Karim Rashid is a designer, visionary, pragmatist and professor at the Philadelphia University of the Arts. He launched approximately 3,000 designs into production. These include design projects for lighting fixtures, fittings, packaging, fashion accessories, tableware, and furniture. Karim also worked on installations, interiors and other architectural projects. But most of all he is known to people as an industrial designer. In this article we will briefly talk about this creative personality.

Biography

Rashid Karim was born in Cairo (Egypt) in 1960. The boy was raised in two countries - Canada and England. In addition to him, the family had two more children. Karim’s artistic taste was developed by his father, who worked as a theater decorator. He loved to take his son to sketches. When Rashid grew up, he went to Canada to attend Carleton University. In 1982 he received his bachelor's degree. Karim continued his education in Naples, and then in Milan, where he completed an internship in the studio of Rudolfo Bonetto.

Afterwards, he got a job at KAN Industrial Designers, where he worked for seven years, gaining significant experience in this field. From that time on, Rashid began to work closely with companies such as Sony, Citibank, Issey Miyake, etc. Step by step, Karim entered the close circle of the most authoritative, fashionable and successful representatives of his profession. In 1993, Rashid opened his own studio in New York, the main activity of which was the development of interior design. But he was also happy to deal with other types of orders. For example, I created packaging design.

Creation

Today Karim designs restaurants in Tokyo and New York, hotels in Los Angeles, Athens and London, and also designs the interiors of exhibitions, boutiques and studios of top TV channels. With every action, Rashid demonstrates interest not only in individual objects, but also in the general environment. He advises not to limit yourself to narrow specialization and expand your creative arsenal. If Karim had not adhered to this principle, then the Golden Gramophone figurine (her new design) would have been designed by someone else.

Rashid puts comfort, not style, at the forefront. In the first place for him is not material luxury, but the luxury of freedom. This is the key to understanding the essence of Rashid's worldview and creativity. Soft and simple outlines, glossy smooth surfaces, the carefree nature of bright and pure colors... Many years ago, Karim excluded the color black from his own wardrobe. He also practically does not use it when developing the design of packaging or accessories. Now Rashid's favorite colors are pink and white.

Karim prefers to use not traditional natural materials, but modern ones - on a synthetic basis. To make an item cheap, convenient and practical, you need to use the latest technology. The designer is confident that only giving up nostalgia will help change the world for the better.

Awards

Karim Rashid, whose works are exhibited in many museums around the world, has more than three hundred awards and prizes. Among them: "Industrial Design Excellence Award" (1998), "Daimler Chrysler Design Award" (1999), "George Nelson Design Award" (1999), "Silver Idea Award" (1999), award for best restaurant design from Esquire Magazine " (2003) and many others.

Teaching

Karim gives lectures, conducts presentations and master classes around the world. Rashid enjoys sitting on the jury of various design competitions. He also taught industrial design for 10 years, teaching the craft at the Ontario College of Art, the Rhode Island School, and the Pratt Institute. The Concoran College of Design and the Arts even awarded the hero of this article the honorary title of Doctor.

Sensual minimalism

This is the name of the direction that Rashid Karim introduced into architecture. In this case, the interior becomes a kind of sphere on the verge of the virtual world, which absorbs a person, and reality, filled with phenomena and objects that have long-studied physical properties. Karim's interiors are not science fiction; he tries to fully adapt them to the needs of modern people. According to Rashid, people are now increasingly moving into virtual space, and therefore the physical world carries a different meaning. Surrounding objects turn into technological objects. High-tech style cannot be denied, because it is a clear expression of the modern lifestyle.

Futurism

Many of Karim's designs are distinguished by the presence of this artistic movement. He tries to connect the real world with the virtual, nature with high-tech, social with physical. As a result, Rashid’s creative hand produced: a touch screen (used in hotel rooms for typing any text), plastic chess (never falls, as it is inserted into the holes), a rubber TV remote control (as if cast from pure gold), a computerized pavilion (every step of a person walking along it is accompanied by certain musical chords, and any mortal can feel like a composer).

Refusal of the ordinary

Karim is sure that any person who has lived for some time in the interior he has invented will never return to a traditional setting. After all, its “internal design” will change forever. He will begin to think that multifunctional furniture, a special ceiling height or correctly falling light are vital things. On the other hand, Rashid understands perfectly well that the final transition to the habitat he has invented will take place in the distant future.

Constant movement

Usually Karim is never satisfied with what he has done. He needs constant change and movement! Almost every week, the designer moves furniture, removes and adds objects in her own home. Rashid tries all the things he develops on himself first. One of his commandments is: “Addition by subtraction.” Its meaning is as follows: if a new object appears in the house, then something similar to it should disappear. For example, when you bought new socks, you need to get rid of the old ones. This way, there will always be the same number of items in the house and nothing unnecessary will accumulate. This is the beauty of Balance.

Music

Karim often compares this type of art to design. By the way, he has a special relationship with music - Rashid worked as an amateur DJ for more than ten years. Moreover, the designer likes not just one, but several different genres. All three of his iPods (30 gigabytes each) are jam-packed with tracks. Karim compares the creation of each design project to writing a song. To have a hit, you have to work hard.

Poplyuks

Design, like music, has its own directions. Rashid has his own - poplyuks. The hero of this article believes that beautiful, high-quality things should be available not only to the elite of society, but also to ordinary citizens. This concept of democratization runs through his entire work and is reflected even in the names of his objects. For example, high-heeled shoes are High (English high), a rug for a door threshold is Step (English step). And the names of the trash can and umbrella stand don’t even need translation - Korzina and Zontik.

Writer

Rashid Karim is the author of several books on design. He also wrote commandments (some of them are presented below) and a manifesto on this topic. According to the latter, modern design is the result of the interaction of a number of factors: the political and economic situation, social behavior, personal experience (internal and external). But the most important thing is an accurate understanding of the trends of modern culture.

Commandments of Rashid

Many of them can be used in your daily life:

• The past has no meaning.
• All we have is now and here.
• It is not the brand that creates the products, but vice versa.
• The most important component of life is experience. The essence of existence is human communication and the exchange of ideas.
• Constantly improve!
• Before making a final decision, having carefully thought and calculated everything, do it again.
• The world won't change on its own, you have to put effort into it.
• Love conquers everything.
• Thoughts are not tense, but relaxed.
• your life is your work.
• There are three types of people: some don’t care about culture, others buy it, and others produce it. Always stick to the last two.
• You always have to pay your bills. Learn this from those around you.
• Think about work first, not fame.
• The three main components of success are persistence, consistency and perseverance.
• Never stop there.
• Even if you cannot apply new technologies in your life, always treat them with respect.
• Instead of dreaming about something, just take it and make it happen.
• Thoughts are not deep, but broad.
• Complement addition with subtraction.
• Sensual minimalism is not as boring as regular minimalism.
• Understand that the very concept of “pleasure” and its meaning do not belong to the field of physiology, but rather to the field of psychology.
• Avoid the following words in both written and spoken language: “mass”, “ugly”, “boredom”, “class”, “taste”.
• Set yourself several tasks and do six things at once. This will prevent you from getting bogged down in everyday life.
• Buy not items, but experience.
• In the fight against depression, it is better not to resort to shopping or gluttony. Know that this is the lot of housewives exclusively.
• Try to eat as few carbohydrates as possible. You should not visit pastry shops and pizzerias.
• Remember: Antichrist is your laziness.
• Don't carry cash with you. Always pay only with a credit card.
• Keep thirty pairs of socks and the same number of sets of underwear in your wardrobe. With such a quantity there will never be problems with selection. Do laundry once a month.
• Work for fun, not reward. Or don't work at all.
• Quit if you don't like the job.
• Avoid hoarding. Having bought a new thing, immediately get rid of the old one.
• Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. Work on turning the latter into the former.
• Be aware that not every project may be promising.
• If you and a friend have fundamental differences in views, then do not count on fruitful cooperation.
• Reveal reality with “phenomenological” actions and surprises.
• Know that fate is on your side!

Conclusion

Rashid Karim rarely refuses orders, because he is interested in absolutely everything. The hero of this article believes that any subject is worthy of attention. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s the design of fittings or a huge house. And to the question: “What is your favorite creation?” he always answers: “Woman!”

Karim Rashid (1960) is a world-famous person who reveals his creative potential in a variety of areas of design: he can create a unique interior and original packaging. By the way, the design of the new Golden Gramophone figurine (2012) was also created by him.

For Karim there are no geographical boundaries: Japan and America, Greece and England - the master’s works can be found everywhere. The designer collaborates with companies Sony, Citibank, Issey Miyake, Prada, Guzzini, Estee Lauder, Tommy Hilfiger, Giorgio Armani.

His works are exhibited in the most famous museums in the world: the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Montreal, Tokyo Gas in Tokyo, Groningen Museum in Holland. But people can also see them every day in the most ordinary stores. For example, one of the bottles of Hugo Boss perfume, made in yellow, white and black colors. By the way, the master does not like black color, preferring light and cheerful tones. Rashid even excluded black items from his wardrobe.

Karim Rashid does not value design for the sake of design, which is visually beautiful but completely impractical, but true comfort. Therefore, the master chooses pleasant and modern materials, discreet colors, comfortable shapes and smooth curves. Agree, this is very important in our time, when form prevails over content, and beauty requires unprecedented sacrifices.

Karim Rashid was born in the Egyptian capital of Cairo in 1960. It is interesting that he received his upbringing in two countries: England and Canada. And later he studied in Italy and, it seems, even then he realized that the world has no boundaries. Karim's father, a television set designer and artist, introduced his son to the world of art, showing all its beauty. The designer opened his own studio at the age of 33, in 1993. And in 1995, the Umbra company agreed to produce a polypropylene trash can based on his idea, the price of which would not exceed $12.

Chairs, shelves, sofas, champagne stands, cabinets, lamps - Karim Rashid knows how to make any thing stylish and modern. The main thing is that he knows exactly how many materials and resources will be spent on its manufacture. Rashid is one of the few designers who doesn't have their head in the clouds, but approaches their inventions from a practical point of view, realizing what exactly is needed to get a new product into stores.

Karim also keeps up with the times, so instead of natural ones, he promotes synthetic materials that help make things cheaper and more modern. One day he realized that antique heavy furniture, belonging to the “bulky and dusty past,” was no longer relevant, and young people wanted freedom, lightness, light and individuality.

“The past is meaningless. It's finished. Their mentality (of young people) is skateboards, MP3s and Nike sneakers, this must certainly be reflected in the furniture they buy.", he says.

American industrialists call Karim a “sassy engineer.” He has a passion for plastic and industrial design and does his best to make consumer goods stylish and comfortable.

Interestingly, in Manhattan, around Times Square, there are manhole covers made by this famous designer for Con Edison (there are 150 of these covers in total). Rashid insisted that the hatches be transparent, but the customer did not shock ordinary people with such a spectacle.

Of course, Karim Rashid designs not only trash cans and sewer manholes. His list includes, for example, hotels. The five-star Semiramis in Athens, Greece, owned by the Yes! design hotel chain, is called the crown of the master’s creation and the hotel of the future. They say that everyone can feel like a real celebrity in it. The color scheme of the interior - light pink, orange, green and yellow - creates a feeling of peace and joy. Pop art, streamlined furniture, rounded corners and colorful objects look very unusual. It’s interesting that the designer developed literally everything in this project, down to every little detail: interiors, furniture, staff uniforms, design of shampoo bottles, signs on the doors...

Karim Rashid, a fan of everything modern, is, of course, a supporter of innovation. Equipment, gadgets and everything trendy are collected under one bright roof. And in the hall, if you go to the impromptu “exhibition” that the owners are organizing, you can see paintings by Sue Webster and Tim Noble.

In 2001, Karim Rashid released a book called “I want to change the world.” And it seems that the designer has already managed to do this.

Karim Rashid- famous industrial designer. He is half English and half Egyptian, Karim Rashid was born in Egypt and raised in Canada. He received his education in the field of industrial design at Carleton University in Ottawa (Canada), where he was awarded a bachelor's degree. And in 1982 he completed graduate school in Italy. Karim Rashid now lives in New York, where he runs his own design studio.

Everything he does is completely unconventional. Everything he offers to the world is received with a bang. In the last 10 years alone, Karim Rashid has received nearly 30 awards in the field of industrial design. He believes that furniture should reflect reality. And he tries to make objects that bring joy, simplify tasks and increase our level of beauty.

Karim Rashid launched about 2,500 designs into production: dishes and bottles for liquid soap, perfume bottles and packaging for cosmetics, clothing and jewelry, watches and toys, fashion accessories, packaging, fittings, lighting, as well as interiors, installations and other architectural projects . He designs everything, “from dishes to hotels.”

The designer admits that the final transition to his proposed habitat is a matter of the future. And in the present, Karim Rashid designs furniture for Alivar, BoConcept, Edra, Frighetto, Pure Design, Zerodisegno, Kartell, etc. Dishes for Mglass, Nambe, Micasa, Covo, lamps for Fosсarini, Penta, Artemide, household appliances for Gorenje .

1. Do not limit your capabilities to a narrow specialization - specialize in life as a whole.
2. Don't clutter your desk. It must always remain pristine, like a mountain peak. This helps you feel above the work routine and maintain both clarity of thought and good spirits.
3. Treat colleagues, subordinates and clients the way you would like to be treated.
4. Answer every email, phone call or fax you receive on the same day, no matter where you are or what you are doing.
5. Before you create something material, ask yourself whether there is any value or original idea in what you are going to do.
6. Try to keep abreast of everything related to the current project. Forget everything about a completed project as soon as you start working on a new one.
7. Never say, “I could have done it.” After all, you didn't do it.
8. Remember: to be is to create. (Heidegger)
9. Reveal reality with surprises and “phenomenological” actions.
10. Know that fate is always on your side.
11. Observe everything that happens around you, every person, every moment of time. And if you suddenly notice even the slightest clue, start working immediately.
12. Work for fun, not for reward. Or don't work at all.
13. Keep in mind that if you and your friend have a fundamental difference in views, then fruitful cooperation will not work, even if it seems to you that this is not the case.
14. Be aware that not every project is promising.
15. Everyone has weaknesses and strengths. Work to ensure that the former gradually turn into the latter.
16. If you realize that you are doing something badly, do something else.
17. Avoid hoarding. Try to maintain material balance - when buying one new thing, get rid of one old one.
18. If you don't like your job, quit.
19. Keep thirty identical sets of underwear and thirty identical pairs of socks in your wardrobe - and you will never have problems choosing a pair. Do laundry once a month.
20. Always carry only a credit card with you. Do not carry “real” money with you.
21. Remember: laziness is the Antichrist.
22. Eat as few carbohydrates as possible. Try not to go into pizzerias and bakeries.
23. Don't resort to shopping to help fight depression. Don’t engage in gluttony for the same purpose. Know that this is the lot of housewives.
24. Buy experiences, not objects.
25. Set yourself a variety of tasks and do six things at once. Only in this case you will never be bored.
26. Try to avoid the following expressions, both spoken and written: “taste”, “class”, “boredom”, “ugly”, “mass”.
27. Finally, understand that the concept of “pleasure” and what it means belongs more to the field of psychology than physiology.
28. Minimalism is boring, but sensual minimalism is what you need.
29. Try to realize: more means more.
30. Try to be honest with yourself: normal does not mean good.
31. Know that form follows the object just as the object follows its purpose.
32. Instead of dreaming about something, make it a reality.
33. Treat new technologies with respect, even if you cannot use them in everyday life.
34. Never be satisfied with what you have done.
35. Remember: persistence, consistency and perseverance are the three main components of success.
36. Don't think about fame, think about work.
37. Always pay your bills - learn this from others.
38. There are only three categories of people: some produce culture, others buy it, and others don’t care about it. Always stick to the first two.
39. Don’t even doubt it: work is life.
40. Think broadly, not deeply.
41. Think relaxed rather than tense.
42. Know: omnia vincit amor. (Love conquers all - lat.)
43. If you want the world to change, change it yourself. (Gandhi)
44. Before making a final decision, having thought everything over carefully, think it over one more time.
45. Constantly work on your life.
46. ​​Complete addition with subtraction.
47. Experience is the most important component of life. Exchange of ideas and human communication is the essence of existence.
48. It is not the brand that creates the product, but the product that creates the brand.
49. The past is meaningless.
50. Here and now is all we have.

Also in 2012, Karim Rashid developed a new design for the Golden Gramophone figurine.

Karim Rashid(Karim Rashid, 1960) is one of the most famous industrial designers in the world. Half English, half Egyptian, Karim Rashid was born in Egypt, raised in Canada, and completed his design courses in Naples. He believes that furniture should reflect reality. And he tries to make objects that bring joy, simplify tasks and increase our level of beauty.

“Set yourself a variety of tasks and do six things at once. Only in this case you will never be bored.”

And Karim Rashid comes up with: furniture and lamps, dishes and bottles for liquid soap, perfume bottles and packaging for cosmetics, clothing and jewelry, watches and toys. He designs everything, “from dishes to hotels.”

“Before you create anything tangible, ask yourself whether there is any value or original idea in what you are about to create.”

There is undoubtedly originality in his projects– about 70 works by Karim Rashid are exhibited in permanent collections in museums of modern art and design in different cities of the USA, Great Britain, Japan, Holland and other countries.

"Don't think about fame, think about work."

• come up with ways to make real design items cheaper;
• make new technologies make everyday life convenient, convenience beautiful, and beauty accessible;
• put computer technology at the service of mass production.

“Don’t even doubt it: work is life.”

Karim's life is planned out for the year ahead. He has already done more than 2000 works. Every month two of his exhibitions are held around the world. Karim Rashid wants to design everything: cars, planes, clothes, houses, robots.

“Remember: persistence, consistency and perseverance are the three main components of success.”

Futuristic habitat designs Karim Rashid seems too bold and distant to many. Although the designer himself believes that they are subject to harmony and convenience, and every thing in them is as useful as possible.

“A person who has once lived in my interior will never be able to return to a traditional setting, because the design from Karim Rashid will show him once and for all that such simple and pragmatic things as a window with the right incident light, or a special ceiling height, or multifunctional furniture is vitally important.”

True, the designer admits that the final transition to the habitat he proposed is a matter of the future. And in the present, Karim Rashid designs furniture for Alivar, BoConcept, Edra, Frighetto, Pure Design, Zerodisegno, Kartell, etc. Dishes for Mglass, Nambe, Micasa, Covo, lamps for Fosсarini, Penta, Artemide, household appliances for Gorenje . However, it does not occur to anyone to suspect Karim Rashid of self-interest.

“Work for fun, not for reward. Or don’t work at all.”