Dieter Rams stands as a paragon of modern industrial design. His minimalist approach and dedication to functionality have left an indelible mark on the way products are conceived and appreciated. "Chances are if you've shaved with an electric razor, blow-dried your hair, or sparked up a cigarette in the past 60 years, you owe a debt of gratitude to Dieter Rams," as noted by the New York Times. This article explores the depth and breadth of his work, particularly through the lens of the catalogue raisonné, Dieter Rams: The Complete Works.
Dieter Rams: The Man and His Influence
Dieter Rams is one of the most influential product designers of the twentieth century, who, for more than sixty years, has been defining the look, feel, and function of some of the world's best-loved consumer items. Using his 'ten principles for good design' as a philosophy and practice for improving the industry in a more holistic, responsible way, Rams has a stellar reputation with global resonance.
The Ten Principles of Good Design
Central to Rams' philosophy are his "Ten Principles for Good Design," which advocate for simplicity, honesty, and longevity. These principles have guided his creations, emphasizing that good design is innovative, useful, and unobtrusive. These tenets serve as the bedrock of his design ethos, ensuring each piece not only meets functional requirements but also enhances the user's experience.
Dieter Rams: The Complete Works - A Catalogue Raisonné
Dieter Rams: The Complete Works is the ultimate reference on one of the most influential product designers of all time. This extraordinary book forms a catalogue raisonné of every product that Rams has designed in his lifetime - a true celebration of his seminal contribution to the field of industrial and product design. Made in close collaboration with Rams himself, this book is an exhaustive compilation of his life's work.
Book Overview
The 344-page book includes 300 full color illustrations, with a handful of designs receiving extra real estate. Each product is accompanied by a detailed description and specification breakdown, making this the ultimate reference guide for Rams fans and an ideal complement to Phaidon's global bestseller Dieter Rams: As Little Design as Possible. It is organized chronologically, starting with Rams' earliest surviving work--a 1947 sketch for a chair he did as a design student--and encompassing every decade of his work right up to 2020.
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Key Features of the Book
Comprehensive Collection: The book includes a blistering 277 designs, the 227 of which are fully Rams. The 50 included with other lead designers received meaningful contributions by Rams and are cleverly delineated in the book by full-bleed grey pages.
Chronological Arrangement: Presented chronologically, beginning with an armchair sketch from 1947 and ending with his 2018 re-working of the 606 shelving system’s wall-mounted desk, The Complete Works offers a clear progression of Rams' design evolution.
Detailed Descriptions: Each product is accompanied by a detailed description and specification breakdown. The repeated page structure uses one-size, one-weight of Helvetica. They rely on spacing to break apart the design’s overview, dimensions, materials, and descriptions.
Visual Feast: With over 300 images, the book documents plenty of Rams' designs that you've likely never seen before, from obscure consumer electronics products and appliances to furniture.
Contributions by Klaus Klemp
With an introduction by German professor of design theory and history Klaus Klemp, Dieter Rams: The Complete Works includes over 300 images of his most noteworthy electronics, housewares, and furniture designs including the SK sound system series, alarm clocks, calculators, lighters, and camera flashes for Braun, his razors for Gilette, and The 606 Universal Shelving System for Vitsoe. After Rams’s foreword comes Klemp’s introductory essay, “dieter rams - a catalogue raisonne of an industrial designer,” which touches on everything from Rams’s life to the histories of his longtime employers/clients, Braun and Vitsoe. Klemp explains the four phases of Rams’s career, his distinctive design characteristics, and more.
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Typographic Design
For the book’s typographic language, we investigated product labeling. The orange-red cover is a reference to the often-used color in Dieter’s work, one of the very few hues that emerge beyond black, gray, and white. Designed by Order, the team behind those uber-popular standards manuals, the repeated page structure uses one-size, one-weight of Helvetica. They rely on spacing to break apart the design’s overview, dimensions, materials, and descriptions.
Notable Products and Designs
Rams' tenure at Braun yielded some of the most iconic products of the 20th century. From sleek radios to timeless timepieces, his designs stripped away the superfluous, leaving only what was essential. The book highlights several key designs, providing context and insight into their creation.
SK 4, 1956, Mono radio-phono combination
The SK 4, a mono radio-phono combination, was a collaborative effort between Dieter Rams, Hans Gugelot, Gerd A Mu?ller, Werkstatt Wagenfeld: Ralph Michel, Helmut Warneke, Heinz G Pfaender, and Braun. This product exemplifies the era's design philosophy, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal.
606 Universal Shelving System, (RZ 60), 1960
The 606 Universal Shelving System, designed in 1960, showcases Rams' commitment to modularity and adaptability. It was a collaborative effort between Dieter Rams, Vitsoe+Zapf / sdr+ / De Padova / Vitsoe, and remains a testament to timeless design.
HZ 1, 1965, Room thermostat
The HZ 1 room thermostat, designed by Dieter Rams for Braun, exemplifies functional minimalism. Measuring 10.5 × 6 × 3 cm (4 × 2½ × 1 in) and weighing 0.2 kg (½ lb), it was made of plastic and acrylic and priced at DM 34.
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KMM 2, 1969, Coffee grinder
The KMM 2 coffee grinder, designed by Dieter Rams for Braun, features dimensions of 18.9 × 11.5 × 8.2-12 cm in diameter (7 ½ × 4½ × 3¼-4¾ in) and weighs 0.95 kg (2 lb). Made of plastic and acrylic, it was priced at DM 49.50.
Citromatic MPZ 2, 1972, Citrus juicer
The Citromatic MPZ 2 citrus juicer, designed by Dieter Rams, Ju?rgen Greubel, and Gabriel Lluelles for Braun Española, showcases functional design.
620 (RZ 62), 1962, Chair programme, high-back model with footstool
The 620 chair programme, featuring a high-back model with footstool, was designed by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe+Zapf / sdr+ / Vitsoe.
Dieter Rams’s Design Philosophy
Rams' design philosophy is rooted in the belief that design should be "Less, but better." This principle reflects his commitment to simplicity, functionality, and sustainability. He encourages designers to question the necessity of new products and to prioritize quality over quantity.
Key Questions Posed by Rams
“Some years ago, I set a series of questions regarding the design of industrial products,” he writes. “We should ask ourselves, for example, whether the product we are designing is really necessary, or if something already exists that does the job well enough, if not better. Does it really help to enrich our lives or does it only appeal to ideas of status? Is it repairable? Is it durable? Easy to use and flexible in its use? Can I master it easily or does the new product dominate me? “That last question is one I find particularly relevant today,” Rams goes on. “The primary insight I have gained in my sixty years as a designer, and through my experiences with both companies and end users, is a simple one: ‘Less, but better.’ We should surround ourselves with fewer things, but better things.
Dieter Rams’s Personal Life
Dieter and Ingeborg Rams private residence, Kronberg, Germany, 1971, Dieter Rams.
Other Books on Dieter Rams
For those wishing to delve deeper into his work, three comprehensive books offer valuable insights. Dieter Rams: The Complete Works provides an exhaustive look at his extensive portfolio, capturing the essence of his design journey. Braun: Designed to Keep focuses on the enduring partnership between Rams and Braun, highlighting products that have stood the test of time. Sophie Lovell’s excellent book Dieter Rams: As Little Design as Possible. Klaus Klemp’s Less and More: The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams.