"The Philosophy of Design: Essays by Sori Yanagi" is a collection of writings by the influential Japanese industrial designer Sori Yanagi (1915-2011), presenting his thoughtful reflections on design principles and the relationship between functionality and beauty. Drawing from his experience creating iconic pieces like the Butterfly Stool and his background in traditional Japanese craftsmanship, Yanagi explores the intersection of folk craft traditions with modern industrial design. His essays emphasise simplicity, natural materials, and intuitive creation over purely theoretical approaches, advocating for a humanistic design philosophy where the ultimate goal is creating objects that genuinely serve and enhance people's everyday lives. The book offers valuable insights into Japanese design thinking and remains relevant for contemporary designers interested in the deeper philosophical foundations of functional, beautiful design.
English
300 Pages
Published in 2015