DESIGN! A lively Guide to Design Basics for Artists and Craftspeople

Steven Aimone

Lark Books 2004

Teapots – many quirky, delightful teapots illustrate the design principles covered in this book. Paintings, textiles, ceramics, photography, basketry and carvings, even Malian mud huts all serve the same purpose but I found myself turning pages waiting for the next teapot with its surprising spout or slightly tipsy top. The book is proof perfect that good design is good design no matter to what art form it may be applied. It is 176 pages of permission to prowl craft galleries, African villages and cook shops in the name of research.

The eleven chapters present an aspect of design such as the repetition of motif, rhythm, focal emphasis or the design space. At the end of the theory there are exercises to follow. These would be a good start for anyone wanting to learn to play in a design sketchbook apart from the education about design one would attain. This book covers more of the theory on design than the City and Guilds certificate modules do and at a snip of the price.  Put your feet up, make a cup of tea and enjoy. But don’t blame me if you feel the urge to alter your teapot before your Earl Grey is cold.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ This book is available to purchase from my US or UK bookstores. Buying from my store provides me ( at no extra cost to you) with a small commission which defrays the running costs of this site. I only stock books which I own and can personally recommend.