Richard Sapper, was born in 1932 in Munich and died in Milan in 2015, was one of the most important designers of his generation. The German industrial designer and university teacher started his career at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart after completing his studies in business management at the University of Munich in 1956. The subjects he chose, ranging from philosophy to engineering science, provide a hint at Sapper's manifold interests. Throughout his life he thought of his work as possessing political and a social meaning.
Richard Sapper demonstrated his exceptional talent as early as the 1950s, when he designed the streamlined outside mirrors of the Mercedes Benz 300 SL Roadster. In 1958, Richard Sapper moved to Milan, which became his new home. He first worked at Gio Ponti's architecture office, and collaborated with the designer Marco Zanuso since 1959.
He was awarded his first Compasso d'Oro for the Static table clock, but other works of his also received this important design award, not least of all his innovative Tizio light for Artemide.
Tizio was the first low voltage table lamp ever, with its metal arms serving as electricity conductors, which made cables superfluous. Thanks to its stunning shape, Tizio is one Artemide's most famous lights and is still very popular.
Many products developed at Richard Sapper's studio are now iconic designer classics, whether it is an Alessi coffee-maker or a Tizio light fixture. The award-winning designer was also highly respected for his teaching activities and the Italian translation of Paul Klee's diary.
For Sapper, design meant to give a meaning to a shape. This differentiation from a purely functionalistic design idea makes his creations unique to this day.