Reading list

Explore interior-design masterpieces around the globe from the 1940s to today with this unique geographically arranged survey – discover iconic rooms in 9 continental regions in this ground-breaking survey spanning more than 50 countries

This unparalleled global survey features more than 400 of the most inspirational residential rooms from the past eight decades. With the work of icons of interior design past and present, such as Kelly Behun, Stéphane Boudin, Jacques Grange, Peter Marino, Brigette Romanek, Studio KO, Faye Toogood, Axel Vervoordt, and Kelly Wearstler, the more than 400 interiors featured in this innovative book also include a selection of fascinating and virtually unknown interiors from Australia, Africa, Asia, and beyond. From classic to contemporary, minimal to maximal, the homes included, together with the author’s insightful commentary, illuminate the design tropes unique to their location’s context, while others confound preconceived ideas of vernacular design to spectacular effect.

Find out more about Atlas of Interior Design by Dominic Bradbury →

The most exciting new buildings today are almost all environmentally aware, sustainable, and conceived to consume less energy than ever before. Discover the best examples of green projects from the Architecture Now! series in this handy Bibliotheca Universalis edition.

Celebrated architects like Frank Gehry and Norman Foster are presented alongside young up-and-coming creators from all over the world. Filled with plans, renderings of proposed projects, and stunning architectural photography, this is nothing short of an encyclopedia of eco-design.

From a water treatment facility to an art museum, luxurious holiday homes to commercial structures, these buildings all make a bold environmental statement. Being “green” means being aware of the responsibility in the construction and use of modern buildings; some solutions are as old as the history of architecture, while others are born of cutting-edge technologies. Explore these approaches and many more in this groundbreaking collection showcasing 100 of the world’s most innovative eco-friendly buildings.

Find out more about Green Architecture by Philip Jodidio →

Since the 1990s, fashion imagery has evolved from the aspirational and glamorous into an experimental genre created by interdisciplinary artists, art directors, and photographers. The domestic space or where we live has acquired a key role as an intimate setting for this kind of playful exploration, in which personal stories are told, and fashion shots gain authenticity. Illustrated interviews with or editorials on twenty-two established and newer image-makers offer exceptional insights into this phenomenon. Featured photographers include Corinne Day, Tierney Gearon, Clifford Prince King, and Tina Barney, to name a few.

For three decades, the fashion image has shifted its focus from high-end shoots to the idiosyncratic, Instagram-style practice of pictures taken at home. That home may be a house, apartment, or room—often, though not always, the antithesis of glamour and gloss. The Domestic Stage captures this fascination with the home as an “uncurated” setting for presenting an individual’s private life and relationships, and for professional commissions with edge. How this space merged with the fashion image is revealed through the words and work of twenty-two such image-makers. They include the pioneering Nigel Shafran; International Magic, who created virtual fashion shows with Martine Rose during the pandemic; and Carrie Mae Weems, whose 2024 Bottega Veneta campaign truly came “home”—to show A$AP Rocky enjoying time with his children. Each contributor’s commentary is candid and revealing, their images even more so. The result is a provocative new take on fashion photography and its transformation in recent years.

Find out more about The Domestic Stage – When Fashion Image Comes Home by Adam Murray, Charlotte Cotton →

Toshio Ban (Author), Tezuka Productions (Author), Frederik L. Schodt (Translator)

OtakuUSA Magazine, a respected authority on anime and manga culture, highlights this biography as “Top-notch… This one’s not just a must-own. It’s a must-actually-read-from-start-to-finish.” Their endorsement reflects a deep appreciation for the book’s detailed exploration of Osamu Tezuka’s impact on manga and anime. This recommendation comes from extensive expertise in the field, signaling the book’s value in understanding the medium’s foundational history. Otakus and Geeks also praises it as “heartwarming and inspirational,” emphasizing its appeal to those passionate about Tezuka’s legacy and the art form.

Find out more about The Osamu Tezuka Story: A Life in Manga and Anime →

A flexible, chronological history of art across Asia. Organized chronologically, The History of Asian Art: A Global View covers the diverse art produced across all of Asia, including East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, in one volume. With a strong visual focus, two expert authors encourage readers to develop and apply art historical skills to Asian art. Twelve “Seeing Connections” help students make cross-cultural connections both within Asia and with cultures outside Asia.

Find out more about The History of Asian Art by Deborah Hutton, De-nin D. Lee →

The first comprehensive English-language survey of contemporary art from Korea, showcasing 120 artists, museum and gallery directors, curators, and collectors

Despite its small geographical size, Korea has perhaps the most sophisticated contemporary art scene in Asia. In recent years, its vibrancy has been lighting up the whole world, with artists such as Do Ho Suh, Kimsooja, Michael Joo, and Koo Jeong-A emerging as major players on the international art scene. This book profiles these and many other acclaimed figures as well as such up-and-coming artists as Lee Yong Baek, Jeon Joohno, and Moon Kyungwon. Interviews with influential curators, like Doryun Chong and Seungduk Kim, as well as the heads of some of the country’s leading arts institutions, round out the text.

Find out more about Korean Art. The Power of Now by Hossein Amirsadeghi, Marcelle Joseph →

The dazzling colors and patterns of the art of the Pacific Islands have long entranced Western audiences, including artists such as Paul Gauguin and Pablo Picasso. In Oceanic Art, Nicholas Thomas looks beyond the familiar, stunning surfaces of spears and shields, carved canoe prows and feather capes to discover the significance of art, past and present, for the people of the Pacific.

In this second edition, which includes a new chapter on globalization and contemporary art, Thomas shows how each region is characterized by certain art forms and practices—among them Maori ancestral carvings, rituals of exchange and warfare in the Solomon Islands, the production of barkcloth by women in Polynesia—even as it is shaped by influences from within the Pacific and beyond. The dynamism and diversity of the art are reflected in the illustrations accompanying this revelatory text, from works that evoke the most deep-rooted customs to those that address contemporary political issues.

Find out more about Oceanic Art By Nicholas Thomas →

Author: Christa Lichtenstern

Henry Moore is one of the key figures in modern sculpture. Christa Lichtenstern’s authoritative study explores the sculptor’s guiding principles and considers his artistic development, from his study of Greek antiquity and his fascination with early Italian sculpture to his interest in English heritage and culture.

Christa Lichtenstern is Director of the Kunstgeschichtlichen Institut at the University of Saarbrucken, Germany.

Find out more about Henry Moore: Work – Theory – Impact →

Author: Steve Krug

Since its publication in 2000, Steve Krug’s «Don’t Make Me Think» has guided web designers and developers in creating intuitive navigation and design. Known for its wit, practicality, and common sense, it remains a beloved resource.

Krug now updates the classic with new examples and a chapter on mobile usability, while maintaining its concise, illustrated, and enjoyable style.

Whether you’ve read it before or not, «Don’t Make Me Think» remains essential for web professionals.

Find out more about Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (3rd Edition) by Steve Krug →

Phaidon Editors (Author), Simon Parkin (Introduction), India Block (Contributor)

An A to Z of Video Games – 300 Influential Entries

This visual history of video games covers the industry from the mid-20th century to the present, highlighting key advances in technology, gameplay, graphics, and design.

Simon Parkin introduces gaming history, and 300 entries, selected by industry experts, showcase influential games, consoles, and publishers. Each entry includes background, cultural impact, and facts, with unexpected connections through A to Z organization.

A glossary, select biographies, and icons illustrate relationships between entries. The book explores how gaming evolved from a niche hobby to a global phenomenon, influencing popular culture.

Find out more about Game Changers: The Video Game Revolution →