Philippe Starck: Minimum Design

Philippe Starck is one of the world's most prolific and famous designers. Well known for his luxurious hotels and restaurants, he is equally celebrated for his inspirational reworkings of everyday household items.

Whether it be his iconic lemon squeezer, dubbed the 'Juicy Salif', or his colourful stylized toothbrushes, Starck's works are some of the earliest examples of 'democratic design'. This idea, that exceptional products should not be exclusive and elite, but be accessible and affordable, would eventually revolutionise modern design.

Starck has worked privately for French president Francois Mitterand, decorating a suite in the Palais d'Élysée in Paris in 1982. He has designed products for a number of internationally renowned organisations including Microsoft, Lacie, Eurostar, Alessi and Fossil.

These volumes will introduce in a practical manner the personalities and the works of the world's major designers by way of an historical-critical introduction to the work and life of each individual designer. An accurate selection of the designer's most famous objects arranged in chronological order and a critique of his or her work summarising the most significant reviews published in magazines and newspapers will complete the subject.

Christina Morozzi is the editor of Design magazine and works as a curator of exhibitions in Italy and abroad. She is also a visiting professor at Domus Academy of Milan and University of Art and Design, Lausanne, Switzerland.