10 design legends offer words of wisdom
Lift Your Spirits
Good design can bolster your spirits in so many ways, making your life more comfortable, more productive, and certainly more beautiful. And when you’re looking for inspiration, many of the iconic talents behind your favorite pieces can offer uplifting life lessons. Enjoy a few moments of diversion in the form of 10 insightful sentiments from some of the greatest designers the world has known.
Josef Frank on Being Human
“Every human needs a certain degree of sentimentality to feel free.”
Angelo Mangiarotti on Being Happy
“Happiness comes from honesty.”
Gae Aulenti on Persevering
“When you’re criticized… wait two or three years and see.”
Gio Ponti on Progress
“Everything is going from the heavy to the light, from the gross to the subtle, from the opaque to the transparent, from the dark to the light, from the colorless to the colorful... Anyone going in the opposite direction is in error.”
Dieter Rams on Being Mindful
“We cannot afford any more thoughtlessness.”
Charles Eames on Interdependence
“Eventually everything connects—people, ideas, objects. The quality of the connections is the key to quality per se.”
Poul Henningsen on Doing the Work
“The future comes by itself; progress does not.”
Philippe Starck on Being Engaged
“No one is obliged to be a genius, but everyone is obliged to participate.”
Marc Newson on Being Yourself
“If you can just be yourself, then you have to be original—because there’s no one like you.”
Achille Castiglioni on Finding Enjoyment
“There has to be irony… I see around me a professional disease of taking everything too seriously. One of my secrets is to joke all the time.”
More to Love
DAX Armchair by Charles & Ray Eames for Vitra, 1960s
Diavoletto Decorative Mask by Gio Ponti for Christofle, 1978
Vintage 620 Lounge Chair by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe
Vintage PH-3/2 Table Lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen
PH5 Pendant by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1970s
PH Kontrast Ceiling Lamp by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen, 1970s
2-Seater Leather Sofa by Gae Aulenti for Knoll, 1970s
Vintage Pipistrello Lamp by Gae Aulenti for Martinelli Luce
Giogali Glass Link Chandelier by Angelo Mangiarotti for Vistosi, 1970s
Italian Gluon Swivel Chair by Marc Newson for Moroso, 1990s
Cast Aluminium WW Stool by Philippe Starck for Vitra
Vintage PC 3 SV Turntable by Dieter Rams for Braun
Vintage Camilla Bench by Achille Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1980s
No. 752 Armchair by Josef Frank, 1930s
Vintage RR126 Stereo System by Achille and Pier Castiglioni for Brionvega
Vintage Techno Chair by Philippe Starck for Presence Paris/ L’Oréal
Philippines Series Ceramic Vases by Angelo Mangiarotti for Danese, 1964, Set of 2
Ceramic Plate by Gio Ponti for San Cristoforo, 1920s
Solitaria Console by Ettore Sottsass for Design Gallery Milano, 1992
American DSS-N Upholstered Fibreglass Stacking Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, 1950s
SaleChairs Model A 752 by Josef Frank for Thonet, 1960s, Set of 2
Yellow WL&T Chair by Marc Newson, 1996
Orange Ceramic Ashtray by Angelo Mangiarotti for F.lli Brambilla, 1968
SaleArt Deco Ceramic Tile by Gio Ponti for Richard-Ginori, 1933
SaleVintage DCM Red Easy Chair by Charles & Ray Eames for Vitra
Italian Marble Coffee Table by Angelo Mangiarotti, 1960s
Italian Armchair by Giò Ponti for Isa Bergamo, 1950s
SaleViscontea Cocoon Pendant by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1960s
Leggera Chair by Gio Ponti for Cassina, 1951
White Model 4794 Lounge Chairs by Gae Aulenti for Kartell, 1974, Set of 2
Blue Vase by Angelo Mangiarotti for Brambilla, 1960s
Royalton Bench by Philippe Starck for Driade, 1990s