What to read after American Design in the Twentieth Century?

During the 20th century, the most compelling and contradictory features of American design were its classlessness and its appeal to status and desire. This text presents the story of how design evolved as a profession and as a leisure activity, reflecting the national traditions of self-improvement and self-expression. It demonstrates how design in the affluent culture of North America is as much about personalization of the material world as it is about the performance and appearance of manufactured goods.