What is design, actually? How do the various schools such as Art Nouveau, Bauhaus, Art Deco, or Functionalism differ from one another? What exactly does the principle "form follows function" mean? This clearly written and richly illustrated introduction to the history of design provides answers. The book portrays the most important designers—from William Morris to Ettore Sottsass—while also explaining the key movements, from the emergence of design during the Industrial Revolution through Biedermeier to Postmodernism. Thomas Hauffe explains the interplay between technical developments and historical economic contexts, social changes, and aesthetic strategies in a way that is both accessible and knowledgeable.