Origin of Design: Braun’s Design Concept and Background [Rare, Japan]

Origin of Design: Braun’s Design Concept and Background by Shutaro Mukai and Shukuro Habara, July 31, 1978. 1st ed., with publisher’s slipcase. Japan Management Association, Toyko, Japan. 8.25 x 8.5, pp. 353 with Japanese text only.

Rare. Heavily illustrated throughout with approx. 336 color and black and white photographs and illustrated works featuring: extensive examples of Braun products, Max, Erwin and Arthur Braun, Hochschule für Gestaltung Ulm, Inge Aicher–Scholl, Otl Aicher, Max Bill, Hans Gugelot, Fritz Eichler, Dieter Rams, Wolfgang Schmittel, Braun offices and studios and much more. The section devoted to Braun communications from 1958–1974 features illustrated pages from the Braun Corporate Identity Guidelines and an extensive selection of photographs of product brochures and booklets (covers and interior pages), in-house posters, packaging, advertising and publicity, exhibition design, signage and more — excellent!

With a preface by Shutaro Mukai and chapters on: Braun’s Design Policy; Founder Max Braun, Brothers Erwin and Arthur Braun; Braun’s Posture and Corporate Attitude; Product Design Flow; Communication and Standards; Visual Design and Corporate Image; Design Principles, Philosophy and Teamwork; Prototype Meanings; The Future of Braun after 1973; What is Quality; Chronology and a Postscript. Please note: these chapter titles are loosely translated from the Japanese text and each includes multiple sub-sections which are not listed.

Mukai attended the Ulm School of Design (HfG), Germany during 1956-57 before moving to the Institute of Industrial Design, Hanover. In 1967, at the Musashino Art University (MAU), he established the Department of the Science of Design, modeled after the HfG and focused on the study of design in its relationship with multidisciplinary scientific fields.

A near fine black cloth hardcover and very good plus publisher’s slipcase with matching silver foil stamped text. A few marks and light wear to the covers with moderate rubbing to the bottom of the slipcase. Pages are bound tightly with slight handling to the early and late pages ... otherwise, a fresh copy!