BeautyBooksElectronicsHome & KitchenSports & OutdoorsIndustrial & ScientificToys & Games
Deliver toUnited Arab Emirates
Arts & Crafts Design

Description:

Originally published in 1916 when the Arts & Crafts movement was in its heyday, this is a virtual textbook of materials, color, techniques, and designs. Arts & Crafts Design is a practical guide to the creation of high-quality, high-style furnishings through the industrial arts.

"In this relativistic age in which de gustilrie non disputandum est (it is undisputed that each person has their own sense of taste), it is refreshing to look back to the early twentieth century when at least a few people were certain that there are universal rules for good art and also that they had themselves mastered these precepts and could pass them on to a society that loved commonly held values. William H. Varnum was one of those people. He offers here a textbook that will, if followed, allow students to 'directly apply well-recognized principles of design to specific materials and problems.' No situation esthetics here. In fact, he followed these principles in designing the logos representing his tools and ratio system on the cover of his book.

"The publisher of this new edition has added a useful foreword and substitued the title Arts and Crafts Design for the original (1916) Industrial Arts Design, an appropriate modification since the term "industrial" suggests factory production whereas Varnum referred to objects that today we call "Craftsman"--Rookwood pottery, Stickley furniture, Jarvie candlesticks, etc. A delightful touch is that Varnum included pictures of these objects alongside the principles by which he believed they were designed. Varnum's book offers an enlightening, if somewhat technical, insight into thinking about design before World War I. There is no doubt that the Arts and Crafts period during which the principles of simple beauty married so neatly with function can be better understood and appreciated today through Varnum's perceptions."

Robert Winter

Read more

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Contents Divisions of Industrial Arts Design The Primary Mass and Its Proportions Horizontal Major Divisions of the Primary Mass Vertical Major Divisions of the Primay Mass Appendages and the Rules Governing Them Enrichment of the Contours or Outlines of Designs in Wood Enrichment of the Contours or Outlines of Designs in Clay Enrichment of the Contours or Outlines of Designs in Base and Precious Metals Surface Enrichment of Small Primary Masses in Wood Surface Enrichment of Small Primary Masses in Wood (continued) Surface Enrichment with Minor Subdivisions of Large Primary Masses in Wood Surface Enrichment of Clay Surface Enrichment of Precious Metals. Small Flat Planes Surface Enrichment of Large Primary Masses in Base and Precious Metals Color: Hue, Value, and Chroma; Stains Color and Its Relation to Industrial Arts Design. Large Surfaces of Wood; Wall and Ceiling Areas Color and Its Relation to Industrial Arts Design. Small Surfaces in Clay and Metal Complete Summary of Rules Appendix Index

From the Back Cover

"In this relativistic age in which de gustilrie non disputandum est (it is undisputed that each person has their own sense of taste), it is refreshing to look back to the early twentieth century when at least a few people were certains that there are universal rules for good art and also that they had themselves mastered these precepts and could pass them on to a society that loved commonly held values. William H. Varnum was one of those people. He offers here a textbook that will, if followed, allow students to 'directly apply well-recognized principles of design to specific materials and problems.' No situation esthetics here. In fact, he followed these principles in designing the logos representing his tools and ratio system on the cover of his book.

"The publisher of this new edition has added a useful foreword and substitued the title Arts and Crafts Design for the original (1916) Industrial Arts Design, an appropriate modification since the term "industrial" suggests factory production whereas Varnum referred to objects that today we call "Craftsman"--Rookwood pottery, Stickley furniture, Jarvie candlesticks, etc. A delightful touch is that Varnum included pictures of these objects alongside the principles by which he believed they were designed. Varnum's book offers an enlightening, if somewhat technical, insight into thinking about design before World War I. There is no doubt that the Arts and Crafts period during which the principles of simple beauty married so neatly with function can be better understood and appreciated today through Varnum's perceptions."

Robert Winter

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!

D. · January 16, 2024

A great book that delineates the simplest to the most complicated designs, breaking down each line and curve to build upon the whole big picture. Very useful for inspiring some personal projects I plan on doing.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good past examples

j.k. · October 25, 2025

Solid read

5.0 out of 5 stars An Indispensable Resource!

D.P.F. · July 31, 2008

Varnum's book is an absolute must for the beginning designer. I recommended it in my book Greene & Greene: Design Elements for the WorkshopKindergarten Chats And Other Writings.There are many valid methods and formulas for unlocking the secrets of design, but their practical application can often be vague. This is where Varnum succeeds in a big way - his rules are simple and easy to apply in the real world. They lay down an essential foundation for the beginning designer.As much as I like Varnum's book though, I must interject a word of warning here. The basic rules of design (such as Varnum's) cannot be ignored, but they cannot be adhered to as if set in stone either. If intuition is not allowed to play a part in the creative process, your designs will likely appear sterile and lifeless. Intuition that is not tempered with an understanding of the basic rules though will falter and fall short. The rules and intuition need one another, but in the end intuition must be allowed to rule the day.Louis Sullivan (who was called "the Master" by Frank Lloyd Wright's) said:"......formulas are dangerous things. They are apt to prove the undoing of a genuine art, however helpful they may be in the beginning to the individual. The formula of an art remains and becomes more and more rigid with time, while the spirit of that art escapes and vanishes forever. It cannot live in text-books, in formulas or in definition"Louis Sullivan (1902) from:Kindergarten Chats And Other WritingsMy suggestion for the beginning designer is to read and practice the rules such as Varnum's until they are fused into your very being - until your sub-consciousness "feels" the rules.Then put the book down and never open it again - let your intuition rule.

4.0 out of 5 stars Provides a fine foundation for those designing in wood, clay and metal, and/or those with an interest in Arts & Crafts design.

J.B. · January 31, 2018

Varnum's volume provides instruction in formal DESIGN PRINCIPLES that one might have gotten from a trade school education. The principles are presented systematically and are provided for design in wood, clay and metal. The book is well illustrated (B&W), with drawings and photographs of Art & Crafts-era examples. Discusses design rules relating to horizontal & vertical divisions, surface contours and surface enrichment.

5.0 out of 5 stars Arts& Crafts Restoration and Project Source

R.G. · November 16, 2004

If you are restoring a Craftsman Bungalow home or furniture or are building new versions, and need DETAILS of "how they did it", then this book is a must.It is written to a hands-on audinece, for people interested in creating items with the distinctive Arts& Crafts design detail.Ceramics, jewelry, metal-smithing (copper) etc, are also covered in a very complete review of the Craftsman style esthetic. To the point of including color formulas for wood stains, ceramic glazes and building instructions for simple woodworking and metal fabrication projects.THIS IS THE REAL THING!, Not a modern review, or opinion.If you want a coffee table book with big color pictures,and not too many words, then move on to another selection.If you need a concise beginner/intermediate source for Arts & Crafts era design elements, give this one a try....Just in case you want to know a bit of why I have such a strong approval of this book, I have a background in art/architecture/design which started as I grew up in the Belmont Shores burb of Long Beach, CA...in a Craftsman Bungalow home. I have worked in the design trade for 20 years, with 2 Bungalow restoration projects currently in progress in California... it's an educated, and more importantly, an experienced opinion.If you are a student or a trades person interested in the Arts & Crafts style, you will probably keep this book in reach as sourcebook.Crafters, woodworkers, metal smith-ey, potters...will enjoy making one or two of the projects detailed in the chapters!

2.0 out of 5 stars this book is OK but you'll have to go to a website like "gutenberg. org" and search under the original title

D.C. · June 5, 2016

This paperback, a "reprint" of "Industrial Arts Design: A Textbook of Practical Methods..." by Gibbs-Smith, omits the original title page (with the original title) and most importantly omits the three color plates which, therefore, makes the final three chapters rather worthless. The reprint publisher makes no mention of these omissions. Additionally, the reproductions of the plates which are photographs are *very* poorly done to the point that some of the text in the photos is almost illegible. The text and line drawings are clear. If you must have a printed copy of this text, this book is OK but you'll have to go to a website like "gutenberg.org" and search under the original title, i.e., "Industrial Arts Design" to locate the color plates. Plate 64 originally appeared between pages 196-197, plate 65 between pages 204-205, and plate 66 between pages 212-213 -- this will help you locate the color plates, the locations of which are not referenced in the original book. (Warning: There are a number of other web copies of the original book, but the Google copy [from the University of Wisconsin, I believe], which appears at a number of cites, lacks one of the color plates and reproduces another of the color plates only in black and white; additionally their copies of the photos are not well done.)

Visit the Gibbs Smith Store

Arts & Crafts Design

Product ID: U0879056991
Condition: New

4.3

AED14001

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Type: Paperback
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Similar suggestions by Bolo

More from this brand

Similar items from “Decoration & Ornament”

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/U0879056991

Visit the Gibbs Smith Store

Arts & Crafts Design

Product ID: U0879056991
Condition: New

4.3

Arts & Crafts Design-0
Type: Paperback

AED14001

Price includes VAT & Import Duties
Availability: In Stock

Quantity:

|

Order today to get by 7-14 business days

Delivery fee of AED 20. Free for orders above AED 200.

Returns & Warranty policies

Imported From: United States

At BOLO, we work hard to ensure the products you receive are new, genuine, and sourced from reputable suppliers.

BOLO is not an authorized or official retailer for most brands, nor are we affiliated with manufacturers unless specifically stated on a product page. Instead, we source verified sellers, authorized distributors or directly from the manufacturer.

Each product undergoes thorough inspection and verification at our consolidation and fulfilment centers to ensure it meets our strict authenticity and quality standards before being shipped and delivered to you.

If you ever have concerns regarding the authenticity of a product purchased from us, please contact Bolo Support. We will review your inquiry promptly and, if necessary, provide documentation verifying authenticity or offer a suitable resolution.

Your trust is our top priority, and we are committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in every transaction.

All product information, images, descriptions, and reviews originate from the manufacturer or from trusted sellers overseas. BOLO is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an authorized retailer for most brands listed on our website unless stated otherwise.

While we strive to display accurate information, variations in packaging, labeling, instructions, or formulation may occasionally occur due to regional differences or supplier updates. For detailed or manufacturer-specific information, please contact the brand directly or reach out to BOLO Support for assistance.

Unless otherwise stated, all prices displayed on the product page include applicable taxes and import duties.

BOLO operates in accordance with the laws and regulations of United Arab Emirates. Any items found to be restricted or prohibited for sale within the UAE will be cancelled prior to shipment. We take proactive measures to ensure that only products permitted for sale in United Arab Emirates are listed on our website.

All items are shipped by air, and any products classified as “Dangerous Goods (DG)” under IATA regulations will be removed from the order and cancelled.

All orders are processed manually, and we make every effort to process them promptly once confirmed. Products cancelled due to the above reasons will be permanently removed from listings across the website.

Description:

Originally published in 1916 when the Arts & Crafts movement was in its heyday, this is a virtual textbook of materials, color, techniques, and designs. Arts & Crafts Design is a practical guide to the creation of high-quality, high-style furnishings through the industrial arts.

"In this relativistic age in which de gustilrie non disputandum est (it is undisputed that each person has their own sense of taste), it is refreshing to look back to the early twentieth century when at least a few people were certain that there are universal rules for good art and also that they had themselves mastered these precepts and could pass them on to a society that loved commonly held values. William H. Varnum was one of those people. He offers here a textbook that will, if followed, allow students to 'directly apply well-recognized principles of design to specific materials and problems.' No situation esthetics here. In fact, he followed these principles in designing the logos representing his tools and ratio system on the cover of his book.

"The publisher of this new edition has added a useful foreword and substitued the title Arts and Crafts Design for the original (1916) Industrial Arts Design, an appropriate modification since the term "industrial" suggests factory production whereas Varnum referred to objects that today we call "Craftsman"--Rookwood pottery, Stickley furniture, Jarvie candlesticks, etc. A delightful touch is that Varnum included pictures of these objects alongside the principles by which he believed they were designed. Varnum's book offers an enlightening, if somewhat technical, insight into thinking about design before World War I. There is no doubt that the Arts and Crafts period during which the principles of simple beauty married so neatly with function can be better understood and appreciated today through Varnum's perceptions."

Robert Winter

Read more

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Contents Divisions of Industrial Arts Design The Primary Mass and Its Proportions Horizontal Major Divisions of the Primary Mass Vertical Major Divisions of the Primay Mass Appendages and the Rules Governing Them Enrichment of the Contours or Outlines of Designs in Wood Enrichment of the Contours or Outlines of Designs in Clay Enrichment of the Contours or Outlines of Designs in Base and Precious Metals Surface Enrichment of Small Primary Masses in Wood Surface Enrichment of Small Primary Masses in Wood (continued) Surface Enrichment with Minor Subdivisions of Large Primary Masses in Wood Surface Enrichment of Clay Surface Enrichment of Precious Metals. Small Flat Planes Surface Enrichment of Large Primary Masses in Base and Precious Metals Color: Hue, Value, and Chroma; Stains Color and Its Relation to Industrial Arts Design. Large Surfaces of Wood; Wall and Ceiling Areas Color and Its Relation to Industrial Arts Design. Small Surfaces in Clay and Metal Complete Summary of Rules Appendix Index

From the Back Cover

"In this relativistic age in which de gustilrie non disputandum est (it is undisputed that each person has their own sense of taste), it is refreshing to look back to the early twentieth century when at least a few people were certains that there are universal rules for good art and also that they had themselves mastered these precepts and could pass them on to a society that loved commonly held values. William H. Varnum was one of those people. He offers here a textbook that will, if followed, allow students to 'directly apply well-recognized principles of design to specific materials and problems.' No situation esthetics here. In fact, he followed these principles in designing the logos representing his tools and ratio system on the cover of his book.

"The publisher of this new edition has added a useful foreword and substitued the title Arts and Crafts Design for the original (1916) Industrial Arts Design, an appropriate modification since the term "industrial" suggests factory production whereas Varnum referred to objects that today we call "Craftsman"--Rookwood pottery, Stickley furniture, Jarvie candlesticks, etc. A delightful touch is that Varnum included pictures of these objects alongside the principles by which he believed they were designed. Varnum's book offers an enlightening, if somewhat technical, insight into thinking about design before World War I. There is no doubt that the Arts and Crafts period during which the principles of simple beauty married so neatly with function can be better understood and appreciated today through Varnum's perceptions."

Robert Winter

Reviews:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!

D. · January 16, 2024

A great book that delineates the simplest to the most complicated designs, breaking down each line and curve to build upon the whole big picture. Very useful for inspiring some personal projects I plan on doing.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good past examples

j.k. · October 25, 2025

Solid read

5.0 out of 5 stars An Indispensable Resource!

D.P.F. · July 31, 2008

Varnum's book is an absolute must for the beginning designer. I recommended it in my book Greene & Greene: Design Elements for the WorkshopKindergarten Chats And Other Writings.There are many valid methods and formulas for unlocking the secrets of design, but their practical application can often be vague. This is where Varnum succeeds in a big way - his rules are simple and easy to apply in the real world. They lay down an essential foundation for the beginning designer.As much as I like Varnum's book though, I must interject a word of warning here. The basic rules of design (such as Varnum's) cannot be ignored, but they cannot be adhered to as if set in stone either. If intuition is not allowed to play a part in the creative process, your designs will likely appear sterile and lifeless. Intuition that is not tempered with an understanding of the basic rules though will falter and fall short. The rules and intuition need one another, but in the end intuition must be allowed to rule the day.Louis Sullivan (who was called "the Master" by Frank Lloyd Wright's) said:"......formulas are dangerous things. They are apt to prove the undoing of a genuine art, however helpful they may be in the beginning to the individual. The formula of an art remains and becomes more and more rigid with time, while the spirit of that art escapes and vanishes forever. It cannot live in text-books, in formulas or in definition"Louis Sullivan (1902) from:Kindergarten Chats And Other WritingsMy suggestion for the beginning designer is to read and practice the rules such as Varnum's until they are fused into your very being - until your sub-consciousness "feels" the rules.Then put the book down and never open it again - let your intuition rule.

4.0 out of 5 stars Provides a fine foundation for those designing in wood, clay and metal, and/or those with an interest in Arts & Crafts design.

J.B. · January 31, 2018

Varnum's volume provides instruction in formal DESIGN PRINCIPLES that one might have gotten from a trade school education. The principles are presented systematically and are provided for design in wood, clay and metal. The book is well illustrated (B&W), with drawings and photographs of Art & Crafts-era examples. Discusses design rules relating to horizontal & vertical divisions, surface contours and surface enrichment.

5.0 out of 5 stars Arts& Crafts Restoration and Project Source

R.G. · November 16, 2004

If you are restoring a Craftsman Bungalow home or furniture or are building new versions, and need DETAILS of "how they did it", then this book is a must.It is written to a hands-on audinece, for people interested in creating items with the distinctive Arts& Crafts design detail.Ceramics, jewelry, metal-smithing (copper) etc, are also covered in a very complete review of the Craftsman style esthetic. To the point of including color formulas for wood stains, ceramic glazes and building instructions for simple woodworking and metal fabrication projects.THIS IS THE REAL THING!, Not a modern review, or opinion.If you want a coffee table book with big color pictures,and not too many words, then move on to another selection.If you need a concise beginner/intermediate source for Arts & Crafts era design elements, give this one a try....Just in case you want to know a bit of why I have such a strong approval of this book, I have a background in art/architecture/design which started as I grew up in the Belmont Shores burb of Long Beach, CA...in a Craftsman Bungalow home. I have worked in the design trade for 20 years, with 2 Bungalow restoration projects currently in progress in California... it's an educated, and more importantly, an experienced opinion.If you are a student or a trades person interested in the Arts & Crafts style, you will probably keep this book in reach as sourcebook.Crafters, woodworkers, metal smith-ey, potters...will enjoy making one or two of the projects detailed in the chapters!

2.0 out of 5 stars this book is OK but you'll have to go to a website like "gutenberg. org" and search under the original title

D.C. · June 5, 2016

This paperback, a "reprint" of "Industrial Arts Design: A Textbook of Practical Methods..." by Gibbs-Smith, omits the original title page (with the original title) and most importantly omits the three color plates which, therefore, makes the final three chapters rather worthless. The reprint publisher makes no mention of these omissions. Additionally, the reproductions of the plates which are photographs are *very* poorly done to the point that some of the text in the photos is almost illegible. The text and line drawings are clear. If you must have a printed copy of this text, this book is OK but you'll have to go to a website like "gutenberg.org" and search under the original title, i.e., "Industrial Arts Design" to locate the color plates. Plate 64 originally appeared between pages 196-197, plate 65 between pages 204-205, and plate 66 between pages 212-213 -- this will help you locate the color plates, the locations of which are not referenced in the original book. (Warning: There are a number of other web copies of the original book, but the Google copy [from the University of Wisconsin, I believe], which appears at a number of cites, lacks one of the color plates and reproduces another of the color plates only in black and white; additionally their copies of the photos are not well done.)

Similar suggestions by Bolo

More from this brand

Similar items from “Decoration & Ornament”

Share with

Or share with link

https://www.bolo.ae/products/U0879056991