Design as Art (2008)

One of the last surviving members of the Futurist generation, Bruno Munari presents an illustrated journey into the artistic possibilities of modern design, translated by Patrick Creagh and published as part of the Penguin on Design series in Penguin Modern Classics. Munari was among the most inspirational designers of all time, described by Picasso as “the new Leonardo”. He insisted that design should be beautiful, functional and accessible, and this enlightening and highly entertaining book sets out his ideas about visual, graphic and industrial design and the role it plays in the objects we use every day. Lamps, road signs, typography, posters, children’s books, advertising, cars and chairs are among the subjects to which he turns his illuminating gaze. Munari asks how we see the world around us, while the Penguin on Design series brings together creative thinkers whose writings on art, design and the media have changed our vision. Born in Milan in 1907, Munari was an enfant terrible of Italian art and design for most of the twentieth century, contributing to visual and non-visual fields including painting, sculpture, film, industrial design, graphics, literature and poetry. He was twice awarded the Compasso d’Oro design prize for excellence in his field.