An American design critic describes the ways in which manufacturers appeal to the emotions in order to sell their products. Marketing people know that they have to trigger desire immediately - and they do so visually, creating packages that make all the right promises, through hidden messages which are intended to play on the consumer's deepest fears and desires. The book traces the art and science of package design from its emergence in the last century to today's most instantly recognizable brand images. It is aimed at students of popular culture, designers, marketing people - and anyone who goes shopping.