Principles of Design – Furniture, Pottery & Metalwork

Coming up with pleasing and well-balanced designs can be a challenge for even the most experienced furniture makers. While some will simply take inspiration from other makers, for those looking to learn and truly understand the fundamentals of design, this book is a comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide.

Written by William Varnum, a professor at the University of Wisconsin, Principles of Design was first published in 1916 under the title Industrial Arts Design. It was originally intended as a textbook to teach educators and students about furniture, pottery and metalwork design, using examples of Craftsman designs and earlier traditional forms.

Starting with basic function and form, Varnum lays out simple rules, steps and design concepts accompanied by illustrations. He explains how to enrich the shape and contours of a design, divide up a form both horizontally and vertically, and effectively use color. Varnum also shows you how to interpret existing designs and fix common design mistakes.

Hardcover, 7" × 9 5/8", 248 pages. Limited print run.