Philippe Starck, a French Interior and Product designer

Subversive, ethical, ecological, political, fun: this is how I see my duty as a creator.” Philippe Starck.

As a designer, Phillippe Starck has a mission and vision. Whatever he creates, no matter what shape, must accommodate the largest number of people possible. His designs are often streamlined, stylized and organic. Starck designs use a range of different materials such as glass, plastic aluminium, plush fabric amongst others.

In the late 1900s he founded his own company, Starck Product which was later renamed to Ubik. Here he initiated his collaborations with the biggest design manufacturers in Italy and the world.

Philippe Starck could best be described as a post modernist designer in the New Design style. As we are in the Post-Modernism era, competition in the design industry is getting tougher and for this reason Starck strives to create imaginative, out of this world designs.

Inflatable House by Starck in 1969

 The Inflatable house by Starck was created as a tribute to the designer Quasar who he had worked with on various inflatable projects.

This house was based on the idea of materiality and was the starting point of his career.

Miss Less

His work is characterised by his unconventional, abstract designs. Much of his work produced in the 1980's and 1990's was influenced by fashion and novelty. His style is sleek and daring, taking everyday objects and giving them a twist. His projects are meant to surprise people and he does not conform to any rule in particular. He works according to his emotions. Basically you either adore his work or hate it. There is no in between.

Juicy Salif by Philippe Starck

This lemon squeezer was designed by Philippe Starck for the company Alessi. It is made from mirror-polished aluminium casting. This lemon squeezer is not only a symbol of Starck but also a symbol of the brand Alessi. Starck came up with the idea for this juicer while he was on holiday by the sea in Italy, and sketched it on a pizzeria napkin.

The Juicy Salif was produced in 1990. It is iconic to Industrial Design and has been displayed in The Museum of Modern Art in New York.  Stark took inspiration from the squid which he had ordered while sprinkling lemon juice all over it.

Raygun gothic rocket ship

Sean Orlando, David Shulman, Nathanial Taylor

The 'Raygun gothic rocket ship' is a large-scale 40′ tall rocket ship installation. Participants can interactively explore the rocket’s three interior chambers accessible through the bottom of the rocket and the top of the rocket via the gantry. It was directly inspired from Philippe Starck's 'Juicy Salif'.

Louis Ghost Chair by Philippe Stark  

This specific chair was introduced in 2002. It is made

out of the durable polycarbonate and is a remake of a Louis the 15th chair, only made using new materials.  Louis Ghost is the most daring example in the world of injected polycarbonate in one single mold. It is one of Starck's classical signature designs, which till this day is still popular.

Holy Ghost chair by Lionel Theodore Dean

This chair was directly inspired from Starck's Louis Ghost chair
This design was digitally modified from the Louis Ghost chair. It explores a post-industrial age in which 3D artifacts can be "printed" directly from computer data. Even though these chairs are digitally manufactured, they are still one off pieces. The design was influenced by the natural growth of nature.

Anson, J. (Friday, 15th February 2013). Philippe Starck to design Carmes Haut-Brion winery. Available: http://www.decanter.com/news/wine-news/583622/philippe-starck-to-design-carmes-haut-brion-winery. Last accessed 19th January 2014.

Salhi, S. (2013). Inflatable House by Starck in 1969 tribute to Quasar Khanh Amazing designer at this time.. Available: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/508906826613094919/. Last accessed 19th January 2014.

Starck, P. (2012). Miss Less. Available: http://www.starck.com/en/design/categories/furniture/chairs.html#miss_less. Last accessed 19th January 2014.

JESSICAD. (2012). Philippe Starck. Available: ttp://industrial.design.iastate.edu/501/2012/08/27/philippe-starck/. Last accessed 19th January 2014.

Watson-Smyth, K . (2010). The Secret History Of: Philippe Starck's lemon squeezer. Available: http://www.independent.co.uk/property/interiors/the-secret-history-of-philippe-starcks-lemon-squeezer-1972849.html. Last accessed 19th January 2014.

Paquette, J. (2011). Raygun Gothic Rocket Ship. Available: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/54280266. Last accessed 19th January 2014.

Marshall, J. (2006). FutureFactories- Holy Ghost 2. Available: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rootoftwo/267284228/. Last accessed 19th January 2014.