Design It!: The Ordinary Things We Use Every Day and the Not-So-Ordinary Ways They Came to Be

Behind the toaster, the toilet, the tub, the microwave, the camera, and countless other features of our everyday lives are smart ideas from smart people who executed them.

A bright idea of a book, Design It! is a great introduction to lots of satisfying careers from architecture to model making, to the pioneers - thank you, Mr. Cummings for the modern-day toilet! - and to the principles of good design that make life more pleasant. Rona Arato introduces young readers to the world of industrial design by focusing on our homes and by presenting the basics. She asks readers to be the judge: Does it do what it's supposed to (function)? Is it big enough, small enough, or light enough for the person who'll be using it (usability)? Is it safe and comfortable to use (ergonomics)? Does it look great (aesthetics)? And, is it eco-friendly? Equal parts fascinating history and eye-opening facts, Design It! makes for great reading and is a useful resource for those who are beginning to think about careers.

RONA ARATO was born in New York and grew up in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in magazines and newspapers in Canada and the United States. She taught elementary school in Los Angeles and Toronto, adult creative writing for the Toronto District School Board, and she has conducted business writing workshops. She was an interviewer for Steven Spielberg's project to record the histories of Holocaust survivors, Survivors of the Shoa. Rona Arato lives in Toronto with her husband.

CLAUDIA NEWELL has illustrated for publications in North America, Europe, and Japan since the mid-90s. She has also created music, fine art, and the occasional blog entry. Her interests range from yoga to the frontiers of science.