This tray that I found on
hmdavid's flickr is amazing to me, and I'll tell you why. In general, I find Mid-Century art to be the perfect fit for me. Most of the time it's simple, tells a story, evokes an emotion, explains the function. Also, I find that the pieces that explain something generally are my favorite. Why? Well, let's take this tray for instance. This tray could be, or does multiple things as it is.
First, it's a tray. Form is simple, but designed. Adding just the right amount of embellishment, but not to much. Second, it's not just any tray...
it's a food serving tray. How do we know? It tells you so. Third, even though it's all these things, it could simply be put on display as an art piece.
I mean...man, this is everything the Mid-Century, but especially the "modern" side of things were about. Specifically in the Post War era, people still had the "hold on to your money in case..." idea. Most things of the time were designed to be multifunctional. They also were to be sufficiently designed to ad to the overall ambient, but not be wasteful. On top of that, everything simply needed to look good and be of a good quality.
On top all this, I find a since of humor in this kind of art. Now, please understand that I'm not saying that what I'm about to say is what the designer was really thinking. This just comes from my sarcastic mind. Considering the obvious placement of art, it's almost like the designers were kind of making fun of the people using their products. Like they were saying; "Just so you know, this tray is used to carry KITCHEN ITEMS...don't confuse it with a Frisbee." Like I said,
I really don't think that's what they were thinking when they came up with the art. It's just so obvious what trays are used for, it seems some what humorous that they would spell it out in an illustrated form. Still though, I'm not complaining, it's just that that always catches my attention. Plus, if you think about it, today designers do the same thing. They write coffee and tea on mugs used for what? Coffee...and tea... What a keen idea. Still, I've done it too, and will probably continue to do it as well.
No matter if they were making fun or not. I'd be super happy to have it sitting in my home telling me that is a food tray. Oh, yeah, those graphics are awesome too.
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I'm pretty sure that I have run across this book before, it's just that there are so many books I would like to own, that I could never get them all. And, I'm just talking about in print books. Don't get me started on all the Mid-Century design and wood working books that are my favorites from that time period. A few people have said that this is probably one of the best books about Paul McCobb's furniture that you will find in reprint. Of course, it's always better to have the original. If you can find it...
, and it is just cool! I just right out dig it man. He's got a ton of other cool things too. So very cool! I had to say it again. Wish I had painted it.
, but lives it too. As for info about the photo. Well, I figure I'll let him tell you about it. Curious to know more about why he started his 
? Don't worry, you'll find out. 
".