Twenty Over Eighty

May 15, 2016

This book is a counterpoint to the many publications that focus on interviews with up-and-coming or midcareer designers. Kwun and Smith (critics, writers, and designers themselves) sat down with 20 architects and creative professionals, who are all on the other side of 80, to discuss how design has affected their lives. The open, free-ranging conversations touch on major successes and failures, how they got started in their fields, approaches to process, and current projects--and most are still working. With careers spanning five or six decades, the interviewees often speak about the tremendous social changes in their areas of expertise, the impact of new technologies, and how their training compares to architecture and design education today. Brief introductions frame each exchange, time lines detail significant points in the designers' careers, and transcripts are illustrated by examples of the subject's designs. VERDICT This book offers readers the next best thing to sitting down with these interesting and influential designers, whose insights, reflections, and personalities will ignite passion in anyone with a penchant for design.--Amy Trendler, Ball State Univ. Libs., Muncie, IN

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