The stylish little books in our new Compact Design Portfolio series put great classic and contemporary design within everyone's grasp. Launching with four leading designers of the twentieth century--Richard Sapper, Michael Graves, Eileen Gray, and Jean Prouve--these exciting new books defy the idea that design is inaccessible. Each book contains an introductory essay addressing the designer's life and work, penned by a distinguished design writer with real knowledge of and fresh enthusiasm for the designer at hand. Subsequent pages dynamically illustrate numerous key works in photographs and sketches--from Sapper's famous Tizio lamp to Graves's Target line, Prouve's pioneering metal furniture to Gray's Rioli desk. This series will extend into future seasons with more titles featuring an eclectic mix of international design heroes. In an irresistible small format packed with images and useful information, the Compact Design Portfolio books are affordable enough to collect the entire series. At long last, here's the perfect introduction to the influential designers who changed the face of contemporary design.

Penelope Rowlands has written for several magazines, including Architectural Digest and Vogue, and her work has also appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle. She lives in Northern California. Penelope is also the author of Weekend Houses (0-8118-2543-4).

Raul Cabra is the principal of Cabra Diseno, a San Francisco design firm.

Marisa Bartolucci is former executive editor of Metropolis magazine and the author of several critically acclaimed design books. She lives in New York City.