The Abc's of Triangle, Square, Circle: The Bauhaus and Design Theory

"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 new edition of a design classic on the Bauhaus with an updated preface by leading designers Ellen Lupton and J. Abbot Miller.

This intricately designed art and essay book celebrates the achievements and honors the history of the Bauhaus school and its lasting impression on architecture and graphic design around the world. The ABCs of Triangle, Square, Circle is both an homage to the school’s iconic craftsmanship and a source of inspiration for design professionals and students.

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. Ten essays by a range of creatives, including editors Ellen Lupton and J. Abbott Miller, filmmaker and graphic designer Mike Mills, and writer Tori Egherman, discuss Bauhaus’s impact on modernism, architecture, design theory, and more.

This extraordinary manual is a perfect gift for:

• Those interested in mid-century design, architecture, or color theory
• Anyone looking for unique insight into the Bauhaus’ effect on popular culture
• Students seeking information on important innovations in design history

This new edition, designed to honor the Bauhaus's aspirations, is essential for anyone interested in graphic design and twentieth-century culture. 

Ellen Lupton is Curator Emerita at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City, and founding director of the Graphic Design MFA program at Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She is the author of numerous books about graphic design, including Thinking with Type, Graphic Design: The New Basics, and Extra Bold: A Feminist, Inclusive, Anti-racist, Nonbinary Field Guide for Graphic Designers.

J. Abbott Miller uses design to explore and interpret art, architecture, performance, fashion, and design. As a partner in the New York office of Pentagram, he combines the work of editor, writer, curator, and designer. In 2014, Abbot Miller: Design and Content was published as the first comprehensive monograph of Miller’s work.