Living person. According to our records, Dieter Rams is alive, so this timeline is open-ended. Recent events may be missing or awaiting verification, and details can change significantly.
See everyone currently living

Dieter Rams

20 May 1932 – present

Dieter Rams is a German industrial designer widely associated with the consumer products company Braun and the functionalist school of design. As Braun's head of design for decades, he created influential products embodying his philosophy of 'less, but better,' summarized in his Ten Principles of Good Design. His minimalist aesthetic has profoundly influenced later designers and technology products.

Comparing
Compare

Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Dieter Rams.

Life events

Born in Wiesbaden, Germany
20 May 1932

Dieter Rams was born in Wiesbaden.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Studied architecture at Wiesbaden School of Art
1947 – 1953

Rams studied architecture and interior decoration in Wiesbaden.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Joined Braun
1955

Rams joined the Braun company, initially working on architecture and interiors.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Designed the SK-4 record player with Hans Gugelot
1956

The 'Snow White's Coffin' phonograph became an early landmark of his work.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Designed the 606 Universal Shelving System
1960

His modular shelving system for Vitsoe became a lasting design classic.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Became head of design at Braun
1961 – 1995

Rams was appointed head of the Braun design department, a role he held for decades.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Formulated the Ten Principles of Good Design
c. 1980

Rams articulated his influential principles built around the idea of 'less, but better.'

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Retired from Braun
1995

Rams stepped down as head of design at Braun.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Subject of the documentary Rams
2018

Filmmaker Gary Hustwit released a documentary about Rams and his design philosophy.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓