provides an insight into the minds of 18 of the world´s most distinguished designers working today. The book comprehensively explores what makes these designers critically and commercially successful. Moreover, it poses the question: do designers possess a special something in their genetic make up-´cultural DNA´-that makes them flourish in the contemporary design world? presents personal narratives of each designer´s cultural development, providing a comprehensive overview of the iconic influences used in today´s design practice. Each designer has been interviewed about their influences and sources of inspiration - buildings, products, films, artists, books, cars, music, magazines, people. As such the book provides a unique and accessible introduction to how inspiration works within and informs our modern world.