Imaginative Design – Yesterday’s Tomorrow by Benjamin Jay Shand

Explored across six chapters, Yesterday’s Tomorrow encapsulates the essence of imaginative design seen throughout the 20th century. Alongside illustrator Eliza Gosse, designer and writer Benjamin Jay Shand of Studio Shand investigates the ways design has been imagined throughout the years.

Yesterday’s Tomorrow offers an evocative insight into “the minds of the paradigm pushers who worked across mediums to change the look and feel of things in the years to come,” explains Benjamin. From the chapters Dwelling, Sharing, Furnishing, Working, Moving and Playing, the book invokes a visual stimulation for readers to discover design and how it has impacted our lives today. From Matti Suuronen, Consafe Engineering, Tao Gofers and Chrysalis, the book offers a thoroughly researched collection of 20th century designers. Accompanying commentary by Benjamin weaves together each chapter, journeying the reader through discourse that explores good design, how it was imagined and built, and how it continues to have a substantial impact.

Alongside illustrator Eliza Gosse, designer and writer Benjamin Jay Shand of Studio Shand investigates the ways design has been imagined throughout the years.

To tell the story of ever-imaginative design, Benjamin and Eliza spent over five years meticulously researching and gathering artists, designers and creators to fill the book’s pages. “The thousands of designs that had been amassed were obsessively reinvestigated with new copy written and then categorised to form the Yesterday’s Tomorrow chapters,” explains Benjamin. The pair researched “20th century design through old negatives, magazines and advertisements, chronicled via Design Television on Instagram in 2015.” He adds, “we felt there was a real need to go back and honour the physical reference with a book of our own.” Yesterday’s Tomorrow was then released in a limited run and delivered through sustainable methods. “We worked with Carbon8 to have this initial edition produced locally and beautifully.”

Gifting design enthusiasts with the limited-edition collection of iconic imaginations, Yesterday’s Tomorrow is a contemporary reflection on what constitutes interesting, creative and good design. The book is available for purchase online at Design Television and retailed at select locations in Australia.