Catherine McDermott is Professor in the School of Design at Kingston University, London and a well known writer and curator on contemporary design. Her current projects includes work for the Design Council, Museums Association and a project working with African designers and curators.

This is the essential student's guide to Design - its practice, its theory and its history. Drawing from a wide range of international examples, respected design writer Catherine McDermott explores key topics including: international design - from Europe to Africa design history - from Art Nouveau to punk sustainable design, recycling and green design; design theory - from semiotics to gender, to postcolonialism design technology, graphic design and the web. Fully cross-referenced, with up to date guides for further reading, "Design: the Key Concepts" is an indispensable reference for students of design, design history, fashion, art and visual culture.