Less and More: The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams

Now available again, this is the definitive
reference book on the work of Dieter
Rams. In his more than 40 years at Braun,
Rams established himself as one of the most
influential designers of the twentieth century.
True to the principle of "less, but better,"
his elegantly clear visual language not
only defined product design for generations,
but also our fundamental understanding of
what design is and what it can and should
do. Less and More offers boundless inspiration
for anyone interested in the aesthetic
and functional aspects of applied design.
This book elucidates the philosophy of
Dieter Rams that is best summed up in the
ten rules of design that he created more
than thirty years ago. Sometimes referred
to as "the ten commandments," they are
just as relevant today: Good design is innovative.
Good design makes a product useful.
Good design is aesthetic. Good design
helps a product to be understood. Good
design is unobtrusive. Good design is honest.
Good design is durable. Good design is
consistent to the last detail. Good design
is environmentally friendly. Good design is
as little design as possible.
Less and More features images of hundreds
of Rams’s products as well as his
sketches and models —from Braun stereo
systems and electric shavers to the chairs
and shelving systems that he created for
Vitsoe. In addition to the rich visual presentation
of his designs, the book contains
texts by international design experts that
explain how the work was created, describe
its timeless quality, and put it into a contemporary
context.