Wednesday, December 16, 2009

As Little Design As Possible

.

Dieter Rams in conversation with Deyan Sudjic (be sure to stick around and check out the portable record player). London's Design Museum is exhibiting a selection of Rams' work for Braun and Vitsœ through March 17, 2010.

When I was about, I don't know, 12-years-old, I got this Braun alarm clock.

Instead of hitting a snooze button, you yell at the little speaker/microphone – 'shut it' or whatever you want to say – and it snoozes for 7 minutes. Then it goes off again and you get up and do your paper route. Sadly the arms have somehow warped a little bit (would have been nicer if they were metal...) so it doesn't work anymore, but I can't bring myself to get rid of it. Eh.

Dieter Rams' Ten Principles of good design:

1. Good design is innovative.

2. Good design makes a product useful.
3.
Good design is aesthetic.
4. Good design makes a product understandable.

5. Good design is unobtrusive.


6. Good design is honest.
7. Good design is long-lasting.

8. Good design is thorough down to the last detail.

9. Good design is environmentally friendly.

10. Good design is as little design as possible.

2 comments:

Kyle Johnson said...

katie and i were just discussing the snooze of our alarm today.. that one looks much more satisfying

great lil vid as well

Valéry Lorenzo said...

"La cuisine du gaphiste" posted an article concerning Rams. (for people who can understand French)...
http://www.lacuisinedugraphiste.net/2009/12/moins-et-plus.html

Best regards