The Language of Things: Understanding the World of Desirable Objects - Hardcover

Deyan Sudjic is director of the Design Museum, London. He is the author of 100-Mile City and The Edifice Complex and the coauthor of The Architecture Pack.

“A deep, penetrating look at the ever-perilous battle among the competing forces of art, fashion, and practicality.... Difficult to read because I was laughing so much, I kept losing my place.”
- Donald Norman, author of Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things

“[Sudjic] views the world of objects that surrounds us with both unabashed passion and supreme skepticism.... We could ask for no better guide.”
- Michael Bierut, author of Seventy-nine Short Essays on Design

“A mind-broadening look at how designers of all kinds make our material world what it is.... Full of eye-opening examples of design at its most daring―and most successful.”
- Henry Petrosky, author of Small Things Considered: Why There Is No Perfect Design

“[Sudjic] writes beautifully, communicating an expert knowledge of design in words so well crafted that you look forward to every sentence.”
- Bill Moggridge, cofounder of IDEO and author of Designing Interactions

“An evocative, sometimes disturbing, always intelligent book about the poetry of material things.”
- Richard Sennett, author of The Culture of the New Capitalism

“The Language of Things reads like a good conversation with someone who has a deep understanding of his subject matter.... A provocative and effective way of looking at our world through the lens of objects.”
- John Dunningan, Dean of Architecture and Design, Rhode Island School of Design