The links between contemporary design, history and the imagination form the background for this beautiful and unprecedented exploration of Design Art. Addressing works by designers including Jurgen Bey, Tord Boontje, Dunne + Raby and Studio Job, Gareth Williams explores how overtly functional objects - 'designed' objects - can be made to carry meanings and associations, or tell tales. As contemporary design practice, the art market and art itself become more and more integrated, reflecting the merging of art, craft and design, this exciting book offers a valuable and perceptive assessment of our ability to read Design Art objects with the critical tools traditionally associated with painting, sculpture and literary theory.