22/01/12 – Noto ballpoint pen designed by Naoto Fukasawa for German pen manufacturer Lamy in 2008. Design is restricted to essential functions with a view to good writing. Casing profile is triangular and made of heavy plastic with a matte surface.

Sources and more information
Lamy GmbH

18/03/11 – Selections from the packaging and documentation of Richter’s Anchor Stone Building Set No. 8 (Anker Steinbaukasten No. 8), first issued in 1894.

Selection includes:

• Schematic for the arrangement and storage of stone blocks
• Box cover graphic featuring the goddess Architecture
• Richter’s designs for architectural models: cover and select contents of the architectural designs manual
• The practical architect: cover and select contents of the sections booklet

All images courtesy of the impressively comprehensive Collection of Anchor materials

Sources and more information
Anker Stones Germany
Collection of Anchor materials

27/11/09 – A selection of diagrams and information graphics from Bauhaus publications by Gropius, Itten, Kandinsky , Klee, Moholy-Nagy, Schlemmer, et al.

Sources and related information
More images//

11/10/07 – Source:  Wallpaper* magazine (103),  guest editor: Dieter Rams

01. Good design is innovative
It does not copy existing product forms, nor does it produce and kind of novelty for the sake of it. The essence of innovation must be clearly seen in all functions of a product. The possibilities, in this respect, are by no means exhausted. Technological development keeps offering new chances for innovative solutions.

02. Good design makes a product useful
The product is purchased in order to be used. It must serve a defined purpose –in both primary and additional functions. The most important task of design is to optimize the utility of a product.

03. Good design is aesthetic
The aesthetic quality of a product –and the fascination it inspires– is an integral part of the product’s utility. Without doubt, it is uncomfortable and tiring to have to put up with products that are confusing, that get on your nerves, that you are unable to relate to. However, it has always been a hard task to argue about aesthetic quality for two reasons. Firstly, it is difficult to talk about anything visual, since words have a different meaning for different people. Secondly, aesthetic quality deals with details, subtle shades, harmony and the equilibrium of a whole variety of visual elements. A good eye is required, schooled by years and years of experience, in order to be able to draw the right conclusion.

04. Good design helps a product to be understood
It clarifies the structure of the product. Moreover, the product speaks, in a sense. Optimally, the product is self-explanatory and saves you the long, tedious perusal of the operating manual.

05. Good design is unobtrusive
Products that answer this criterion are tools. They are neither decorative objects nor works of art. Their design should always be neutral, they must not be seen, they must underline their usefulness.

06. Good design is honest
An honestly designed product must not claim features it does not have –being more innovative, more efficient, of higher value. It must not influence or manipulate buyers and users.

07. Good design is durable
Nothing trendy that might be out of date tomorrow. This is one of the major differences between well-designed products and trivial objects for a waste-producing society. Waste must no longer be tolerated.

08. Good design is consistent to the last detail
Thoroughness and accuracy of design are synonymous with the product and its functions, as seen through the eyes of the user.

09. Good design is concerned with the environment
Design must contribute towards a stable environment and a sensible use of raw materials. This means considering not only actual pollution, but also the visual pollution and destruction of the environment.

10. Good design is as little design as possible
Back to purity, back to simplicity.