【Book Description】
In the history of contemporary design, Hella Jongerius has always been a creator who defies easy categorization. Equally at home in industrial design and traditional craft, she has collaborated with international brands on mass-produced products while continually challenging established design conventions through experimentation and research. Throughout her career, she has pursued a fundamental question: how can contemporary design preserve the warmth of materials, color, and human touch in an age driven by efficiency and standardization?
Published in conjunction with the Vitra Design Museum’s major retrospective on Hella Jongerius, this book offers a comprehensive overview of more than three decades of her creative practice. From her early explorations in ceramics and textiles to furniture, lighting, product design, and interior projects, the volume presents a wide range of her most significant works, revealing how her deep investigations into materials, color, and manufacturing processes have continually expanded the possibilities of design.
More than a conventional monograph, the book focuses on the thinking and research behind the work. Drawing extensively from Hella Jongerius’ personal archive, it features sketches, prototypes, material samples, research notes, and development documents, allowing readers to trace the complete journey of a project—from initial concept to final realization. In doing so, it provides valuable insight into the experimental and iterative methods that define her distinctive design approach.
The publication also includes essays and in-depth discussions that explore her perspectives on industrial production, the value of craftsmanship, color systems, and contemporary design culture. For readers interested in contemporary design, material research, craft innovation, and design methodology, this book is both a definitive record of Hella Jongerius’ remarkable career and an inspiring exploration of how research and experimentation continue to drive innovation in design.
【Details】
Author: Glenn Adamson, Marcella Hanika
Introduction: Alice Rawsthorn
Publisher: Vitra Design Museum
Publication Year: 2026
Size: 28 × 21 cm
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 280 pages