Contemporary furniture design has enjoyed growing popularity in the last fifteen years, both in Britain and internationally. "The Furniture Machine" looks at the furniture industry since 1990 and at design trends in the period to unravel its appeal, from minimalism to blobjects. The major designers of the period are featured, including Philippe Starck, Ron Arad and Marc Newson, while attention is given to the innovations of Italian manufacturers, such as Cappellini and B&B Italia, and the increasing influence of conceptual design, from the theoretical proposals of Droog Design to the commercial products of Moooi.

About the Author

Gareth Williams is the author of Branded? (V&A 2000) and co-curated and contributed to the exhibition and book Brand.New (V&A 2000). He also curated the highly successful contemporary furniture exhibition at the V&A, Milan in a Van.