New Autodesk book explores the changing world of design

SAN RAFAEL, CALIF. — Autodesk Inc. introduced the new book, "Imagine, Design, Create: How Designers, Engineers and Architects Are Changing Our World," at the TED2011 Conference in Long Beach, Calif.

Edited by Autodesk Fellow Tom Wujec, "Imagine, Design, Create" explores the innovative thinking behind the work of a wide range of companies and designers, ranging from the world’s largest and most established companies to new and emerging designers. The book includes hundreds of beautiful images and illustrations, as well as interviews with industry leaders and innovators using fresh design approaches and new design capabilities to create buildings, products and entertainment experiences.

“We are delighted to be working with Autodesk on a rare look at the thrilling bigger picture through design, starring many of the characters who have lit up the TED stage in recent years,” said Chris Anderson, TED curator.

Wujec added that “Design has become a transformative force in the world. In fact, an organization’s capacity to design — not just in the sense of ‘styling,’ but of discovering new solutions, creating real value and producing innovative solutions — has never been more important. Advancing technology is now changing how people design.”

Book Excerpt:
“The growth and rapid change in technologies such as 3D printing, network connectivity, bioinformatics, genomics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, robotics, and mobile computing, among others, will accelerate the evolution of design in the coming years. Fundamental shifts in how we work together, already emerging in our always connected, socially networked lives, are also altering the practice of design… Our world will increasingly be shaped by the degree to which designers are able to create smart, effective, and elegant solutions that improve what that world looks like, how well it functions, and what it’s like to live in it. The future surely will transform design — but it’s just as certain that design will transform the future, by visualizing, optimizing, giving shape to, and ultimately creating a world that, for now, we can only imagine.”

"Imagine, Design, Create" was produced by Melcher Media, an innovative and expert print and digital content producer. Contributors include Warren Berger, author of Glimmer: How Design Can Transform Your Business, Your Life, and Maybe Even the World, together with a team of journalists, including Alex Frankel, Bob Parks and Jessie Scanlon. The book’s infographics were created by Brian Ford and Mark Freeman.

"Imagine, Design, Create: How Designers, Engineers and Architects Are Changing Our World" will be available this spring through popular distribution channels.

For more information about Autodesk or TED, please visit www.autodesk.com, or www.ted.com, respectively.