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DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT: KARIM RASHID

A meeting with one of the world's most prolific designers

Despite the numerous awards hanging from his proverbial belt, Karim Rashid is curiously approachable. He states that he has “let go” of his ego, removing his attachment from prizes and accolades. It’s true that he manifests a certain removal from his success, a distance that, at times, flirts with a careful self-deprecation.

The Egyptian-born designer walks a delicate line. He speaks intensely of bettering the world. He expresses a desire to contribute, to add, to enhance – a design philosophy that does not fully align with modern minimalist tendencies. “Minimalism, or modernism, is kind of a reductive idea, [the idea] that we lived with less. It all sounds good idea on paper, but in reality, that’s not how 99% of people live,” Rashid explains. However, he doesn’t reject the idea. Far from it. Rather, he uses minimalism to create streamlined products with very human applications.

In some ways, Karim Rashid creates democratized design, which is surely an element of his success. He creates universal products that can be used and appreciated by just about everyone. Many of his objects are useful.

Even beyond the universality of his products, Rashid also demonstrates a marked intelligence, for business and design. He mentioned the lack of design for the world’s aging population, stating, “If you look at a lot of our products – digital cameras, nothing is designed for the elderly. We’re forgetting about them.” An interesting idea. We’ll be interested to see what he contrives.

Be sure to watch the entire conversation with Karim Rashid.

A Conversation With Karim Rashid

Details

  • New York, NY, USA
  • KARIM RASHID