This one is for the designers, decorators and architects (and possibly ardent design fans). Material ConneXion is a well illustrated resource book full of new materials, some applied. I've seen catalogs and sample books of materials with the usual rendered 3D drawings of the material "in situ". ConneXion goes further, it shows the real thing by real designers using materials in unthought of, creative ways; from Charles Worthen's sculptures made entirely of silicone caulking to Royal Tichelaar's glass and ceramic Droptiles. I don't want to mislead, the book is mostly raw materials and technical info, punctuated with examples of applied materials. The exhaustive list of materials is well illustrated and presented in seven different categories from Carbon-based to Polymers. Hardcover, 288 pages, $80.00 at Amazon.

+ Material ConneXion at Amazon