Ettore Sottsass
- Born:
- September 14, 1917, Innsbruck, Austria-Hungary
- Died:
- December 31, 2007, Milan, Italy
- Nationality:
- Italian
- Profession(s):
- Architect, Designer
Early Life and Education
- Born to Ettore Sottsass Sr., an architect.
- Received a degree in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Turin in 1939.
- Served in the Italian army during World War II and spent time in a concentration camp in Yugoslavia.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his design career in the late 1940s.
- Worked as a design consultant for Olivetti from 1958 to 1980, designing typewriters and office equipment.
- Founded the Memphis Group in 1981, a design collective that challenged modernist conventions with its colorful and unconventional designs.
- Received the Royal Designer for Industry award from the Royal Society of Arts in 1994.
Notable Works
- Olivetti Elea 9003 computer (1959)
- Valentine typewriter for Olivetti (1969)
- Carlton Room Divider (1981)
- Various furniture and product designs for the Memphis Group.
Legacy and Impact
Ettore Sottsass significantly influenced 20th-century design through his pioneering work with Olivetti and the Memphis Group. His designs challenged conventional aesthetics and embraced playful, unconventional forms and materials. Many design enthusiasts look to examples like the ettore sottsass biography template to find inspiration from his work.
Notable Works
| Work | Description | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Olivetti Elea 9003 | Early mainframe computer design. | 1959 |
| Valentine Typewriter | Portable typewriter, a design icon. | 1969 |
| Carlton Room Divider | Postmodern furniture piece. | 1981 |
Legacy and Impact
Sottsass's work continues to inspire designers and artists today. His rejection of functionalist dogma and embrace of playful, decorative elements helped to pave the way for postmodernism and other contemporary design movements. His impact is evident in the continued appreciation for his contributions to furniture, product, and architectural design.