Design is more than aesthetics or function. It’s a way of understanding the world and structuring everyday life. The objects that surround us influence our habits, express values, and shape relationships.
This selection of books reflects on the role of objects in forming identity, the ethics of domestic life, the principles of usability, and the understated beauty of simple things.
Philosophy of the Home, Emanuele Coccia
In Philosophy of the Home, Emanuele Coccia looks at the home not just as an architectural space, but as a moral and psychological one. Each room becomes a place of transformation, where objects and furnishings influence how we see ourselves, relate to others, and experience everyday life. The kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom aren’t just functional zones, they’re settings where daily meaning takes shape. For Coccia, to inhabit a space is to imagine and nurture forms of coexistence, intimacy, and care. Objects act as go-betweens, linking body and space, self and world. His book invites both designers and readers to rethink domestic life as an ethical practice, where every choice in layout, form, and use helps build a more shared and happy way of living.
A Book of Things, Jasper Morrison
A Book of Things brings together a selection of projects by Jasper Morrison, combining images and brief texts written by the designer himself to convey his perspective on design. Published by Lars Müller, the book offers a clear and consistent portrait of Morrison’s aesthetic, rooted in simplicity, functionality, and sensitivity to context. Alongside well-known pieces like the Thinking Man Chair from 1986, the book includes lesser-known but equally significant works that reflect a quiet approach to design. Morrison describes the thinking behind each project, revealing a method that resists excess and avoids self-reference. The book offers insight into the philosophy of one of the most influential designers of our times.
The responsible object, Marjanne van Helvert
The Responsible Object traces the development of socially engaged and sustainable design ideologies. Edited by Marjanne van Helvert, the book examines historical movements such as Arts and Crafts, Bauhaus, Radical Design, Green Design, and Critical Design, highlighting how these approaches have shaped current thinking around responsible design. The collected essays offer a broad reflection on the ethical and philosophical dimensions of design, combining theoretical analysis with real-world examples. The book presents a critical view of design’s role in addressing social and environmental challenges, and encourages readers to see design as a tool for imagining more just and sustainable futures.
The Beauty of Everyday Things, Soetsu Yanagi
In The Beauty of Everyday Things, Japanese philosopher Soetsu Yanagi reflects on the value of everyday objects and the role of beauty in anonymous, handcrafted design. For Yanagi, objects for daily use should be simple, durable, made from natural materials, and built to last. Their beauty is not decorative but arises from function and the care invested in their making. His essays, shaped by travels through Japan and Korea, celebrate the work of artisans and uphold an aesthetic grounded in modesty and usefulness. The book offers insight into the roots of modern Japanese design, shaped by quality, anonymity, and simplicity.
The Language of things, Deyan Sudjic
In his essay The Language of Things, Deyan Sudjic examines the symbolic role of objects in contemporary culture. Design, he argues, is not only about form or function but acts as a language that speaks to identity, desire, and status. Every object can be read as a text, communicating values and worldviews. Sudjic explores the relationship between luxury and industrial production, showing how exclusivity is now shaped through refined aesthetics and narratives of authenticity. Without moral judgment, the book offers insight into the links between consumption and meaning, presenting a critical reading of everyday objects and revealing the extent to which design influences how we live, perceive, and represent the world.
Super Normal, Jasper Morrison & Naoto Fukasawa
Super Normal is a project developed by Jasper Morrison and Naoto Fukasawa, originally presented as an exhibition at Axis Gallery in Tokyo. The book gathers 204 everyday objects selected for their quiet, functional quality. Some are by designers such as Arne Jacobsen, Dieter Rams, and Isamu Noguchi, while others are anonymous. All share a restrained, durable approach to design, centered on use rather than appearance. Morrison and Fukasawa reflect on the value of objects that avoid drawing attention yet enhance daily life. Super Normal is not a style but a design attitude that favors continuity and discretion. It resists novelty for its own sake and highlights what truly works.
The Design of Everyday Things, Donald Norman
In The Design of Everyday Things, Don Norman examines why some objects are intuitive to use while others lead to frustration. His argument is straightforward: when something is difficult to use, the problem lies in its design, not in the user. Drawing on practical examples and psychological insights, Norman outlines seven key principles for effective design, including discoverability, feedback, and mapping. The book advocates for objects that communicate their function clearly, without the need for instructions. It remains a foundational text for anyone working in design, technology, or communication, offering practical tools to understand and improve the way people interact with objects in everyday life.
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