Jasper Morrison: The Hard Life

“The Hard Life” by Jasper Morrison captures the beauty and ingenuity of everyday rural objects in pre-industrial Portugal. Featuring photographs taken by Morrison himself at the National Museum of Ethnology in Lisbon, this book reveals how necessity, craftsmanship, and generations of trial and error forged objects that perfectly balanced functionality and aesthetic form. Each piece—from handcrafted tools to simple household items—reflects a design process shaped by an instinct to strip away the superfluous, leaving only what is essential. Morrison’s thoughtful curation shows how these objects, born of humble means, achieved a level of perfection through the sheer ingenuity of their makers. By documenting these artifacts, Morrison celebrates their role in making life not just bearable, but meaningful, offering a unique insight into the purity of design in its most authentic form. A continuation of Morrison’s celebration of the ordinary, “The Hard Life” serves as both an homage to the understated beauty of ancient commodities and a profound reflection on his design philosophy—reminding us that true elegance often lies in the simplest things. Designed by the Lars Müller design team 8 ½ × 11 ¾ in 208 pages, 188 illustrations Hardcover Jasper Morrison is a distinguished English product and furniture designer known for his refined, understated aesthetic. He famously believes that “objects should never shout.” He has received the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), the second-highest honor in the UK after a knighthood, awarded for his notable contributions to design. He also holds the RDI (Royal Designer for Industry) title, the highest accolade in the UK for excellence across diverse design disciplines, recognizing his influence and impact on contemporary design.