A classic in this field is Pevsner’s Pioneers of Modern Design: Pevsner, N. (2005) [1960] Pioneers of Modern Design, 4th ed. New Haven: Yale University Press
More recently the work of Donald Norman and Harvey Molotch offers insights into the design of day to day objects:
Norman, D. (2002) The Design of Everyday Things, New York: Basic Books
Molotch, H. (2005) Where Stuff Comes From, New York: Routledge
and Julier, G. (2014) Culture of Design, London: Sage gives a useful overview:
As well as the design history of things/objects important to your everyday life, you might also wish to explore the history of the particular material comprising your object of interest, for example:
Galindo, M. (2012) Wood: architecture and design, Salenstein: Braun
More information about the exhibitions at the Design Museum can be found at the Design Museum website.
The new exhibition, Women, Fashion, Power has been featured in a number of pieces:
Daily Telegraph article;
Guardian article.
