Ettore Sottsass

Ettore Sottsass (1917-2007) was an Austrian architect and designer who made significant contributions to the fields of industrial design, architecture, and product design. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential designers of the 20th century.

Sottsass started his career in architecture and worked for several years in various firms before founding his own design studio, the Sottsass Associati, in 1980. He designed a wide range of products, including furniture, ceramics, glassware, jewelry, and electronics. He was also a prolific writer and a photographer.

One of Sottsass's most significant contributions to design was his role as the founder of the Memphis Group in 1981. The Memphis Group was a collective of designers and architects who sought to challenge the dominant design trends of the time, such as minimalism and functionalism. The group's designs were characterized by bold colors, geometric shapes, and playful forms.

Sottsass's work has been exhibited in museums around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. He has also been the recipient of numerous awards, including the prestigious Compasso d'Oro award for lifetime achievement in design. Today, his designs continue to influence and inspire designers around the world.