This critical account of the history and function of design sets design styles, from the eighteenth century to present day, in the context of the times that produced them and assesses what "good design" was at any given time and why it worked. The importance of design is discussed, and the author argues that designers shape the visual world around us, but at the same time prevailing social, economic and political conditions shape design ideas and developments. Case histories, individual examples and assessments are taken in various categories of design, including architecture, transport, appliances, furniture, lighting, metalwork, plastics, textiles and fashion. By the same author: "Design Source Book", 1986.