By casting designers as authors, cultural critics, activists, entrepreneurs, and global cartographers, Essin tells a story about scenic images on the page, stage, and beyond that helped American audiences see the everyday landscapes and exotic destinations from a modern perspective.

Introduction: Design as Cultural History 1. The Designer as Author 2. The Designer as Cultural Critic 3. The Designer as Activist 4. The Designer as Entrepreneur 5. The Designer as Global Cartographer

Christin Essin is Assistant Professor of Theatre and Theatre History at Vanderbilt University, USA.