As designers, our work is influenced by many things including our environment, our personal life experiences, media, and most noteablly – the work of iconic designers. I draw creative energy from all types of design, especially fashion and industrial design. Below are a few designers who have influenced work of mine in the past.
Industrial Designer – Dieter Rams
Dieter Rams was strongly influenced by the presence of his grandfather, a carpenter. Rams once explained his design approach in the phrase “Weniger, aber besser” which translates as “Less, but better”. By producing electronic gadgets that were remarkable in their austere aesthetic and user friendliness, Rams made Braun a household name in the 50’s. He is considered to be one of the most influential industrial designers of the 20th century. Many of his designs — coffee makers, calculators, radios, audio/visual equipment, consumer appliances and office products — have found a permanent home at many museums over the world, including MoMA in New York. Ram’s 10 Principles of Good Design are outlined here.
Graphic Design – David Carson
David Carson is one of the most famous graphic designers in the world. He is known for his work in magazine design and used a lot of new and innovative typography. He has won over 170 awards in graphic design. His experimental style was influenced by California’s bohemian, free-spirited culture and he used this to the highest level in his non-mainstream photography and typography.
Fashion Design – Gianni Versace
Flamboyant and very Italian, Gianni Versace was born in December of 1946 in Reggio di Calabria, Italy. Gianni’s mother owned a tiny tailoring shop, and she supported her children through her sewing. The young Versace watched and learned as a boy, adopting techniques that he would put to exemplary use later on. Influenced by art, Gianni Versace drew inspiration from ancient Roman and Greek paintings and sculpture, as well as modern abstracts and Pop Art – producing bold, current designs using color, prints, and careful fitting that accentuated the lines of the body.
Car Designer – Battista Farina
Battista “Pinin” Farina was an Italian automobile designer, the founder of the Carrozzeria Pininfarina coachbuilding company, a name associated with many of the best-known postwar sports cars including Ferrari, Peugeot, Jaguar and Cadillac. Pinin formed Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930 to focus on design and construction of new car bodies, and quickly gained prominence. Battista’s work for Ferrari, starting in 1952, would become his most famous. The last design personally attributed to Battista Farina was the iconic Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 Duetto. This was first seen by the public at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1966.