100 Years of Swiss Design (Book)

Swiss design enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide. This is due to the lasting impact that famous designers had on graphic design, product and furniture design.

In graphic design, there is a pursuit of simplicity with coined the term “Swiss Design” in the 1950’s and 1960’s. When it comes to industrial design, visionaries have been trying to find just the perfect balance between function, robustness and elegance.

In order to celebrate the body of innovation and pioneer work that is collectively called “Swiss Design”, a hardcover book has been published: “100 Years of Swiss Design“. It will make a designer’s heart race…

The compilation covers such classics as Elna sewing machines, the Mondaine station clock or Visa-Gloria tricycles. A total of 100 design objects have been curated from the vast collection at the Schaudepot of the Design Museum Zürich.

No less than thirty high quality articles highlight important themes in Switzerland’s design past, present and future. Examples of essays are “Small and Precise”, “The Evolution of Swiss Kitchen Design” or “What Makes a Good Designer?” The latter is written by Daniel Freitag, the founder of the Freitag messenger bags.

The hardcover book is available in English or German at Lars Müller Publishers or in design museum shops. At a hefty 376 pages, it is just the kind of book you would want in your library as each reading session reveals new insights.