Designed in the USSR: 1950-1989: from the collection of the Moscow Design Museum

There are few books on Soviet design so this volume is welcome and brings together a panoply of items from the last 40 years of the USSR. Although the Scientific Research Institute of Scientific Aesthetics tried to develop a Soviet design culture it was faced with an economic system with its five-year plans and factory directors reluctant to change to a better design. Many products were reverse engineered and "Sovietised" from western examples but nevertheless there were innovative conceptual projects. While function and utility were they key driving forces creativity still managed to flourish. The book is in three parts, first the "Citizen" which showcases the everyday domestic and consumer products. Secondly the "State" which focuses on items which reveal something about the state-controlled system of design and the third part "World" are USSR products on the international stage. Most of the items in the book went on display at the Moscow Design Museum in 2012 and attracted a considerable audience.

One good thing about the covid lockdown is I've taken the change to spend the money I would have spent on going out to the pub and to gis on some great books instead, and this one is up there with the best. The book has been divided into three separate sections (Citizen, State and World), and includes 350 images covering 4 decades. I found the whole book captivating, and there's some incredible examples of Russian design (including my personal favourite, the Saturnas vacuum cleaner that inspired by the Sputnik satellite) and some amazing cars, consumer electronics and children's toys. If you have any interest in life behind the Iron Curtain or design at all then you won't be disappointed with this book. The only complaint is it could be more in depth - I'd have liked more text to explain the context of the items as I ploughed through it in a single day and was left wanting more. Nevertheless a great read and recommended.

Great insight into the ephemera of the soviet block. The industrial design is fascinating. I'd have liked not oily to see the labels and wrappers of items but also to see the social or commercial context of the design. Nevertheless enthralling.

This is my sons “Easter Egg”. He’s a design student and loves the Russian concept within design. His FMP (final major project) before Uni was linked to Russian Constructivism and this book was to help. Unfortunately, with Covid19 the FMP has been cancelled, but the book is a worthy addiction for his and his studies. He loves it and has so many ideas from reading it.

One of the best books on design that I have ever seen. Minimalistic, clean layout, wide range of examples, perfect balance of info & images, overall a joy to read.

If you are into Soviet nostalgia, this book is for you. Hundreds of photos of vintage home appliances, toys, movie posters, cars, stereo systems, etc. Even the paper used in the book, feels kind of cheap and vintage.

It’s such an informative book. Love it to bits

A well put together dive into the world of Soviet design, a great book both on the inside and outside.

El libro muy bueno, llego un poco maltratado pero me lo cambiaron por uno nuevo y perfecto! Super

What a wonderful book... But the first piece I ordered had torned edges on the bookcover. I choosed to change it, but the second book was also torned at the edges of the bookcover. A real pity!

A book that starts to make justice to the "other world", a world that was very creative in his own way, not only the west has to mark the pace in design and art. I only regret the scarce information about the items exposed they deserve a little research in depth, this must be improved in the coming times.

Pieno d’immagini che ricostruiscono la vita degli oggetti di ogni giorno ai tempi dell’URSS è un vero spaccato di vita quotidiano che dimostra come questo stile, un misto tra icone bizantine, bauhaus, avanguardismo, fascinazione spaziale e ristrettezze economiche fosse per molti aspetti irripetibile. Il libro poi è un classico Taschen: impaginazione perfetta è molto gusto tipografico.

Perfecto