Dieter Rams in conversation with Deyan Sudjic (be sure to stick around and check out the portable record player). London's Design Museum is exhibiting a selection of Rams' work for Braun and Vitsœ through March 17, 2010.
When I was about, I don't know, 12-years-old, I got this Braun alarm clock.
Instead of hitting a snooze button, you yell at the little speaker/microphone — 'shut it' or whatever you want to say — and it snoozes for 7 minutes. Then it goes off again and you get up and do your paper route. Sadly the arms have somehow warped a little bit (would have been nicer if they were metal...) so it doesn't work anymore, but I can't bring myself to get rid of it. Eh. Dieter Rams' Ten Principles of good design:
1. Good design is innovative.
2. Good design makes a product useful.
3. Good design is aesthetic.
4. Good design makes a product understandable.
5. Good design is unobtrusive.
6. Good design is honest.7. Good design is long-lasting.
8. Good design is thorough down to the last detail.
9. Good design is environmentally friendly.
10. Good design is as little design as possible.