Dieter Rams

Dieter Rams was born in 1932 in Wiesbaden, Germany. His grandfather was a carpenter, a great influence in the early years of his life, stimulating his love for the creation of objects:

«My grandfather created with his hands, his forms were simple but very beautiful; this is what I have always wanted to do. I became a designer because I wanted to create things».

In 1947 he began his studies of architecture and interior design. In 1953 he took a degree at the Werkkunstschule of Wiesbaden, after having also spent three years as an apprentice carpenter, to gain practical experience. In 1953-55 he worked in Frankfurt in the architecture studio of Otto Apel. In 1955 his adventure in the Braun factory began, where he created a style: «Actually – he says in interviews – I did nothing on my own. For example, there were important connections with the university. I have also been lucky, because I began and stopped at the right time».

His long career with the German manufacturer, from 1955 to 1997, is the reason for his nickname, Mr. Braun. 
 When a new design gallery was opened at MoMA New York in 1964, an exhibition was held of the entire line of Braun products, many of them by Dieter Rams. In 1968 he was named Honorary Designer for Industry by the Royal Society of Arts of London. From 1981 to 1997 he taught Industrial Design at the University of Hamburg. Since 1988 he has been Chairman of the German Design Council. In 1991 he was awarded an honorary degree by the Royal College of Art of London; since 1992 he has been a member of the board of directors of ICSID (International Council of Societies of Industrial Design).

In 1996 he received the World Design Medal of the Industrial Designers Society of America. He has won many other honors, and many books have been published on his work. Most of his designs for Braun are included in the collections of the world’s leading museums: MoMA NY, Berlin, London and Amsterdam.