Rec League

Arun Venkatesan

Two perspectives on the designer Steve Jobs could not hire

Two perspectives on the designer Steve Jobs could not hire

An essay exploring the contrasting design philosophies of two influential German industrial designers from the 1970s and '80s.

1 person recommends this

Recommended by

  • seán patrick john paul george ringo doran
    seán patrick john paul george ringo doranFirst to rec

    “It goes like this. In the 1970s and ’80s, the soul of product design was in the hands of two Germans. One was a minimalist who reduced products to seductive shells with their features rubbed smooth, and occasionally gave them nicknames like Snow White’s Coffin. The other, far from hiding the technical nature of these products, revelled in it. His designs were black and boxy, they had sophisticated moving parts, and they wore their technicality on their sleeve. — Justin McGuirk, The black box syndrome”

    1

Related

Dieter Rams on things he does not like

Dieter Rams on things he does not like

2
Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in His Own Words

Make Something Wonderful: Steve Jobs in His Own Words

2
Helvetica

Helvetica

192
Star Wars: A New Heap

Star Wars: A New Heap

1
Autoprogettazione?

Autoprogettazione?

13
35 Years of Product Design Wisdom (with Bob Baxley)

35 Years of Product Design Wisdom (with Bob Baxley)

2
Mon Oncle

Mon Oncle

3
Atelier Hi-Fi System

Atelier Hi-Fi System

How to See

How to See

22
Picnic Posters

Picnic Posters

91
Notes on the Synthesis of Form

Notes on the Synthesis of Form

8
Works in Progress

Works in Progress

2
ExploreJournalSitemapAboutDevelopersTermsPrivacySupport

© 2026 Lyric Technologies, Inc.