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This new series celebrates the V&A's status as a source of inspiration for designers, reflecting the unique breadth and depth of a collection that represents over 3,000 years of objects from all over the world. The pocket-sized books make attractive and collectible gifts, but are also a valuable source of ideas for designers of all kinds. The first four titles in the series feature some of the museum's most popular patterns, from William Morris wallpapers to 1950s textiles, and a short introduction to each puts the patterns in context. Complete with a free CD of the images inside, to be redrawn or reworked, commercial designers looking to license patterns and individual motifs from the collection can use the books as a starting point for research.

Beautiful Thing presents a broad introduction to design theory and practice. Historical, contextual, philosophical, technical, visual, and practical approaches to design are often presented separately. But each approach impacts on others and together they are critical to a rounded understanding of design. Beautiful Thing presents a clear synthesis of these approaches, explaining all the basic concepts and allowing the reader to connect the different elements of Design. Both lively and accessible, the book takes the reader step by step through the key topics of taste, design evolution, composition, color, drawing, communication and expression. Superbly illustrated, the book includes a range of detailed design case studies. In addition, theory boxes, placed at intervals, summarize necessary but complex ideas. A glossary and guides to further reading are also included. The book will be invaluable as a broad introduction for students of all branches of design.

This is a pocket guide to the wealth of symbols and icons that have been used around the world from primitive times to the modern day. Taking a regional approach, the book examines the origins, style and meaning of the most significant symbols used in the art of different cultures. It breaks down each region by theme and analyses the types of symbols in each subject area. The symbols are shown in the context of beautiful art and as individual glyphs, allowing the reader to study everything from Egyptian hieroglyphs and Chinese characters through to Western heraldry and hagiography. Related symbols are cross-referenced to ensure that the reader can study fascinating cultural constrasts as well as thematic sets of symbols.

This book narrates the evolution of textile pattern through the historyof manmade design. It studies the decorative art of pattern across a range of cultural aesthetics embracing Egyptian, Greek and Roman motifs, Asian and Middle Eastern as well as Western designs from medieval times up to the present. The chapters are thematic and include geometric, floral, natural forms, and abstract patterns. Each subject is broken down into chronology and region to explore the contrasts and repetition within each thematic chapter. All in all, this is an excellent pocket guide to the subject of textile patterns.

From surfing to the secret life of rats, Extreme Science will excite and inspire 8-11 year olds. High-interest topics grab the reader and introduce some key science concepts in an accessible and innovative way. The action-packed pages are designed to motivate struggling and reluctant readers, and a reading age of 7 makes the content super-accessible. Extreme titles are ideal for supporting creative classroom teaching and for spicing up topic libraries.

From Surfing to the Secret Life of Rats, Extreme Science will excite and inspire 8-11 year olds. High-interest topics grab the reader and introduce some key science concepts in an accessible and innovative way. The action-packed pages are designed to motivate struggling and reluctant readers, and a reading age of 7 makes the content super-accessible. Extreme titles are ideal for supporting creative classroom teaching and for spicing up topic libraries.

This book is a practical primer to looking at architecture and all the elements that are included in buildings, from cornices and friezes tocolumns and porticos — all facets of buildings are included. Each chapter takes an architectural element and looks at its variety across various historical periods and geographical locations. Examples are shown through dozens of fine engravings with extended captions,creating a dip-in read and an effective I-Spy guide. Additional sections look at the clues offered by history, geography and religion (with a timeline showing how and where architectural elements have been introduced), and at the significance of the ornaments.

The poster was a key medium in the Cold War, used to produce both fear and loyalty at home and abroad. Posters of the Cold War surveys poster design from the late 1940s when the 'Iron Curtain' was drawn across Europe to the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union in the early 1990s. Featuring over seventy designs by some of the leading artists and graphic designers of the period including Pablo Picasso, Grapus Design Collective and Peter Kennard, posters have been selected from twenty countries to demonstrate the wide international reach of the conflict.

Modernism: Designing a New World is the first book to explore Modernism in the designed world from a truly international perspective, and across all the arts. It offers a reassessment of the idea of Modernism and reveals the fundamental ways in which it has shaped our own world and its visual culture. Modernism flourished during the years 1914 to 1939. As a movement it was the key point of reference for 20th century architecture, design and art. Modernists had a Utopian desire to create a better world, frequently combined with social and political beliefs that design and art could transform society. The range of objects illustrated — including painting, sculpture, film, photography, prints and collage as well as architecture, interiors, furniture, manufactured products, graphic and fashion design — reflect the period's emphasis on the unity of the arts and the key role of the fine arts in shaping contemporary visual culture.Europe and America take centre stage but the reach of Modernism is demonstrated by selected works from around the world, including Russia, Palestine and Japan.

This book explores Cold War fashion in all its aspects, ranging from innovations in materials to the cybernetic visions of the 1960s, from the bikini to the spacesuit, vinyl radiation suits to high-tech jewellery, Paco Rabanne to Barbarella. Set in the context of art, film, science and design, Pavitt explores how the image of the body was shaped by Cold War concerns — atomic anxieties, the space race, technological developments and the first forays into 'hyper-reality.' With a stunning selection of images alongside military, political and scientific research, the book shows how counter-cultural theories and experiences in the later 1960s shaped an alternative view of the 'Cold War Body'.

This workbook has been designed to help students at lower-intermediate level improve and build their English vocabulary, and is particularly appropriate for those studying towards the popular PET (Preliminary English Test) examination. It can be used to test and improve general English vocabulary, and includes both self-study exercises and practical speaking activities for classroom use.Includes a range of activities to help students revise vocabulary for the popular PET examination (Preliminary English Test), and provides an excellent source of material to help students improve their vocabulary and understanding of English. Clear and easy-to-use, with full instructions and quick-reference contents page, and ideal for both self-study and classroom use including teacher-directed group work. Includes teachers' notes and stimulating exercises such as word games, puzzles, quizzes and crosswords.

This comprehensive dictionary covers a wide range of topics related toaccountancy, including personal finances, investments and company accounts. Ideal for students of accountancy, users without a background in accounting and those working in company accounts departments.

Illustrated by Caroline Pedlar, this is a wonderful collection of new stories from celebrated authors such as Adele Geras, Michael Broad and Alan Durant, all on a Christmas theme. Perfect for reading aloud in front of a cracking log fire. Ages: 5-8yrs.

More than three decades after his death, the Spanish couturier Cristobal Balenciaga (1895-1972) has become a legendary figure in the history of 20th century fashion. His name is now a byword for clothes executed to the highest standards and characterized by their sculptural quality, deft manipulation of textiles, and dramatic use of colour. This absorbing new book, with breathtaking illustrations, examines Balenciaga's design and business practice, placing him firmly in the context of the time and country in which he learnt his trade and the international fashion scene in which he subsequently matured and triumphed. It accompanies the major exhibition The Golden Age of Couture, opening at the V&A in September 2007.

This revised edition contains over 5,000 terms used by air traffic controllers, pilots, cabin crew, maintenance crews, ground staff and other airline personnel. Designed for those specialising in aviation and related industries, including trainee pilots, maintenance engineers and other professionals, this dictionary has all the words you need. 'For those in need of a handy reference for everyday work, this new release should prove most useful.' — Aviation News.

This is a playscript set in Tudor times. A disparate group of people from all levels of Tudor society are on their way to London Town for different reasons. We have a professional actor, a doctor, a thief, a cook, and a serving wench. On the way a host of disasters happen to them. Will they ever reach their destination?

Check Your Vocabulary workbooks are aimed at non-native speakers who want to build essential vocabulary and learn to speak fluent and natural-sounding English. For example, in English we use different words to describe different types of food when they go bad. We can describe meat as rotten, cheese as mouldy, milk as sour and butter as rancid — but we would not say sour meat, or rotten milk. Knowing how words are naturally used together is known as collocation. A good knowledge of these word combinations greatly improves the style of written and spoken language for non-native speakers. Knowledge of collocations is often tested in exams such as IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC. Containing a range of word games, quizzes and exercises, this workbook will help intermediate learners to develop core language skills in a challenging, yet entertaining way.

This workbook features a range of activities to help students learn and revise non-technical English vocabulary, essential for the study of any subject at a UK university. Self-study exercises and practical classroom activities are included, making it easy to revise classroom knowledge at home. Containing a range of word games, crosswords, quizzes and exercises, this workbook will help build vocabulary confidence in a fun, memorable way. Check Your Vocabulary for Academic English is a must-have workbook for all non-native English speakers wishing to expand their language skills.

This workbook provides exercises to help teach and build English vocabulary relevant to the hotel, tourism and catering industries. It has been written both for students studying towards professional exams and for those who want to improve their specialist communication skills. The material covers general and topic-specific vocabulary, as well as grammar and use of English, comprehension, pronunciation and spelling. Together with the companion Dictionary of Leisure, Travel and Tourism (0-7475-7222-4), this workbook provides a complete package to help students improve their specialist English.

With over 8,000 terms and expressions, this best-selling dictionary provides clear, concise and fully up-to-date information on all aspects of civil, criminal and commercial law. Examples and encyclopedic comments help to explain complex terms from British, European and US legal procedure. A recommended text for a number of law courses, this book is ideal for students and all professionals who need to understand legal terminology, especially non-native speakers of English.

Thirty creative textile projects that are suitable to be hung and framed. The book aims to inspire readers to look at the use of textiles as a medium for creating innovative graphic artwork. The projects combine applique with patching, surface embellishment (with buttons, beads, trimmings and wire), knitting and machine and hand-embroidery techniques. The projects range from the very easy to those that will prove a bit more of a challenge. The book is filled with photos showing how different effects can be achieved. There are also suggestions on how to modify the projects in order to personalise them. Also included are discussions of materials, equipment and techniques which the maker will find useful. All in all, this is a book filled with imaginative projects which will work both as a source of inspiration and information.

This workbook provides a range of exercises to help learners of English at intermediate level and above learn and review essential vocabulary used in business and administration. It is particularly suitable for students or overseas-trained business and administration staff who want to work in an English-speaking country, or whose work brings them into regular contact with English-speaking business people. It is also ideal for students who are planning to take the BEC Vantage/Higher exam, the TOEIC or one of the LCCI International Qualifications.

Reading, like travelling, takes you on a journey of discovery into new places, cultures and ways of living. This book brings those two worlds together. It is a literary exploration of global proportions, a rich survey of the finest novels set or written in other countries. Hundreds of titles are featured from every continent and you can browse by region, city or travel related theme. Whether you are travelling abroad or simply expanding your range of reading, this guide will enable you to see the world through the eyes of some the finest foreign writers. Nik Kalinowski and Vincent Cassar are two booksellers and writers who have applied their passion for foreign fiction to present their best picks from the thousands of titles available. The guide includes the very best world fiction that has stood the test of time from 1900 onwards. Arranged by continent, then by country, key titles are described, followed by read-on suggestions. You can also browse by major cities or travel related topic. This guide is a starting point for your own literary journey through culturally rich and diverse landscapes.

Being able to make good decisions is an essential workplace skill. Whatever your job, there will be times when you need to analyse an issue, get to grips with it, and decide on the best course of action. This book helps you do that effectively, even if time is tight. Practical and helpful, «Make effective decisions» will help you get to the heart of the matter, ask the right questions, avoid procrastination, and cope with pressure so that you reach the best solution possible, every time.