Richard Sapper is one of the most consequential designers of the 20th century. Author Kazuhiko Yamazaki shares a professional journey with Sapper spanning 40 years. The book Richard Sapper Design draws on a wealth of firsthand observation, interaction and fresh perspectives of Sapper’s creations accompanied by newly commissioned photographs mapping to the conceptual essence of each Sapper design. This comprehensive introduction aims to convey the allure of his legacy and practical lessons gained from learning together.
Sapper was born in Munich. After graduating, Sapper worked at the design department of Daimler-Benz. He moved to Milan to work for Gio Ponti’s architectural firm. An era of collaboration with Marco Zanuso birthed many designs. His designs are including kitchenware at Alessi and the legendary yet still contemporary Tizio lamp for Artemide earning the prestigious Compasso d’Oro award. From 1981 Sapper serves as design consultant for IBM across product lines including the iconic IBM ThinkPad (today Lenovo). ThinkPad and his work for IBM is in the permanent collection of the New York Museum of Modern Art.
Sapper’s German roots flourish when planted in Italy resulting in design characterized by a blend of logic and sensibility. Each creation exudes both functionality that endures over time and embraces aesthetic appeal that invites admiration. Richard Sapper Design includes contributions from Dorit Sapper, his spouse, longtime collaborator Albert Alessi, and insights from former IBM colleagues Tom Hardy, David Hill, Kevin Clark, and Tomoyuki Takahaski. Dive into this book to discover why Sapper’s work endures and continues to contribute to society and the world of design today.