author
Amor Fenn
1863–1933
An influential British designer, illustrator, and teacher, Amor Fenn brought the principles of architecture and historic ornament to a wide audience. His practical books remain valued for their clear guidance on pattern, applied arts, and creative design.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Amor Fenn (1863–1933), also known as William Amor Fenn, was a British designer, illustrator, and metalwork craftsman associated with the Arts and Crafts movement. His designs for wrought-iron brackets, grilles, lanterns, and architectural features were exhibited by the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society in 1889 and 1890.
Fenn was closely connected with Goldsmiths’ Art School in New Cross, London, where he taught design and book illustration before becoming headmaster from 1925 to 1929. He was also recognized as an illustrator and educator whose teaching helped prepare students for professional careers in the applied arts.
His books include Design and Tradition (1920), a survey of architecture and the applied arts, and Abstract Design: A Practical Manual on the Making of Patterns (1930). His writing emphasizes careful observation, knowledge of historic styles, practical materials, and the development of a personal design sense.