Dieter Rams: As Little Design as Possible

Dieter Rams shaped modern design through reduction. During his tenure as Braun's head of design (1961-1995), he articulated a vision of functional minimalism that transcended mere aesthetics. His approach centered on the belief that design serves human experience by eliminating excess, transforming everyday objects—from coffee makers to calculators—into studies of essential form. This design language, developed at Braun and through his furniture work for Vitsœ, resonates in contemporary design, notably in Apple's industrial design principles. This monograph examines Rams' enduring influence through carefully considered documentation. The volume's design reflects its subject matter: precise typography, considered negative space, and photography that reveals both structural clarity and material nuance. Each spread demonstrates the systematic thought behind Rams' work, from product development to his codification of design principles. The book's physical form—from paper selection to bindi