Something to Be Desired: Design Essays by Veronique Vienne

This book is a very readable collection of meanderings, mutterings and muses. Veronique dives into the fields of art, industrial design, graphics, branding, and architecture, and puts the world to rights with her cynical and witty viewpoint.It's thought provoking too, as she introduces the reader to a number of interesting observations from her varied professional life. For instance, she points out -with a witty "coming to America" story that the coffee table is in fact a product of the latter half of the 20th century, which was as integral to the American Dream of the 1950's as Marilyn Monroe and Rock 'n Roll. The last chapter that explains the truth about women's relationship with cars is a refreshing and humorous statement that will stick with me for some time.I'd recommend this book to designers and architects of all kinds. It's a short, pleasurable read that stays with you much longer in memory than it does on the coffee table.

Informative? Yes. Provocative? Yes. Witty? Yes. I found Veronique Vienne's theories compelling. I continually emitted chuckles and nodded yes at her very insightful remarks on design of all types. I was made aware of things in a new perspective that only enforce and enhance my own design applications. This is an inspiring read.