Texts - rams foundation

New Series Part 2

A shining example of long-lasting design: the PH5

The design of luminaires undoubtedly offers a substantial level of freedom. From a technical perspective, the relatively straightforward task of directing light in a fairly focused manner does not require great complexity. However, it is precisely this creative freedom that has led to decades of designs featuring an abundance of extravagant, experimental, or unnecessarily dynamic luminaires. Read more >

New Series Intro

Durability: Design with a Long-Term Approach

In this series, we would like to present products that have stood the test of time on the market for decades. We wish to analyse which factors, materials and properties have contributed to an item being able to demonstrate exceptional durability in both functional and aesthetic terms – and not least in economic and ecological respects. Read more >

Travelling Exhibition

‘Less, but better: Dieter Rams’ first exhibition in China’

In partnership with the Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation (BCAF), our touring exhibition Less, but better: Dieter Rams’ first exhibition in China is travelling to one of the most important production sites for world trade and therefore to one of the centres where sensible design is given a high priority—the Middle Kingdom. Read more >

Dieter Rams and Colours

FM Radio: Red-Orange

It is precisely because colours play a seemingly subordinate role in the work of Dieter Rams that they are assigned great significance. A contradiction? Read more >

New Series Part 1

‘Runs and runs and runs…’, the Braun citromatic MPZ 2 from 1972

This small, unspectacular citrus juicer, made by the Braun brand, has been manufactured unchanged for over fifty years. There are many others available on the market, with different technologies on offer for separating the juice of oranges or other citrus fruits from the rest. Long-lasting technology meets long-lasting design. And that still applies to sales today. Read more >

International Approach

Braun Design in Asia

When considering Braun’s relationship with Asia, it immediately becomes clear that the German company has oriented itself internationally from the very outset. This is true both in terms of its products and sales markets. The Volksempfänger radio, with its short range, was followed in 1933 by the Fernempfangs-Vorsatz, an attachment for the Volksempfänger in order to increase the range for European reception. The T 1000 world receiver of 1963, with which all short-wave transmitters worldwide could be received, became legendary. Read more >

Dieter Rams and Teaching

The Hamburg Years

A major chapter in the life of Dieter Rams about which little is known so far is that he was a professor of industrial design at the Hochschule für bildende Künste Hamburg from 1981 to 1997. In search of traces. Read more >

Texts by Dieter Rams

The archive contains Dieter Rams‘ manuscripts for lectures and essays. A selection of texts are reproduced here as PDFs with the original appearance and provide an insight into his thoughts on good design. Read more >