Posts from — June 2007

Small Things Considered
by Henry Petroski

A very light and fun design book for designers in just about any discipline. The historical accounts he gives of the smallest objects such as the the paper cup to the grocery bag illuminates the beauty of design.

I usually read “deeper” design books but this is a refreshing read because it concentrates on design in its simplest form–away from the digital and mechanical. Every chapter essentially tells a story of the evolution of different products. Though, I did disagree with some of his assessments of “what” design is. For instance, one chapter he explains the act of eating out with a group at a restaurant as being a design choice. I disagree as this has more to do with simple decision-making more appropriately described by anthropology, sociology and psychology. This particular chapter I felt could have been omitted altogether.

Aside from that, every chapter stands alone as a thorough account of how design pervades everything. It will be illuminating for non-designers because it exposes the constraints and compromises that are involved in the design process. For designers, it should prove to be entertaining if not a little humorous as Petroski makes it easy to empathize with these accounts. A very entertaining read for those in the field or those who are simply intrigued by what goes into everyday products.