The World Design Organisation (WDO) has named Dieter Rams the recipient of the 2025 World Design Medal, recognising his profound affect on industrial design. Rams’ affect was mainly formed throughout his 34-year tenure as head of design at Braun (chronicled in a 2023 e book) and thru his work with Vitsoe, the furnishings firm he co-founded in 1959. The award was introduced at this time (9 September 2025) as a part of the World Design Congress programme in London.
Rams’ ‘Ten Rules of Good Design’ – which vary from innovation and usefulness to environmental accountability and utilizing ‘as little design as potential’ – have impressed generations of designers and formed numerous merchandise, from home items to digital interfaces (and had been explored in a 2023 exhibition at ADI Design Museum of Milan, to not point out Rams’ visitor editorship of Wallpaper’s October 2007 subject). Rams’ framework stays a cornerstone for human-centred observe.
A diffusion from Dieter Rams’ visitor editor’s part within the October 2007 subject of Wallpaper*. The designer was photographed by Matthew Donaldson at his dwelling in Kronberg on 6 August 2007
(Picture credit score: Matthew Donaldson)
The designer, 93, can also be recognized for championing worldwide collaboration, and has said, ‘Solely by means of free, trustworthy and collegial worldwide dialogue and cooperation will we have the ability to form our world sensibly sooner or later.’
‘Few designers have left a mark as indelible as Dieter Rams,’ stated WDO president Thomas Garvey. ‘His unwavering dedication to design integrity has not solely formed the objects round us but in addition the very values of our career. As this yr’s World Design Medal laureate, WDO is honoured to recognise his enduring legacy – one which continues to problem, encourage and elevate designers worldwide.’
Rams was chosen following a public name for nominations by the World Design Medal Choice Committee, composed of members from WDO’s board of administrators and senators. Established in 2017, the medal is a prestigious award honouring people who’ve made vital contributions to advancing industrial design. Previous recipients embrace German designer Hartmut Esslinger and American designer Dr Patricia Moore.
Becoming a member of this esteemed cohort, Rams stands as one of many twentieth century’s most influential design voices, having set new benchmarks for readability, performance and timelessness within the career.
Supply: Wallpaper
