From past to present, these German design stalwarts are still creating a storm in their product and furniture design industries.

Visionary Designer

The German industrial designer Richard Sapper (1932 – 2015) left an unmistakable impression on the design world with his inventive and valuable works. Born in 1932, Sapper studied philosophy, anatomy, and engineering before receiving a business degree from the University of Munich. He started his career at Daimler Benz in Stuttgart before moving to Milan to work for architect Gio Ponti and the avant-garde department store La Rinascente.

Sapper’s cooperation with Italian architect Marco Zanuso resulted in renowned designs for Brionvega, including the TS 502 radio and the Grillo telephone for Siemens. His work included experimental autos for Fiat and pneumatic constructions for Pirelli, demonstrating his ability to solve complicated technical challenges.

Sapper joined IBM as chief industrial design consultant in 1980, where he created the ground-breaking ThinkPad laptop line. His designs, which combine simplicity and technical innovation, are appreciated in museums worldwide, notably the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Sapper’s legacy continues through his numerous accolades, including 11 Compasso d’Oro prizes, and his lasting effect on current design. His work inspires designers and demonstrates his imaginative approach to industrial design. His latest work is a re-edition of the Halley table lamp that offers 6 joints to provide 360-degree rotation designed for Stilnovo.

Lighting Genius

Ingo Maurer (1932 – 2019), a beacon in the field of lighting design, has been illuminating rooms since 1966 with his poetic, hilarious, and technologically inventive designs. Born in Germany, Maurer’s art is renowned for its whimsical charm and technical excellence. His designs, which range from the classic “Bulb” to the humorous “Mamo Nouchies” series, demonstrate his strong appreciation for Japanese art and passion with paper.

Maurer’s installations have been included at renowned events such as Milan Design Week, where his “Travelling Flowair” exhibit wowed spectators with its examination of wind and movement. His work is practical and narrative, combining light, colour, and shape to transform environments into experiences.

With over 150 lighting designs to his name, Maurer’s contributions to the area have been recognised worldwide, establishing him as an authentic design pioneer. His legacy inspires designers and light aficionados alike, demonstrating that lighting is both an art and a science. His works, shown in homes, galleries, and public areas worldwide, demonstrate his idea that light, in all forms, can elicit emotion and inspire the imagination. Ingo Maurer is stocked at Space Furniture.

Bauhaus-influenced Designer

Dieter Rams (1932), a renowned industrial designer, was born in Wiesbaden, Germany. Rams attended the Wiesbaden School of Art and studied architecture before focusing on industrial design. In 1955, he joined the German consumer goods giant Braun, where his impact would grow dramatically. During his 40-year tenure at Braun, Rams created over 500 devices, including the innovative SK4 Phonogram, sometimes known as “Snow White’s Coffin,” and the T3 pocket radio, which became functionalist symbols.

Rams is best known for his design philosophy, embodied in the statement “less, but better.” This notion guided his approach to designing things that were not only visually appealing but also extremely practical and long-lasting. He expressed this philosophy in his famous Ten Principles of Good Design, which promote innovation, usefulness, aesthetic simplicity, understandability, unobtrusiveness, honesty, longevity, meticulousness down to the last detail, environmental friendliness, and as little design as possible.

His work at Braun was distinguished by clean, minimalist aesthetics that have left an indelible impression on modern design. Notably, he has influenced the work of Apple’s Jony Ive, among others. Rams’ designs stressed the value of user experience, pushing for simple and intuitive goods.

Rams’ contributions to design have been recognised worldwide, with his work on display in prominent museums such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. His legacy is represented in the numerous products he developed and in the ongoing relevance and implementation of his design concepts in modern design methods. Rams has made an unmistakable impression on the design world with his unwavering devotion to simplicity and practicality.

Craftsmanship & Perfection

Stefan Diez (1971), a visionary German industrial designer, has made significant contributions to the design world with his inventive and ecological creations. Diez was born in 1971 in Freising, Germany, into a family with a strong tradition of artistry, which inspired his approach to design. He began his career as a cabinetmaker before studying industrial design at the State Academy of Fine Arts Stuttgart, where the great Richard Sapper mentored him.

2003 Diez founded his design studio, DIEZ OFFICE, in Munich. His broad portfolio includes furniture, lighting, and exhibition design, demonstrating a balance of usefulness, aesthetics, and sustainability. Diez has collaborated with famous businesses like Brunner, HAY, Herman Miller, Magis, Thonet, and Vibia to create a range of classic items. Some of his notable designs are the “Upon Bench,” recognised for its graceful shape and utility, the “Model No. 404” chair, which illustrates his commitment to material efficiency, and the “AYNO” lamp, known for its inventive use of materials and flexibility. His THIS and THAT series of chairs designed for e15 also gained clout in design circles.

Diez’s design philosophy is based on the concepts of circular design, emphasising the significance of developing sustainable and flexible goods. His approach considers a product’s complete lifecycle, from development to disposal, to ensure minimal environmental impact. This concept is reflected in his art, which frequently incorporates sustainable materials and new production procedures.

Diez is a devoted educator who shares his knowledge and love for design with the next generation. He has taught at prestigious universities such as Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design and Lund University and currently heads the Industrial Design department at the University of Applied Arts Vienna. Diez’s latest creations include the Kaldewei + e15 Oak Bathroom Furniture range and the sleek and compact Costume modular sofa designed for Magis.

Young & Radical

Sebastian Herkner, born in Bad Mergentheim, Germany, in 1981, has had an impressive career in design. Herkner studied Product Design at HfG Offenbach University of Art and Design, where he gained a strong affinity for the interaction of materials, colours, and textures. This foundation was strengthened while working for Stella McCartney in London, where he honed his ability to combine traditional craftsmanship with new technology.

In 2006, Herkner opened his own design firm in Offenbach am Main, specialising in furniture, lighting, and interior design. His work is distinguished by a unique ability to respect traditional craft skills while combining contemporary aspects. This strategy has resulted in collaborations with prestigious brands such as Ames, And Tradition, Cappellini, ClassiCon, Dedon, Duravit, Fontana Arte, Gubi, Janus et Cie, Moroso, Poltrona Frau, Rosenthal, Thonet, Wittmann, and Zanotta.

Herkner’s designs are not only artistically appealing but also reasonably practical. Notable work include the “Bell Table,” an unusual combination of glass and metal, and the “118 Chair” for Thonet, a modern spin on a traditional design. His designs have won him numerous awards, including the renowned IF Award, the Iconic Award, and the Elle Deco International Design Award (EDIDA).

In addition to his product designs, Herkner has contributed substantially to exhibition design, producing immersive and thought-provoking environments that enrich the viewer’s experience. His work has been featured in major design exhibits and institutions, including the Vitra Design Museum and Die Neue Sammlung in Munich, demonstrating his impact on the worldwide design environment.

Herkner’s commitment to sustainability is evident in his design process, which involves carefully selecting materials and methods with a low environmental impact. His ability to draw inspiration from diverse cultures and rework ancient processes in contemporary forms has cemented his position as a key figure in modern design. Sebastian Herkner’s inventive and sustainable approach continues to push the boundaries of design, inspiring both industry experts and design enthusiasts. Three of Herkner’s notable works include the Dedon Mbrace outdoor lounge chair and Moroso Pipe armchairs, both stocked at Xtra and the ClassiCon Bell side tables stocked at Space Furniture.

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