Embossed and foil-blocked cards no longer set the heart racing, which is why the pressure on designers to create invitations that are memorable, desirable and collectable has never been higher. RSVP explores the state of the art of modern invitation design, showing how innovative designers create the most alluring and compelling invitation material.

Of the four main sections, `Medium' looks at the many forms in which invitations appear, from composite parcels and emails to unusual materials and structures. `Message' looks at the style and method of the communication itself, from wit and intrigue to function and formality. `Target' discusses issues such as personalisation and building interest through teaser campaigns, and `Response' looks at what people do when they actually get the invitation, from reply slips, through website registration, to using the invitation itself as a pass. `Lifecycle' covers invitations to important moments in life such as birthdays, weddings and funerals, and there are practical invitation design tips.

Sara Manuelli is the features editor of UK design industry journal DesignWeek and writes for numerous magazines and national newspapers.