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Dieter Rams. Less But Better Hardcover – Illustrated, March 11, 2014

by Dieter Rams (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 122 ratings
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The new edition of the benchmark work originally published by the Dieter and Ingeborg Rams Foundation and Jo Klatt. 

Few product designs have the staying power of creations by Dieter Rams. Almost everything produced by one of the most influential designers of the twentieth century is today considered a classic. This new and revised edition of Less but Better shows once again why Dieter Rams’s approach to design will be relevant for the foreseeable future Ideas of what can and must be achieved by good design are in a constant state of flux as a result of cultural and technological developments. Dieter Rams, however, came up with ten principles that advocate for a purist, almost imperceptible design. 

These principles are still considered timeless fundaments of design theory and practice today: 

  • Good design is innovative. 
  • Good design makes a product useful. 
  • Good design is aesthetic. 
  • Good design helps a product to be understood. 
  • Good design is unobtrusive. 
  • Good design is honest. 
  • Good design is durable. 
  • Good design is consistent to the last detail. 
  • Good design is environmentally friendly. 
  • Good design is as little design as possible. 
Less but Better does not set out to be a complete documentation of Dieter Rams’s body of work, nor does it claim to tell the full story of the company Braun. Rather, the book explores the ideas, criteria, and methods behind Rams’s creations and reveals how a shifting culture of product manufacturing gave rise to universal design benchmarks. From his reflections on design ethics and values we can distill a clear paradigm for future design —because one principle has remained firm over the years: less is simply better.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    154 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    gestalten
  4. Publication date
    March 11, 2014
  5. Dimensions
    8.27 x 0.98 x 11.69 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    3899555252
  7. ISBN-13
    978-3899555257
  8. See all details
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  5. gestalten logo

    gestalten is an international publishing house collaborating and engaging with the world’s most interesting creatives to document and anticipate vital movements in architecture and interiors, design and fashion, escape and mobility, travel, food, and beverage, as well as visual culture.

    Exploring creativity in every form, gestalten is known and loved by millions around the globe for its unique lens across print and digital mediums.

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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ gestalten; 5th edition (March 11, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 154 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 3899555252
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3899555257
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.54 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.27 x 0.98 x 11.69 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 122 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
122 global ratings
Misleading Product selection
1 Star
Misleading Product selection
Was listed as "Hardcover" with "paperback" as a separate option. I wasn't sent a Hardcover book, and it cost me nearly $50.
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Top reviews from the United States

Jerry Qu
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic.
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2022
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A must read for all designers who work with users, be in industrial or UX/UI. Give it a read!
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Sergio Slansky
5.0 out of 5 stars Better, from the best.
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2021
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The father of product design, I am a designer in digital products and Rams principles are my North Star. Love seeing the progression of braun over the years.
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William D Ludington
5.0 out of 5 stars Dieter is amazing!
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2017
Verified Purchase
Just a beautiful book, just wish it had more color photos, but a beauty of a book!
2 people found this helpful
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RoboDad
4.0 out of 5 stars I wish the pictures were larger, but it's a ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
I wish the pictures were larger, but it's a bargain for a design book this specialized. Fascinating look at Rams' design process and history.
5 people found this helpful
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MrsKguy
3.0 out of 5 stars lots of data points, but so notBraun
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2022
Verified Purchase
The book while jammed packed with facts and photos is a hot mess. Totally not Braun. The layout is a jumble of German and English and photos. It remained difficult to track even half way through. The book also seems to lack an over-arching narrative and graphic structure joining the various essays and writing. It is often hard to track who is writing. The author/designers should take a page or two out of the Braun design book..
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Dan Zhang
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2015
Good to read.
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Darwin Santos
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book. A must have for any professional not only designers.
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2014
Superb.
One person found this helpful
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Regular Reggie
3.0 out of 5 stars Not coffee table material.
Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
The production quality of this book is disappointing, failing to deliver on 5 of 10 of Rams's Principles of Good Design (for those of you keeping score, I considered Principles 2, 3, 7, 8, and, I am assuming, 9).

While the content is good, the experience is lack luster. If you're looking to spend some hard earned cash on this book, nothing to buy here, solider. Move along. There are better options, like Aaron Jame Draplin's Pretty Much Everything. #thisisntadvice
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Danny Ruiz
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
Reviewed in Mexico on September 7, 2022
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Awesome book!
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Navneet Nair
3.0 out of 5 stars Not hardcover edition
Reviewed in India on May 23, 2021
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Says hardcover but is paperback
One person found this helpful
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Oriol
2.0 out of 5 stars Mala edición
Reviewed in Spain on December 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
No es tapa dura y el contenido está en blanco y negro menos un par de páginas en el centro que están en color. El tamaño me parece demasiado grande, podria ser un poco más pequeño. Para el precio que vale no merece la pena esta edición.
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Guillaume
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple. Dense. Magnifique.
Reviewed in France on November 14, 2020
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A l’image de son célèbre précepte en design, moins mais mieux (less but more), Dieter Rams explique dans cet ouvrage de près de 150 pages toute la conception et les idées derrière les nombreux produits qu’il a conçu. C’est une ré-édition augmentée et mise à jour d’un ouvrage qu’il a écrit il y a une vingtaine d’année. Le texte en anglais / allemand est simple, accessible et apporte une vue extraordinaire sur le processus de conception de ce génie. Il a même inspiré Jony Ive, qui a dessiné de nombreux modèles iconiques d’Apple (iPod, MacBook, iPhone, Apple Watch). Il y a énormément de belles photographies des produits et des ébauches de plans qui font de la lecture de l’ensemble un plaisir des yeux et de l’esprit. Que vous soyez ou non amateur de design ou de Dieter Rams en particulier, ce bel ouvrage est... essentiel !
Customer image
Guillaume
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple. Dense. Magnifique.
Reviewed in France on November 14, 2020
A l’image de son célèbre précepte en design, moins mais mieux (less but more), Dieter Rams explique dans cet ouvrage de près de 150 pages toute la conception et les idées derrière les nombreux produits qu’il a conçu. C’est une ré-édition augmentée et mise à jour d’un ouvrage qu’il a écrit il y a une vingtaine d’année. Le texte en anglais / allemand est simple, accessible et apporte une vue extraordinaire sur le processus de conception de ce génie. Il a même inspiré Jony Ive, qui a dessiné de nombreux modèles iconiques d’Apple (iPod, MacBook, iPhone, Apple Watch). Il y a énormément de belles photographies des produits et des ébauches de plans qui font de la lecture de l’ensemble un plaisir des yeux et de l’esprit. Que vous soyez ou non amateur de design ou de Dieter Rams en particulier, ce bel ouvrage est... essentiel !
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Tony Wang
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book, with substance and flair.
Reviewed in Canada on October 18, 2017
Verified Purchase
Bought this for someone as a gift thinking that even if they didn't like Dieter Rams and his design philosophies, at least the book would make a great coffee table piece. Well, now that the giftee had received their gift, I can safely report that not only does this item make for a gorgeous coffee table piece, it really does Dieter Rams' work and legacy some service. The images are beautiful and all the facts and history of Rams is well presented. It really is a great book, either for skimming or for a more in-depth look at Rams' designs and approach.
One person found this helpful
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