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Eva Zeisel
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Eva Zeisel On Design: The Magic Language of Things Paperback – November 29, 2011

by Eva Zeisel (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 12 ratings
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With a trailblazing career spanning more than seventy-five years and continuing to this day, with recent creations including a Martini glass featured in Bombay Sapphire ads, Eva Zeisel stands at the forefront of twentieth-century designers. Her works, mostly in ceramics and glass, are a reflection of a profoundly independent vision, unconstrained by design conventions, fads or ideologies. In this lavishly illustrated, full-colour book, the designer for the first time communicates the ideas that have guided and inspired her work throughout her career.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    224 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Abrams Press
  4. Publication date
    November 29, 2011
  5. Dimensions
    7.3 x 0.57 x 9.35 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9781590206898
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1590206898
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1590206894
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Abrams Press; 1st edition (November 29, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781590206898
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1590206898
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.46 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.3 x 0.57 x 9.35 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 12 ratings

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Eva Zeisel

Eva Zeisel

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
12 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

rebecca biays
5.0 out of 5 stars The book itself was like new. The content is even better. It cami in a timely manner.
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2022
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The content is even better. I received it in a timely manner.
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L B
5.0 out of 5 stars Fast
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2019
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Just amazing how fast it is shipping on amazon! Love it
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J. Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars Zeisel review
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2013
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Good information on the artist and good picture resume of her work. I recommend this book if you are interested in Eva Zeisel.
One person found this helpful
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Art student
4.0 out of 5 stars TED
Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2013
Verified Purchase
I saw a www,TED.com interview with this delightful lady and got the book for use as a text book for my art studies. She is deceased now but was a women who made beautiful vessels
One person found this helpful
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J
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2016
Verified Purchase
Design book that is accessibly written and nice to read.
One person found this helpful
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Sylvia's Choice
5.0 out of 5 stars Super seller.
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2015
Verified Purchase
Eva was one of a Kind! Super seller. Thanks
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Karl Becker
4.0 out of 5 stars Good collection of short essays and photos from one of the most experienced designers in the world
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2005
Eva does not subscribe to the theory "newer is better." The artist/designer's observations "On Design," refined from years of experience in the world of art and product design, exhibit a warm attitude toward design along with a distaste for the modern movement she has seen develop since her birth in 1906.

Zeisel believes the modern movement focused too much on removing and simplifying. She discusses why the philosophy of `simplify, simplify,' and the expectation of modern designers to create a visual appearance entirely unique for each new product, has simultaneously increased novelty. "Our inherent belief in evolution has led to our appreciation of novelty. ... [Designers] often forget to tone down [a product's] over-interesting features, its novelty, because we ... want to show our skill." Creating products void of character, personality, and warmth is something Zeisel wants future designers to avoid.

Zeisel's reflection on evolution leading to appreciation of novelty is as applicable to 24 hour news channels as to the design of objects. Eva hopes the 21st century will bring beauty, harmony, loveliness, and elegance to design, qualities she believes were not aims of the 20th century's modern movement.

The book itself is well done. The 169 full-color and 75 black-and-white photos, the focus of the book, are printed cleanly and driven by a nicely flowing narration. There is no shortage of photos depicting Eva's creations, but there are even more pictures of objects that are Eva's inspirations or examples of ideas. One particularly jarring photo shows what the Chrysler Building may have looked like without the proper attention given to its structure. Other photos bring in many diverse inspirations to Zeisel, including Roman aqueducts, Japanese courtyards, 15th century toys, and modern sculpture.

Eva wants designers to take their job seriously but still carry whimsy. "The control and articulation of line and surface doesn't give a sensuous physical pleasure like molding clay, but it requires disciplined articulation" between maker and object. She entreats her fellow designers to "not overvalue the lines we first sketch when developing our ideas. Play with them to articulate what we want to say, clearly and beautifully."

Eva's "On Design" contains wonderful insight into design along with many beautiful photos. The variety of design topics will make a good, quick casual read for anyone who appreciates thoughtful art and design, especially from one of the most time-tested designers in the world.
30 people found this helpful
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