The appearance and attractiveness of a design product depend to a large extent on the surface design. The texture changes both its form and significance. The sheen of the Panton Chair Classic is what sets it apart, colourful eloxated aluminium is reminiscent of sports equipment, metallic paint on cars or finger nails, patina suggests ageing. Besides conveying such emotions through visual and tactile stimuli, functional coatings also react with their environment. As required, they have an adhesive effect, act as a water repellent, provide antibacterial protection or conduct heat. How do designers use this creative potential? Make up presents design classics from the collection of the Museum für Gestaltung Zürich in dialogue with products of contemporary designers like Konstantin Grcic, Alfredo Häberli, Ross Lovegrove, Jasper Morrison or Kenya Hara. • Exhibition in Zurich (25.08.2010 – 02.01.2011) 96 Seiten/pages, Sprache/language: deutsch/english, 24,90 Euro