With his “less, but better” philosophy, Dieter Rams is one of the most influential designers to emerge in the 20th century. The pared-down designs he created during his career-spanning tenure at the German electronics company, Braun, began with his wall-mounted 606 Universal Shelving System intended for the company’s new, modern offices. His many innovations as the leader of the design team at the company paved the way for a new generation of designers focused on simplicity and practicality, including Apple’s Jonathan Ive. Rams was not only ahead of his time when it came to aesthetics; the designer has long been an advocate for the “end to the era of wastefulness,” promoting design that is as environmentally friendly as it is easy to use.