German industrial designer Dieter Rams is revered for the pared-down, intuitive electronics and consumer goods he created for Braun — where he worked from 1955 to 1997, most of that time as chief design officer — and his timeless furniture for Vitsœ, a company with which he continues to collaborate today.
Less well known are Rams’s longstanding focus on sustainability and uneasy relationship with contemporary technology, even as Silicon Valley designers like Apple’s Jonathan Ive follow in his rational footsteps.
During Germany’s postwar rebuilding period, Rams and his team of designers at Braun, inspired by the Bauhaus and the Ulm School of Design, focused on extreme simplicity and usability while conceiving products with a modern, forward-looking appearance.
Among Rams’s most iconic designs is the SK 4 phonograph and radio, created in 1956, which had a compact white metal case topped by a revolutionary-at-the-time transparent Plexiglas lid that revealed simple gray controls inside (it was nicknamed Snow White’s Coffin). But it is the T3 portable radio, from 1958, that gets design aficionados most excited today: A white rectangular box with a perforated square for the speaker and a circular-dial control, it bears an unmistakable resemblance to Apple’s original iPod. (Many people also note that the iPhone’s calculator app looks remarkably similar to the Braun ET 66 calculator, with its circular color-coded buttons.)
In the late 1970s, Rams laid out his widely studied 10 principles for good design: It is innovative, makes a product useful, is aesthetic, makes a product understandable, is unobtrusive, is honest, is long lasting, is thorough down to the last detail, is environmentally friendly and is as little design as possible.
One of Rams’s principles that hasn’t translated to our contemporary era is his emphasis on longevity. “The time of thoughtless design and thoughtless consumption is over,” he said in 1976, stressing the need to conserve natural resources — even as he was busy designing plastic products.
Rams has also expressed reservations about how electronics have evolved in recent decades from tools for improving life to time-sucking obsessions. “Every time he crosses a street and sees people glued to their phones, he just can’t conceive of how we got to this point,” says filmmaker Gary Hustwit, whose feature-length documentary on Rams debuted in 2018. “I think he’s a little bit saddened by all this work they did in the fifties and sixties, which had a very idealistic point of view, being a stepping stone to where we are now, and the current lust for technology.”
If digital devices sometimes seem to be making life more complicated, Rams’s precept remains the same as always: “Back to purity, back to simplicity.”
Find vintage Dieter Rams furniture on 1stDibs.
Dieter Rams for Braun Black Wall Mount Stereo System "Wandanlage"
By Dieter Rams
Located in Seattle, WA
The wall-mounted system is one of the most sought-after hi-fi systems from the 1960s. The combination of the amplifier with radio, reel-to-reel machine, matching speakers, and the re...
Metal, Aluminum
Dieter Rams Lounge Chair and Ottoman Model 602 by Vitsoe for Restoration
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in München, BY
Very elegant Dieter Rams Lounge Chair with high backrest and Ottoman of the RZ 60 601/602 armchair range. This Model 602 was designed in 1961 and executed by Vitsoe. Chair and ottoma...
Aluminum
Original Dieter Rams Wandregal 606 Vitsoe Aluminium Design
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Design Wandregal vom Schweizer Traditionshersteller Vitsoe zum Verkauf an. Das Regalsytem wurde von Dieter Rams, einem der bekanntesten Möbeldesigner des...
Aluminum, Metal
Sofa 620 by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe
By Vitsoe, Dieter Rams
Located in Vienna, AT
Design Dieter Rams from 1962. Produced by Vitsoe Model 620 Two seat modular sofa which can be on request extended to 5 seat, price for the additional segment is 3300usd. Frame made o...
Velvet, Plastic
Braun SK 61 Phonosuper Radiogram by Dieter Rams & Hans Gugelot, Germany, c. 1962
By Hans Gugelot, Dieter Rams, Braun
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Braun SK 61 Phonosuper Radiogram by Dieter Rams & Hans Gugelot, Germany, c. 1962 A rare and iconic Braun SK 61 Phonosuper Radiogram, designed by Diete...
Metal, Aluminum, Enamel
Original Dieter Rams Wandregal 606 Vitsoe Aluminium Design breit
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Design Wandregal vom Schweizer Traditionshersteller Vitsoe zum Verkauf an. Das Regalsytem wurde von Dieter Rams, einem der bekanntesten Möbeldesigner des...
Metal, Aluminum
Dieter Rams Wandregal 606 Vitsoe schwarz Sideboard Design Bauhaus
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes modulares Wandregalsystem von Vitsoe aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design stammt von Dieter Rams, einem der einflussreichsten Möbeldesigner d...
Aluminum
BRAUN Wall system, Dieter Rams, TS45, 1960s, Vintage
By Dieter Rams, Braun
Located in Neuss, NW
Unique wall system by Dieter Rams for Braun & Vitsœ from the 1960s. High-quality construction consisting of five aluminum E-profiles, two shelves, two L450 speakers, a TG60 tape reco...
Metal
Dieter Rams 620 Lounge Chair Swivel Base by Vitsœ black Leather 1962 Mid Century
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Munster, NRW
Lounge Chair from the chair program 620, designed by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe, Germany in 1962. The pictured lounge chair was purchased around 2000 and has since been in the second ho...
Leather
Dieter Rams e Dietrich Lubs design for Braun in 1976 DN 40 allarm clock 4967
By Braun, Dieter Rams
Located in Biella, IT
Dieter Rams e Dietrich Lubs design for Braun in 1976 DN 40 allarm clock 4967 in black
Plastic
Mid-Century Modern RZ62 Sofa Set by Dieter Rams For Vitsoe, 1962
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Rosendahl, DE
For sale is a seating group consisting of a three-seater sofa, a lounge chair, and a rare stool, designed by Dieter Rams in 1962 and produced by Vitsœ. Part of the modular 620 seat...
Fabric, Fiberglass, Down
Pair Of Dieter Rams Model 620 Armchairs In Black Leather For Vitsoe, 1980s
By Vitsoe, Dieter Rams
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Iconic pair of model 620 lounge chairs in black leather with black outer shell by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe, Germany 1980s. The black outer shell is made from a hot-pressed sheet-mould...
Leather, Fiberglass
Space Age Vintage Authentic Plastic Lounge Chair Dieter Rams 1960s Germany
By Dieter Rams
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage authentic lounge chair from plastic and leather in brown and ivory color tone by Dieter Rams, 1960s Germany. A fantastic and freestanding vintage lounge chair desig...
Ultrasuede, Plastic
Dieter Rams RZ 62 High-back chair from the chair program 620
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Den Haag, NL
This beautiful high back chair from the 620 range was designed by Dieter Rams. for Vitsoe in the 1960s It has a black shell made of fiberglass reinforced plastic. It is covered with ...
Leather
Hight Back Swivel Easy Chairs 620 with Ottoman by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe
By Vitsoe, Dieter Rams
Located in Vienna, AT
Designed by Dieter Rams in 1962. Produced by Vitsoe Model 620 Rare modular system. Frame made of grey-white lacquered, glass fibre reinforced plastic. Seat cushion and backrest with ...
Velvet, Plastic
Dieter Rams Model 620 Two Seater Sofa In Black Leather For Vitsoe, 1980s
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Iconic model 620 two seater sofa in black leather with black outer shell by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe, Germany 1980s. The black outer shell is made from a hot-pressed sheet-moulding co...
Leather, Fiberglass
$2,987
606 by Rams for DePadova
By DePadova 1, Dieter Rams
Located in Milano, IT
Designed by the iconic Dieter Rams in 1960 and produced under license by De Padova, this wall-mounted 606 Universal Shelving System drawer unit is a paragon of functionalist purity. ...
Aluminum
$8,062Sale Price|25% Off
DIETER RAMS 1973 Braum Cubism Desk Lighter In 18Kt Yellow Gold And Lapis
By Dieter Rams
Located in Miami, FL
Fabulous desk lighter designed by Dieter Rams for Braum. This is a fabulous ultra-modernist T3 Domino desk lighter, created in West Germany by the architect and designer Dieter Rams...
Lapis Lazuli, Gold
1980s Vintage Dieter Rams for Vitsoe 620 Red Leather and Black Lounge Chair
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a 620 Chair, originally designed by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe in 1962. This particular example was produced in the UK and dates back to the 1980s. The chair shells are made from...
Foam, Leather
Plexiglas Stands from Braun Electric by Dieter Rams, 1960s Germany
By Dieter Rams, Braun
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
The buyer of this set gets the four alarm clocks for free. Most go, but are just free of charge and not to complain :). Thanks.
Acrylic
Rare Metal Wardrobe Wall Panel Element RZ 61 by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe, 1960s
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: wardrobe elements RZ 61 (program 610) no. 1 Design: Dieter Rams Producer: VITSOE, Germany Origin: Germany AGE: 1960s Descriptio...
Metal
Dieter Rams Lounge Chair + Ottoman Swivel Base by Vitsœ Leather 1962 Minimal
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Munster, NRW
Lounge Chair + Ottoman from the chair program 620 - designed by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe, Germany in 1962. The pictured Lounge Chair and its Ottoman were purchased around 2000 and ha...
Leather
1980s Vintage Dieter Rams for Vitsoe 620 Red Leather and Black Two Seat Settee
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a rare Dieter Rams for Vitsoe 620 two-seater loveseat with gorgeous red leather upholstery and black casing. This is a favorite of ours, ...
Leather
BRAUN Wall system, Dieter Rams, TS45, 1960s, Vintage
By Dieter Rams, Braun
Located in Neuss, NW
Unique wall system by Dieter Rams for Braun & Vitsœ from the 1960s. High-quality construction consisting of five aluminum E-profiles, two shelves, two L450 speakers, a TG60 tape reco...
Metal
$5,172 / set
H 35.04 in W 27.96 in D 35.04 in
Erberto Carboni 'Delfino' Lounge Chair and Ottoman for Arflex
By Arflex, Erberto Carboni
Located in Tilburg, NL
Erberto Carboni 'Delfino' Lounge Chair + Ottoman 1954 for Arflex, Italy. New, Current production. Delfino armchair by Erberto Carboni is a significant example of the so-called "organic" furniture, which develops in the 1950s and draws inspiration from the forms of nature. The Delfino armchair has a strong personality, with a very evident graphic sign, that makes it perfect for both home and hospitality space. This wonderful chair and ottoman are available in a wide range of upholstery options. Please ask us about the possibilities. Designed by Erberto Carboni: Graphic designer, poster designer and illustrator (Parma 1899 - Milan 1984). Graduated in architecture at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Parma (in 1921, earning an honorary diploma), he immediately started working as a graphic designer, opening a studio in his hometown (he developed advertising material for some local companies). He also began to work as an illustrator, collaborating with some publishing houses in setting up the iconography of volumes of consumer fiction and beginning to work with some magazines, such as "Lidel", "Novella", "Dramma", "Emporium", "Le Grandi Firme". In 1932 he moved to Milan, where he came into contact with Studio Boggeri and Olivetti Advertising...
Metal
$3,487
H 27.96 in W 66.93 in D 33.47 in
Maralunga Two-Seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti for Cassina, 1970s
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Iconic Mid-Century Modern Italian "Maralunga" two-seater sofa / armchairs by Vico Magistretti for Cassina. This sofa features the original knitted wool upholstery in ivory. Head /...
Wool
1920s Whiting Sculptoscope Coin Op Stereo Card Viewer
Located in Peekskill, NY
Original whiting sculpt scope coin-operated stereo card viewer from the 1920s. Deposit a penny, pull trigger and look through the viewer to flip through st...
Steel
$13,000
H 28.25 in W 48 in D 14.25 in
Vintage Stereo Phonograph/AM FM Tuner Console, Model: Brionvega rr126 Radiogram
By Brionvega, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Iconic design by the Castiglioni Studio for Brionvega first introduced in 1966. This later example produced circa 1970. This stereo phonograph/AM FM receiver console is fully functio...
Metal
A Gluon Lounge Chair & Ottoman by Marc Newson for Moroso
By Moroso, Marc Newson
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A set of futuristic and finely constructed swiveling Gluon lounge chairs designed by Marc Newson, each having chromed pedestal bases, seats and backs of steel covered with injected f...
Steel
$8,650 / item
H 21 in W 9 in D 25.25 in
U.E.S. 'Upper East Side' Shelf in Waxed Aluminium Plate by Jonathan Nesci
By Jonathan Nesci
Located in Columbus, IN
The wall-mounted, Minimalist Shelf is sculpted out of 1/4 inch thick, wax-polished aluminium. Each shelf has an inset welded U-channel that spans the ...
Aluminum
$208 / item
H 7.88 in W 15.75 in D 4.73 in
Cling Shelf, Bent Metal, Grey Painted, Minimalist Modern Design
By Lorenz+Kaz
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Made of folded metal and epoxy powder coated in grey or special edition upon request in copper, gold and petroleum blue finishes. Cling is a display rack and shelf. It can be mounted on the wall, or placed on the tabletop as a contemporary interpretation of English old-fashioned “travel desk” accessory. It is the ideal storage place on the entrance wall...
Metal
Custom Made Model 54 Sheepskin Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in London, England
Dagmar Design - model 54 lounge chair & ottoman set The Model 54 chair & ottoman is from our custom-made upholstered range. The frame is solid beech wo...
Sheepskin, Beech, Oak
Vintage Intel Stereo Anlage, 1970's
Located in Lisboa, PT
This radio was made by Intel in Germany, during the 1970's. With a plastic case, imitating wood, it has Broadcast, Long Wave, Short Wave plus FM or UHF. Goo...
Metal
$4,882 / set
H 25.99 in W 33.86 in D 33.86 in
Pair Of Dieter Rams Model 620 Armchairs In Black Leather For Vitsoe, 1980s
By Vitsoe, Dieter Rams
Located in ABCOUDE, UT
Iconic pair of model 620 lounge chairs in black leather with black outer shell by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe, Germany 1980s. The black outer shell is made from a hot-pressed sheet-mould...
Leather, Fiberglass
Mid-Century Scandinavian Teak Wall Shelf, Sailboat Design, Denmark
Located in Miami, FL
A Mid-Century Scandinavian style sculpted teak wall shelf, made in Denmark. This interesting sail boat shaped wall shelf is great for a decorative item. Place your favorite vase,...
Teak
606 wall unit by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe, 1960s Germany.
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Landgraaf, NL
606 wall unit by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe, 1960s Germany. The 606 is a well-known modular shelving system that became a benchmark of modernist design. The system is based on a simple a...
Aluminum
Sold
H 91.74 in W 161.23 in D 15.16 in
Dieter Rams for Vitsoe Large Modular Wall Unit in Aluminum and Black Wood
By Vitsoe, Dieter Rams
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dieter Rams for Vitsoe, wall unit model 606, aluminum, wood, Germany, design 1960 This grand wall unit is design by German product and furniture designer Dieter Rams. A sophistica...
Aluminum
Sold
H 27.56 in W 59.85 in D 29.93 in
DIETER RAMS for Vitsoe. black on black Sofa / two-seater 'RZ 62', 1960s
By Vitsoe, Dieter Rams
Located in The Hague, NL
This elegant low-back two-seat sofa from the iconic 620 range was designed by Dieter Rams for Vitsoe in the 1960s. Exemplifying Rams’ timeless principles of clarity and functionality...
Leather, Fiberglass, Wood
Dieter Rams Wall unit for Vitsoe, 1970's
By Dieter Rams
Located in LYON, FR
The 606 universal shelving system is truly timeless. The bookcase is made of black satin laminate. Each element, whether a shelf or module, is screwed to aluminum plates that hold ...
Aluminum
Dieter Rams Black '606' Wall Mount Shelving Unit for Vitsoe
By Vitsoe, Dieter Rams
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large, wall-mounted '606' shelving system by visionary German designer Dieter Rams for Vitsoe. This legendary system is known for its timeless minimalism and flawless functionality...
Aluminum
Dieter Rams Wall Mount 606 Shelving Unit for Vitsoe in Black
By Vitsoe, Dieter Rams
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large black "606" wall mount shelving system by the incomparable and highly influential Dieter Rams for Vitsoe, Germany. Stunning, timeless design features black laminate shelves wit...
Aluminum
Sold
H 78.75 in W 72.05 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Black Shelf System 2 By Dieter Rams Vitsoe, Model 606, 1960s
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Rosendahl, DE
The modular shelving system "606", designed by Dieter Rams in 1960 and manufactured by Vitsœ. This iconic design is in good vintage condition with light, age-appropriate signs of wea...
Aluminum
Sold
H 78.75 in W 72.05 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Black Shelf System By Dieter Rams Vitsoe, Model 606, 1960s
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Rosendahl, DE
The modular shelving system "606", designed by Dieter Rams in 1960 and manufactured by Vitsœ. This iconic design is in good vintage condition with light, age-appropriate signs of wea...
Aluminum
Sold
H 9.65 in W 23.04 in D 11.42 in
SK4/1 record player by Dieter Rams and Hans Gugelot for Braun, 1950s Germany.
By Hans Gugelot, Dieter Rams, Braun
Located in Landgraaf, NL
SK4/1 record player by Dieter Rams and Hans Gugelot for Braun, 1950s Germany. In the mid-20th century, the world of domestic audio equipment witnessed a revolutionary transformation with the introduction of the Braun SK...
Metal
Dieter Rams Wandregal 606 Vitsoe Holz schmal Design Bauhaus
By Vitsoe, Dieter Rams
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir beiten ein wunderschönes modulares Wandregalsystem von Vitsoe aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design stammt von Dieter Rams, einem der einflussreichsten Möbeldesigner d...
Aluminum
Original Dieter Rams Wandregal 606 Vitsoe Holz Design Bauhaus
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes modulares Wandregalsystem von Vitsoe aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design stammt von Dieter Rams, einem der einflussreichsten Möbeldesigner d...
Aluminum
Original Dieter Rams Wandregal 606 Vitsoe weiß Design Bauhaus
By Dieter Rams, Vitsoe
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes modulares Wandregalsystem von Vitsoe aus den 1960er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Das Design stammt von Dieter Rams, einem der einflussreichsten Möbeldesigner d...
Aluminum