Luigi Colani
90/10
Prototypes, Design Editions, Furniture, Drawings
The Works
COLANI BIODESIGN CODEX SHOW
Luigi Colani, an icon of industrial design, gained worldwide recognition for his futuristic works with extremely flowing lines and organic shapes. He broke the boundaries of convention, particularly in the automotive and aviation sectors.
Colani was born in Berlin in 1928. His father was a Swiss-Italian film architect and his mother worked in German theater. From an early age, Colani used his imagination and craftsmanship to create his own toys. In 1947, he learned sculpture and painting at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Berlin. He then studied aerodynamics at the École Polytechnique in Paris and Analytical Philosophy at the Sorbonne in Paris. As a shape and form scientist, he aimed to redesign standardized products with flawless ergonomics.
Over the years, he developed the 90/10 BioDesign formula, which states that "90 percent of his work is inspired by nature and 10 percent by his own creativity", leading to his recognition as "the most influential designer of the 20th century".
Throughout his life, he played a significant role in the design of sports cars. In the 1960s, Colani collaborated with many renowned automobile brands such as Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Volkswagen and BMW, some of the most notable projects of the 20th century. From the 1970s onwards, Colani expanded his artistic vision beyond vehicles to include furniture, household appliances and electronics, as well as trucks, trains, airplanes, spaceships and aircraft turbines that are still in use today. In 2019, Colani's outstanding journey came to an end, culminating a lifelong dedication to groundbreaking designs and leaving behind an extraordinary career as a pioneering designer.
Not only was Colani a pioneer in the field, but he was also passionate about integrating ecological principles into his designs. His BioDesign formula influenced an entire generation of designers and set new standards for sustainability. He defined an era of futuristic design, thereby paving the way for environmentally conscious product design.
The BioDesign Foundation, a visionary organization based on Colani's life's work and principles, today leads a multi-faceted approach to environmental protection.