. Highly recommended for those so inclined.
The intersection of Star Trek and midcentury modernism is a niche within a niche so for those of us who find ourselves in that bullseye there is tremendous joy to be had in reading this book. For instance, those in the know have long-recognized Zefram Cochrane not just as the human inventor of warp drive but also as a masterful interior designer. In Season 2’s “Metamorphosis," Cochrane has skillfully cobbled together the wreckage of his crashed vessel into a modernist masterpiece adorned with works of art that unambiguously reveal him to be a midcentury aesthete. Authors Chavkin and McGuire suspect that set designer Matt Jefferies (for whom Jefferies tubes are named!) found inspiration for the hexagonal structure in Floyd D’Angelo’s Snow Creek house located in Riverside County, California. As a current resident of Riverside County this reference provided me yet another joyful morsel.
Jeffries’ attention to detail extends all the way down to the salt shakers found aboard the Enterprise. When Janice Rand is assaulted by the salt vampire in Season 1’s "The Man Trap," the salt shakers on her food tray are the work of industrial designer Wilhelm Wagenfeld. Easily remembered by fans, these shakers are modern yet recognizable as salt shakers (something crucial to the plot) and are still in production today. As with most of Star Trek’s props, sourcing was made by renting or purchasing retail offerings found in the Los Angeles area.
Other Trek-era items still available for sale today include pieces of Warren Platner’s “The Platner Collection” furniture. The array of metal rods supporting these tables and chairs make them easily recognizable in season 1’s “A Taste of Armageddon" and they can be found currently at Rove Concepts, Design Within Reach, and other retail outlets. Likewise for Eero Saarinen’s Tulip table and chairs, staples of midcentury modern design that can be spotted in multiple episodes.
60s-era print advertisements for many of these items are included in the book and provide nostalgic context. Jeffries’ illustrations of set design and prop pieces likewise afford a behind-the-scenes look into the process of creating Trek’s look. One shortcoming often cited about the book is the poor image quality of video stills used throughout, and I found this to be a legitimate complaint. I imagine the difficulty in obtaining original film-quality sourcing for these stills was too difficult for the authors but a blurry picture is never a good thing.
That one quibble aside, this book is a delightful experience for Trek fans who are also midcentury modernist aficionados. It is an offering both narrow in focus and dense with information, nostalgia and joy for an era of enduring influence. Highly recommended for those so inclined.
February 14, 2023
The furniture, props and artwork that were purchased and sometimes modified for the original Star Trek. Useful knowledge if you want your home to look like the Enterprise. From personal experience, the plastic seats are uncomfortable and fragile, you've been warned.
Also another amusing note, Grace Whitney Lee, Yeoman Rand, apparently changed the pants to the miniskirt and boots for women's uniform.
Also another amusing note, Grace Whitney Lee, Yeoman Rand, apparently changed the pants to the miniskirt and boots for women's uniform.
December 22, 2023
Great as a coffee table art book focused on the design of Star Trek. I would have liked a bit more analysis on the design choices from an artistic perspective, i.e. why were certain design choices made, both for the show and the works, and what were they meant to convey. The final chapter on Brutalism gets into this a bit, but I would have liked more throughout.
Still, it is a joy to flip through.
Still, it is a joy to flip through.
January 8, 2022
This is one of my favourite Star Trek art books. I’ve always loved mid century modern design and I think it’s because I absorbed so much of it while watching countless hours of Star Trek as a kid! This book highlights some of the more recognizable pieces used in the original series and also provides brief biographies of some influential designers.
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February 22, 2022Fascinating! Thorough and entertaining. A BTS look at the original Trek.
February 21, 2022
You've heard of 'Easter Eggs' in movies and TV shows, right? This hard-bound masterpiece is full of fun art Easter Eggs that gave me a whole new appreciation for Star Trek, especially with regard to certain episodes. I was seeing furniture, sculpture, architecture, matte paintings, but I didn't realize exactly what I was looking at. The book has helped me to see Star Trek and Art with new eyes.
Incidentally, I visited an antique store about three days after I finished this book and I found a really awesome chair: "Hey, that's Midcentury Modernism!" I said to myself. Something very similar to that was in 'The Cloud Minders' and it gave me a new appreciation when I went back and watched the episode. (And, yes, I bought the chair too).
Star Trek stories are told in a wonderfully and complex visual universe -this book will open you up to new aspects of the Original Series. Highly recommend. Star Trek is always on my mind, but this book added the design of Star Trek to my mind.
Incidentally, I visited an antique store about three days after I finished this book and I found a really awesome chair: "Hey, that's Midcentury Modernism!" I said to myself. Something very similar to that was in 'The Cloud Minders' and it gave me a new appreciation when I went back and watched the episode. (And, yes, I bought the chair too).
Star Trek stories are told in a wonderfully and complex visual universe -this book will open you up to new aspects of the Original Series. Highly recommend. Star Trek is always on my mind, but this book added the design of Star Trek to my mind.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews