From a 1984 issue of Domus Magazine, an interview with industrial designer Dieter Rams:

I know by experience that visions of the future and declarations of intent do not carry me forward. On the contrary, they impede the short steps by which I must proceed.

I’ve been posting a couple about Dieter Rams, the man is my hero, that is all.

(via Subtraction)

Over at The Telegraph, along the line of the aforelinked, here’s Dieter Rams’ regards on Apple:

I have always regarded Apple products – and the kind words Jony Ive has said about me and my work – as a compliment. Without doubt there are few companies in the world that genuinely understand and practise the power of good design in their products and their businesses.

I have always observed that good design can normally only emerge if there is a strong relationship between an entrepreneur and the head of design. At Apple this situation exists - between Steve Jobs and Jony Ive.

Apple has managed to achieve what I never achieved: using the power of their products to persuade people to queue to buy them.

I am troubled by the devaluing of the word “design”. I find myself now being somewhat embarrassed to be called a designer. In fact I prefer the German term, Gestalt-Ingenieur. Apple and Vitsoe are relatively lone voices treating the discipline of design seriously in all corners of their businesses. They understand that design is not simply an adjective to place in front of a product’s name to somehow artificially enhance its value. Ever fewer people appear to understand that design is a serious profession; and for our future welfare we need more companies to take that profession seriously.

Last week, May 20th to be precise, was Dieter Rams 80th birthday. Dieter Rams, recognised as one of the most influential industrial designers of the 20th century. And here’s the excerpt from his speech delivered in December 1976 to an audience at Jack Lenor Larsen’s New York showroom:

You cannot understand good design if you do not understand people; design is made for people. It must be ergonomically correct, meaning it must harmonise with a human being’s strengths, dimensions, senses and understanding.

Read it full here, it’s a 4 pages long pdf, worth to read it to completion. Also my favorite quote from him:

Good design is a reality!