Dieter Rams

Few designers have left a mark as indelible as Dieter Rams. From his 34-year tenure as Head of Design at Braun to his projects with Vitsœ, the furniture company he co-founded in 1959, Rams is widely regarded as one of the most influential design voices of the 20th century, having set new standards for clarity, functionality and timelessness in design.

Championing a design ethos of ‘less but better’, Rams’ Ten Principles of Good Design have guided generations of designers, influencing everything from household products to digital interfaces, and continue to serve as a touchstone for design that is both human-centred and enduring.

Throughout his life, Rams has been the subject of numerous international exhibitions, lectures, and publications, including the influential Less but Better. His work has been acquired by major institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the London Design Museum, cementing his role in the global design canon. He also held a professorship at the Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg from 1981 to 1997. 

With a lifetime of accolades including the Honorary Royal Designer for Industry, Compasso d’Oro Career Award, IKEA Prize, Lucky Strike Designer Award, iF Design Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as recognition from design councils worldwide, Rams’ legacy lies not only in the objects he created but in the enduring principles he articulated. As 2025 recipient of the World Design Medal, WDO is honoured to recognize his enduring design influence, vision and leadership.