The mythical father figure of modern industrial design and a name associated with brands like Apple, Braun and Vitsoe, Dieter Rams needs no introduction to design nerds. Despite designing or inspiring the design of the most popular products in the world today (the iPhone, for instance), he’s far from a household name. In a world full of chaos, now’s a good time to stream the 2018 documentary “Rams,” by Gary Hustwit.
The documentary touches on Rams’ philosophy, design processes and influences. His ethos is based on living a streamlined life free of noise and clutter. The film goes further than acting as a retelling of Rams’ life and career; the designer uses his personal history to reflect on his regrets and to peer into the future of consumerism and its effect on our world.
While we’re currently all focused on the outbreak of coronavirus, “Rams” is a brief, calming watch on the subject of simplicity and minimalism. The documentary itself borrows from Rams’ good design principles, creating the same feeling one would have when experiencing a Rams-designed invention.
“Rams” is streaming for free from April 7 to April 14. Viewers may tip the filmmaker, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to COVID-19 relief efforts in New York City.
