Design & Desire in the Twentieth Century

Dieter Rams: Good design is aesthetic

3. Good design is aesthetic

The aesthetic quality of a product is integral to its usefulness because products we use every day affect our person and our well-being. But only well-executed objects can be beautiful.

Braun LE1 Electrostatic Loud Speaker, based on a speaker designed by Peter J. Walker, was introduced by Braun in 1960. Rams was asked to design a case that would “match the special styling of the Braun products” (1). Unfortunately the speaker lacked deep bass that was so popular among rock n’ roll enthusiasts. This, along with its high cost of manufacturing the LE1 led to its quick demise. “In the early 1960s the Braun Company cancelled the production of the LE1, and in 1990 the complete production line of audio products came to an end” (1).

Rams’ design of the Braun LE1 continues to influence today’s designers as many observers have noted the similarity between the design of the LE1 and Jonathan Ive’s Apple iMac.

LE1 Loudspeaker

Dieter Rams, Braun LE1 Electrostatic Loud Speaker, (1960)
Source: http://designmuseum.org/media/item/4824/-1/103_3Lg.jpg

Jonathan Ive, Apple iMac, (2007)

Source: http://thehottestgadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/apple_imac.png

Reference
1. One Thing Audio (n.d.). Quad ESL 57, Modifications, Other manufacturers using the Quad ESL 57. Retrieved from: http://www.onethingaudio.net/FOR/QUA/57/9512-QUA-57-MOD-OTH.htm

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