The ABC's of Triangle, Square, Circle

“…accomplishes what the other books on the Bauhaus don't, which is to demonstrate, in concise language and clear graphics, exactly how Bauhaus design theory works in practice." —The Wall Street Journal

"A fascinating work of design theory and graphic design." —Architectural Record

"…an extremely important primer for anyone who knows the legend but not the story of the Bauhaus and its methods." —Steven Heller, The Daily Heller

A new edition of a design classic.

Originally published in 1991, The ABC’s of Triangle, Square, Circle traces the origin and impact of the Bauhaus (the legendary art school in Dessau, Germany, operational from 1919 to 1933, that transformed architecture and design around the world) in relation to design, psychoanalysis, geometry, early childhood education, and popular culture.

The text is a provocative exploration of the school’s aims and achievements, while the book itself is a manifesto of Bauhaus ideals, synthesizing editorial concept, typography, and craftsmanship.

Editors Ellen Lupton and J. Abbott Miller, whose multidisciplinary approach changed the field of design writing and research, designed this book in a manner that honors the aspirations of the Bauhaus, this extraordinary manual is a source of inspiration for design professionals and students and a revelation for all those interested in twentieth-century culture.

Includes a new Preface by Ellen Lupton and J. Abbot Miller.

Ellen Lupton is curator of contemporary design at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City and director of the Graphic Design MFA program at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore. An author of numerous books and articles on design, she is a public-minded critic, frequent lecturer, and AIGA Gold Medalist.

Editorial Reviews

CityLab

Edited by two renowned graphic designers, The ABC's of Triangle, Square, Circle lives up to its subject in its own design, which elegantly integrates copious drawings, photographs, and typographic samples.

Steven Heller, The Daily Heller

This rare beauty is among the early joint works of its illustrious editors. It is also an extremely important primer for anyone who knows the legend but not the story of the Bauhaus and its methods....The Princeton Architectural Press new hardcover version is a standard for any design history class.

Cool Hunting

From graphic design to psychoanalysis, childhood education and beyond, [the Bauhaus's] influence is undeniable. Along with typographical design, diagrams, symbols and various illustrations, [The ABCs of Triangle, Square, Circle: The Bauhaus and Design Theory] is a fascinating lesson in a wildly significant movement.

Wall Street Journal

[T]he most revealing of all the recent books on this subject might be the thinnest... The book is just 69 pages, but it accomplishes what the other books on the Bauhaus don't, which is to demonstrate, in concise language and clear graphics, exactly how Bauhaus design theory works in practice.

Financial Times (London)

[2019] was the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Bauhaus school of design in Weimar, Germany. Much more than an architectural style, the school promoted an educational theory and a strict design language. This is a reissue of a 1991 book, part design history, part playful typographic investigation into the Bauhaus process. This book will appeal to anyone particularly interested in the school's approach to graphic design, and its enduring influence.

The Financial Times

This year was the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Bauhaus school of design inWeimar, Germany. Muchmore than an architectural style, the school promoted an educational theory and a strict design language. This is a reissue of a 1991 book, part design history, part playful typographic investigation into the Bauhaus process. This book will appeal to anyone particularly interested in the school\uc0\u237 s approach to graphic design, and its enduring influence.