Jasper Morrison: Minimum Design

Born in London, 1959, Jasper Morrison is a British designer renowned for injecting a quietly humorous style into his designs which range from chairs, tables and lamps to the more challenging tram that he designed for the city of Hanover. After graduating in Design at Kingston Polytechnic and the Royal College of Art, Morrison opened his office in London where he reworked the 'anonymous' object with the intention of playing with the rules of 'form'. Even in the early stages of his career Morrison followed his decision to design for industrial production and was keen to utilise ready-made industrial components. His constant enhusiasm to embark on collaborations with fellow designers has allowed him to commission many products from them, being allowed by his clients to experiment with many differing materials and technologies. Rather than striving for the excess that upsets most contemporary design, Morrison suggests the concept of the super normal which is clearly visible in the profuse theoretical production that is embodied by his work. Published in the same style as the successful 'Minimum Architects' series, the 'Minimum Design' series includes books about the major figures in the field of design, creators of objects that have become a part of our daily lives. The lamp on our desk, the chair we are sitting on or the glasses we are wearing have a genius behind them to be discovered. These volumes introduce in a practical manner the personalities and the works of the world's major designers by way of an historical-critical introduction to the work and life of each individual designer. An accurate selection of the designer's most famous objects arranged in chronological order and a critique of his or her work summarising the most significant reviews published in magazines and newspapers completes the subject. AUTHOR: Gabriele Neri earned a degree at the Milan Polytechnic and is now a Ph.D. student in the History of Architecture and Urban Studies. His essays have been published in many monographs and journals, both Italian and international, that specialise in these fields. He has taught and lectured in Italian universities, and has also curated sections of major exhibitions both in Italy and abroad. ILLUSTRATIONS: 100 colour