[ TALK TO ME DESIGN AND THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PEOPLE AND OBJECTS BY HUNT, JAMES](AUTHOR)PAPERBACK

by Paola Antonelli

Since the introduction of the personal computer in the early 1980s, many objects have been designed to have capabilities well beyond their immediate use or appearance. Whether openly and actively or in subtle, subliminal ways, these objects talk to us, and we have come to expect interaction with them. Contemporary designers, besides giving objects form and function, write their initial scripts—the foundation for useful and satisfying conversations. Talk to Me focuses on projects that involve such direct interaction—including interfaces, websites, video games, devices and tools, and information systems—as well as installations that establish practical, emotional, or even sensual connections to cities, companies, governmental institutions, or other individuals. The featured objects range in date from the late 1980s to today, with particular attention given to the last five years and projects currently in development. Organized thematically, Talk to Meintroduces design practices that are increasingly crucial to our world and demonstrates how rich and deep the influence of design will be on our future.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Art

Paperback

First published July 31, 2011

About the author

Paola Antonelli is curator in the Department of Architecture and Design at the Museum of Modern Art. Since 1994, Paola has curated the following landmark exhibitions: "Achille Castiglioni: Design!;" "Humble Masterpieces;" "Mutant Materials in Contemporary Design; " "SAFE: Design Takes on Risk;" "Thresholds: Contemporary Design from the Netherlands;" "Projects 66: Campana/Ingo Maurer:" and "Workspheres." For these accomplishments she received the 2006 Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum Design Mind Award. She was also appointed senior fellow at the Royal College of Art, London and given an honorary doctorate by Kingston University. Prior to joining the staff at MoMA, Paola was the editor of Abitare and a contributing editor to Domus. Among the books she has written are: Humble Masterpieces: Everyday Marvels of Design and Objects of Design from the Museum of Modern Art. She also writes for publications such as Harper's Bazaar, Harvard Design, I.D., Metropolis, Nest, and Paper.

Reviews

[Ben Lainhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is loaded with interesting essays and projects that try to break down the new conversations between people and technology. It's written from a design perspective but I think that it will have universal interest to anyone who wants to think deeply about where we are as a culture and how the objects we use on a daily basis connect or influence us.

[Julaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the subject matter a lot. I found the book hard to read. The text is in a courier style font, white on a black background, at an almost unreadably tiny font size.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cool collection of new media projects.