Designed for Life

A global survey of 100 of the most creative and innovative product designers working today

Designed For Life showcases 100 of the most exciting designers around the world and, through their work, shines a lens on what is happening at the forefront of contemporary product design. The boundaries between design, art, craft, fashion, and architecture have been blurred in recent years and a new generation of designers has emerged, working across different fields and genres. Products illustrated in the book range from furniture, lighting, and objects, to limited editions, glassware, and office systems, making Designed for Life the ideal route to new talent throughout the field of product design and the perfect way to assess exactly what is being created in the design scene today

Chosen by an international line up of influential industry experts – design critics, museum curators, entrepreneurs, journalists, and gallerists – the nominated designers comprise young product designers who have emerged in the last few years, but who have already produced outstanding, creative, and innovative pieces of design, such as Mac Collins, Nifemi Marcus-Bello, Minjae Kim, and Mimi Shodeinde as well as more established designers including Jasper Morrison, India Mahdavi, and Jonathan Olivares. This fascinating book illustrates the new materials, processes, and technologies being utilized; the radically different styles being created; and the growing importance of sustainability, diversity, and inclusivity in design. These designers believe design can build a better world and a better life.

Featured designers include: Barber Osgerby; BIG-GAME; Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec; Stephen Burks Man Made; Formafantasma; GamFratesi; Martino Gamper; Gunjan Gupta; Marlène Huissoud; Moisés Hernández; Industrial Facility; Misha Khan; Max Lamb; Kwangho Lee; Sabine Marcelis; Objects of Common Interest; Julie Richoz; Soft Baroque; Jomo Tariku; Faye Toogood; and Bethan Laura Wood.

Nominators for the 100 designers are: Mark Adams; Glenn Adamson; Chrissa Amuah; Spencer Bailey; Marc Benda; Anders Byriel; Aric Chen; Maria Cristina Didero; Alexis Georgacopoulos; Marianne Goebl; Marva Griffin; Anniina Koivu; Cecilia León de la Barra; Tuija Makkonen; Ana Mallet; Tapiwa Matsinde; Justin McGuirk; Ambra Medda; Rossella Menegazzo; Jonathan Olivares; Francesca Picchi; Libby Sellers; Zhuo Tan; Maria Veerasamy; Ben Watson; Demetria White; and Jane Withers.

Review

‘[Compiles] names that every design enthusiast needs to know.’ – Robb Report

‘[The] bridging of art and commerce sparked an interest that has persisted, and inspired, for generations. [This] is a survey of such objects.’ – Interior Design

About the Author

Phaidon Editors

Kelsey Keith is the brand creative director at Herman Miller, a contributor at Elle Decor, and the former editor-in-chief of Curbed and deputy editor at Dwell.