Designers of the 80s and 90s: Furniture and Interiors

【Book Description】

Building on prior studies of decorative arts from the 1940s to the 1970s, this volume immerses readers in the groundbreaking design and architectural innovations of the 1980s and 1990s. Opening with a comprehensive introduction and featuring 38 monographic essays, it captures the creative diversity of this vibrant era. Through an abundance of visual material—much of it published for the first time—the book highlights the extraordinary aesthetic richness and cultural significance of the period.

A new generation of designers emerged during these decades, including Shiro Kuramata, Philippe Starck, Ron Arad, Bob Wilson, Elizabeth Garouste, and Mattia Bonetti. Rejecting the elitism of earlier design traditions, they boldly embraced new materials and approaches. In the UK, the Creative Salvage group pushed boundaries with inventive, provocative furniture created through welding and assemblage. Meanwhile in Italy, Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis collective introduced a playful new design vocabulary, fusing bold colors, unexpected patterns, and innovative uses of plastic laminate.

By the late 1990s, the works featured in this book reflect not only a new dialogue between artistic references and industrial production but also the pivotal transition toward the technological innovations of the 21st century. More than a historical survey, this volume provides a vital resource for understanding how contemporary design achieved breakthroughs in aesthetics, materials, and concepts.


【Details】

Authors: Patrick Favardin, Guy Bloch-Champfort
Publisher: Norma Editions
Publication Year: 2022
Dimensions: 30.5 × 23.7 cm
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 336