Minimalissimo

Less and More

graphic design

Epitomising minimalism in all its everything, Dieter Rams and his work is a point of reference for many a designer. Less and More is an expertly curated lens on said work. His envious body of work stretches his curious beginnings in craftsmanship, through his studies of architecture and later, to his fascination with industrial design. Less and More is the design ethos of Dieter Rams and a minimalist's dream from cover to cover. Edited by Klaus Klemp and Keiko Ueki-Polet, this Gestalten publication serves as a veritable reference of Rams’ work, philosophies and manifested ideas.

Hailing from Wiesbaden, Germany, Rams spent more than 40 years at Braun as well as Vitsœ and established himself as one of the most influential designers of the twentieth century. Less and More cements this. In both text and graphic form, this beautiful publication not only references his views on design, the beauty of less-ness, but his ten principles for 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.

Highlighting his book, in all its nostalgia and glory, is a pleasure. Filled with his work, sketches, models and a plethora of design advice, Less and More is an investment in, you guessed it, good design.

Photography by Ode to Things.

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