Now 93 years old, Dieter Rams is widely regarded as one of the most influential industrial designers of the 20th century. His classic retrospective exhibition is brought to Hong Kong for the first time. The Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), in collaboration with the Dieter and Ingeborg Rams Foundation (rams foundation) and the Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation (BCAF), is proud to present the exhibition “Dieter Rams: Less, but better” from today until 3 May 2026 at the HKDI Experience Centre. Following its showings in Beijing and Shanghai, this marks the exhibition’s premiere in Hong Kong, underscoring HKDI’s commitment to introducing world-class design to Hong Kong, fostering local design education and cultural exchange.
Dieter Rams spent much of his career at the German consumer electronics company Braun, while also collaborating with furniture manufacturer Vitsœ to create numerous timeless products that remain in everyday use. His work continues to inspire contemporary brands such as Apple and Muji. His guiding philosophy – “Less, but better” – anticipates today’s global concerns around environmental conservation and resource protection. He famously formulated the “Ten Principles of Good Design”: good design is innovative, useful, aesthetic, understandable, unobtrusive, honest, long-lasting, thorough down to the last detail, environmentally friendly, and as little design as possible. These principles continue to shape the global design community, embodying the perfect balance of function and aesthetics while inspiring later generations’ thinking on sustainable design.
Curated by Professor Klaus Klemp, Executive Director of the rams foundation, and Cui Qiao, President of the Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation, the exhibition traces Rams’ creative journey across more than half a century, highlighting how his forward-thinking approach addresses contemporary issues of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
The exhibition focuses on his signature furniture, household appliances, radios, audio equipment, and photographic devices, complemented by selected design pieces, sketches, photographs, and films. Visitors are offered a rare opportunity to engage closely with world-class design, providing valuable inspiration for Hong Kong’s design community and the wider public.
This exhibition has been specially enhanced with two new sections: “Ingeborg Rams’ Photographic Works” and “Braun Clocks and Calculators”. As Dieter Rams’ long-time partner and key collaborator, Ingeborg Rams documented through her photography how Rams put his design principles into practice over nearly half a century. In addition, the “Braun Clocks and Calculators” section presents a display of the design evolution—from folding alarm clocks and digital desk clocks to analogue and digital wristwatches. It showcases the thinking behind “time design” by Dieter Rams and his long-term collaborator, the industrial designer Dietrich Lubs, offering a comprehensive design reference for a new generation of designers.
The exhibition shows how Rams pushed back against growing consumerism by championing rational design and products built to last. It brings his “Less, but better” philosophy to life by focusing on what is essential, creating objects that are genuinely useful, durable, and free from unnecessary excess. The exhibition encourages both the public and future designers to think sustainably and act responsibly in a world of limited resources, and to carry the spirit of “Less, but better” into everyday life and creative work.
Professor Klaus Klemp, curator, said: “Less, but better can apply to many fields, not just design: to the organization of our lives, to our food and drink, or to our communication.”
HKDI has long been committed to bringing great design to Hong Kong and nurturing a culture of creativity. Through high‑quality exhibitions, the Institute gives the public meaningful access to international design thinking and best practice, helping to energise the city’s creative landscape and strengthen its role as a centre for design education and exchange.
The “Dieter Rams: Less, but better” exhibition reflects this global outlook. By introducing classic German industrial design to local audiences, it supports dialogue, learning, and the continued growth of Hong Kong’s design community.
Exhibition date and time: Today until 3 May 2026, 10 AM – 8 PM
Event Venue
HKDI Gallery, MTR Tiu Keng Leng Station Exit A2, 3 King Ling Rd, Tseung Kwan O, 香港, Hong Kong (SAR)
HKD 0.00
