"I Dont Work, I Dream" Philippe Starck

Philippe Starck is truly a master of design. Born in 1949 in Paris France he has grown up to become known as not only a French product designer but also a creator as well as an architect. Starck’s father was an engineer and architect who Starck attributes to giving him the ability and desire to design and dream that anything is possible. He designs everything from interior decorating and furniture to consumer goods. Starck has truly lived up to this idea and has accomplished more then he ever believed he would and is still going strong

Starck went to school in Paris and started out with his first design firm which was focused on inflatable objects and soon after became art director of said firm. It wasn’t until about 13 years later when Starck got the opportunity to design the interior of the apartment for the French President which sent his career into the fast track.

He is best known for his Juicy Salif (essentially the lemon squeezer) which he created in 1990 which has been called an icon of industrial design and was even displayed in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. In America he is known for his product design which he created in 2002 for Target. He has worked with many different companies and people and has created objects of all different uses and functions. His most recent designs include many different yachts, the optical mouse for Microsoft and even a brand new packaging for a beer company.

As far as more of his products go he has created a stylized toothbrush, the first toothbrush sterilizer and wireless speakers for the ipod and iphone just to name a few.
He is also famous for his furniture for the Italian manufacture Kartell. His Bubble Club sofa and Ghost Chair are world famous. His Bubble Club Chair in particular is seen on the TV series Boston Legal on the outside balcony of Denny Cranes office where every episode ends.

He has also produced many interior designs. His restaurant designs include The Peninsula Hong Kong as well as the Café Costes in Paris. He has redesigned the Royalton Hotel as well as the Paramount in New York City the Delano Hotel in Miami, the Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles, the St. Martins Lane Hotel and the Sanderson Hotel both in London and the Clift hotel in San Francisco. He has also created Jia his first boutique hotel in Asia. He has also designed his own properties featuring solely his interiors as well has having redecorated public places like Le Meurice in Paris which he did along side of his daughter.

But that is not were it ends. Starck had designed a whole line of watches with Fossil, has an entire design of windmills for energy saving, all products from the kitchen to the bathroom to baby monitors. He has designed motorcycles to luggage and clothes to food products. Truly there is nothing this man cannot do.

What sets Starck apart from the rest is not only his chic products and looks but the economically availability of his products as well. He strives for his products to be affordable, efficient and environmentally safe. He prides himself on not producing single objects of great expense but usable objects that he helps mass produce.

Now at 61 years old and with four children and now his fourth wife Philippe is not close to slowing down. He takes care of public relations in Paris, works in New York City and spends the rest of his time between Burano Italy and London. With more than 14 design awards under his belt he is continuing to revolutionize the world of design and function.

Bibliography

Alix, Browne. “Profile in Style: Philippe Starck.” New York Times Magazine (2008): 134. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 18 Feb. 2010

“Philippe Starck on Design and Politics.” BusinessWeek Online (2008): 15. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 18 Feb. 2010

Starck, Philippe. Philippe Stark Network. Markus Kern. Web. 15 Feb. 2010