A Book of Things

Known for his “Super Normal” approach to design, Jasper Morrison looks to find the exceptional in the world of the ordinary. Underpinned by his principle that “objects should not shout,” Morrison’s designs are defined by beguiling simplicity, ready familiarity and a distinctive playfulness. While he made his name with the Thinking Man’s Chair in 1985, he has won devotion for a broad spectrum of projects, from cell phones to lights, tea sets and door handles as well as for his interiors, exhibitions, books and photography.

“A Book of Things” is a guide to Morrison’s intense examination of the world of things that accompany our lives and shape our environment. It presents the highlights in his long and varied career, showing projects from draft sketches to finished product, accompanied by his personal anecdotes on the genesis of each design. This revised and extended edition of the original 2015 publication adds his most recent designs, including a bakery in Majorca, a magazine cover and a bicycle. At the same time as it emphasizes the diversity of his practice, this edition brings to the fore Morrison’s feel for interiors. For Morrison, an object’s success rests not in isolation but in its ability to create an atmosphere in a setting. This new edition manifests his sensitivity to settings as well as his approach to objects, his process of design and his eye.

Revised and extended version of the 2015/2017 edition