Amazon.com description: Product Description: This unique and visually informative book examines how design elements, themes, and styles from different decades of the 20th century influence and play a part in contemporary design. Each section focuses on a specific era from the past 100 years, studies and presents the icons and design influences of that era, and evaluates the effectiveness of the elements in the work of today's top designers and design firms. Graphics, colors and icons continue to repeat themselves over time; the trends in modern design, which seem so original are drawn directly from years gone by. Each project featured examines the design concept, inspiration, and purpose of the design, discussing the special effects the designers are trying to achieve with an eye toward historical accuracy.