Product Description

From M & Ms to Post–It Notes, a charming and insightful collection of design marvels from everyday life, celebrated by the curator of the MoMA's department of architecture and design.

Every day we use dozens of tiny objects, from Post–It notes to Band–Aids. If they work well, chances are we do not pay them much attention. But although modest in size and price, some of these objects are true masterpieces of the art of design.

Paola Antonelli, curator of the Museum of Modern Art's Department of Design and Architecture, is a highly celebrated figure in the world of design (she was just ranked among the top 100 most powerful people in the world of art). Paola has long been passionate about the subject of everyday objects that are marvels of design. The response to her recent MoMA show, also called Humble Masterpieces, was electric. In addition to lively coverage in dozens of publications, the museum goers spread the word about the fun of learning about and nominating their own picks for humble masterpieces.

Now, in this colorful visual feast, Antonelli chooses 100 fabulous objects, from Chupa Chup lollipops to Legos to Chopsticks and Scotch tape. Each object will be portrayed with a gorgeous close–up detail, a brisk and informative text on its origin and special design features, as well as a silhouette image of the object as we see it each day. Certain to appeal to a broad audience, and to lend itself to fun, creative promotional opportunities, Humble Masterpieces will celebrate the possibility of looking at our everyday lives in an all–new way.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #333082 in Books
• Published on: 2005-12-01
• Released on: 2005-11-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 216 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. It takes seven days to create the flavorful, jewel-like cabochon of candy known as a Jelly Belly, seven months to fashion a worthy champagne cork, and no time at all to become enthralled by the 100 ubiquitous objects portrayed in this book. Antonelli, curator of the Museum of Modern Art's Department of Design and Architecture, imbues the text with reverence and passion befitting these revolutionary objects. Whether elaborating on modern design icons like the Post-it Note and the Chinese Take-out Box, or on designs so ancient their genesis is lost-the boomerang and chopsticks, for example-the author illustrates how each object's design fulfills its promise. The objects showcased here are significant because either their functionality has made them essential to peoples' lives (the safety pin, the condom), or because "like the Slinky or the Rubik's Cube, they have added so much delight to the history of our material culture that they deserve a prominent space in our world." Antonelli focuses on common designs that are used all over the world; consequently, the universality of good design is underscored. The author emphasizes the visceral and tactile qualities that make each object appealing, while the striking close-up photography shows how "their form efficiently describes their function." Antonelli has succeeded in showing how everyday design has both beauty and agency in this visual wonder of a book.
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Review
"A heartening read." -- New York Times

"A must-have compendium for the aesthetic perfectionist in you." -- City Page One

"Antonelli imbues the text with reverence and passion befitting these revolutionary objects. . . . Visual wonder of a book." -- Publishers Weekly

"Brilliantly conceived, impeccably executed, comprehensive, authoritative, chockablock with gorgeous photography and fascinating, surprising information." -- Kurt Andersen

"Cleverly designed." -- The Architect's Newspaper

"Delightfully illustrated." -- Virgina Postrel

"Humble Masterpieces, like the designs it highlights, does its job smartly, eloquently, tidily." -- Cnn.com

"One of those surprising books we never imagined we needed, but we do." -- Interior Design

"Short but fascinating vignettes on each object’s creation or lifecycle. Inspirational." -- Business Week

Merit Award, Special Trade-General, New York Book Show -- No Source

Review
"Brilliantly conceived, impeccably executed, comprehensive, authoritative, chockablock with gorgeous photography and fascinating, surprising information." (Kurt Andersen )

"A must-have compendium for the aesthetic perfectionist in you." (City Page One )

"Antonelli imbues the text with reverence and passion befitting these revolutionary objects. . . . Visual wonder of a book." (Publishers Weekly )

"Cleverly designed." (The Architect's Newspaper )

Merit Award, Special Trade-General, New York Book Show (No Source )

"Humble Masterpieces, like the designs it highlights, does its job smartly, eloquently, tidily." (Cnn.com )

"A heartening read." (New York Times )

"One of those surprising books we never imagined we needed, but we do." (Interior Design )

"Short but fascinating vignettes on each object's creation or lifecycle. Inspirational." (Business Week )

"Delightfully illustrated." (Virgina Postrel )

Customer Reviews

Stunning Photos
This book could be a guessing game. Look at the close-up photo and see if you can guess what humble, everyday object it is (don't peek at the text). The color and textures and shape in the photos are gorgeous on their own.
The book features 100 ordinary objects for their special designs. The book originates from a 2004 exhibition of the same title at MOMA. It celebrates objects familiar (scissors, lipstick, zipper, ballpoint pen, coffee cozy) to all of us.

A must have for a Marketeer
I spotted this book at my college Library and promptly went and grabbed it from the bookstore. The book talks about how simple things like the bobby pin, chopsticks were invented.

Goes to show that innovation exists all around us.

A definite must have for a marketeer, or a business person dealing with consumers.

humble masterpieces:everyday marvels of design
I have bought a total of 8 of these books, the last batch from Amazon. I still need to get another because I have ended up giving them all away. Thoughtful, creative people love it! Also, it is a great gift for those who seem to have everything.