Kenneth Grange: Designing the Modern World

The definitive celebration of the work, life, and times of Sir Kenneth Grange, one of the most revered, innovative, and influential industrial designers of the modern age.

This is the definitive celebration of the work, life, and times of Sir Kenneth Grange (born 1929), one of the most innovative and revered industrial designers of the modern period and an enduring influence on today’s younger creators, including Sir Jonathan Ive.

For decades, Kenneth’s iconic products―including the InterCity 125 train for British Rail, the TX1 London black taxi, domestic appliances for Kenwood, lighting for Anglepoise, cameras for Kodak, pens for Parker, and mail boxes for Royal Mail, among many others―have been at the center of tastemaking and key to the establishment of Britain’s worldwide postwar reputation as an influential hub of design excellence.

For many years, design specialist Lucy Johnston has had personal contact with Kenneth Grange, giving her privileged access to this giant among postwar designers. Based on a series of in-depth discussions, Kenneth Grange: Designing the Modern World explores Grange’s work through his own eyes, illustrated with doodles, sketches, scale models, and product photographs. The story is set in its social, political, and creative context, introducing the figures who have inspired, commissioned, and worked alongside Grange as his designs helped to shape our modern-day consumer culture.

536 color illustrations