Luigi Colani (1928 - )
Related: biomorphism - design - industrial design
The earth is round, all the heavenly bodies are round; they all move on round or elliptical orbits. This same image of circular globe-shaped mini worlds orbiting around each other follows us right down to the microcosmos. We are even aroused by round forms in species propagation related eroticism. Why should I join the straying mass who want to make everything angular? I am going to pursue Galileo Galilei's philosophy: my world is also round. --Luigi Colani.
Circle Kitchen Unit (1968) - Luigi Colani
Truck designed by Colani
Biography
Luigi Colani, (born in Berlin on August 2, 1928 as Lutz Colani), is a Swiss-German industrial designer whose father comes from Madulain near St. Moritz in Switzerland and mother from Poland.
The prime characteristic of his designs are the rounded, organic forms, which he claims are ergonomically superior to traditional designs. His "kitchen satellite" from 1969 is the most prominent example of this school of thought. Many of his designs for small appliances are being mass-produced and marketed, but his larger designs have not been built in series.
His unconventional designs have made him famous, not only in design circles, but also to the general public. He has received numerous design awards. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi_Colani [May 2006]
Luigi Colani - Phillipe Pernodet, Bruce Mehly
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Luigi Colani - Phillipe Pernodet, Bruce Mehly
[Amazon US]
Since the 1950s, designer Luigi Colani has changed the face of our culture with his designs for automobiles, aircraft, motorcycles, furniture, bathroom appliances, cameras and other electronic equipment, computers, and jewelry. Working in Europe, the United States and Japan, Colani has worked with relentless verve to create designs that reflect the genius of the natural world--as he has put it: ''I do no more than imitate the truths revealed to me by nature.'' Educated in both art and engineering, Colani's innovative designs are born from a deep understanding of ergonomics and aerodynamics--of how bodies interact with their environments and with other bodies--but they also resound with a playfulness and beauty often missing in high-tech design. This gorgeous new volume highlights the best of Colani's half-century career in design, including such trendsetters as the Colani Alfa, the Mazda MX-5, the Drop teapot, his headphones for the Sony Walkman, and the Canon T-90, among numerous others. Paperback, 128 pages, 6.5 x 8.5 inches, 54 color and 38 b&w illustrations.
Colani: Art of Shaping the Future (2005) - Albrecht Bangert
Colani: Art of Shaping the Future (2005) - Albrecht Bangert [Amazon.com] [FR] [DE] [UK]
Book Description
If there was an award for world's coolest designer, Luigi Colani, with his signature moustache and trademark stogie, would win it hands down every year. Colani has been making bio-morphic streamlined products ever since he graduated from the Sorbonne, in 1953, with a degree in aerodynamics. He has designed everything from cameras and watches to cars and motorcycles. His visionary studies for supersonic transit, high-speed trains, aerodynamic sports equipment, eyewear, and just about everything else have dramatically altered our designed environment. His ultra progressive design patrons include BMW, Canon, Mazda, NEC, Rosenthal, Sony, VW, and Zeiss.
This magnificent volume, beautifully produced with hundreds of drawings and photos, showcases for the first time his wide-ranging oeuvre in the context of international design history. Also, it's just, well, incredibly cool.
About the Author
Dr. Albrecht Bangert studied archaeology and art history. He is a publisher and exhibition curator in the fields of art and design.