Memphis Design

Founded by Ettore Sottsass + Memphis Group · Milan, Italy, 1981

Philosophy

The Story

The Memphis Group was founded in Milan in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass and a group of designers who had had enough of good taste. Their first meeting was at a restaurant called Dolce & Gabbana (not that one). They named themselves after a Bob Dylan song. Their designs — asymmetric shapes, bold colors, geometric patterns, laminate materials — were immediately polarizing. Critics called them ugly. Collectors now pay hundreds of thousands for original pieces. The idea: design should provoke, entertain, and exist outside of good taste. Memphis died as quickly as it was born. By 1988 the group had dissolved. But its influence on graphic design, product design, and contemporary aesthetics is everywhere.

Design Parameters

Best For

Notable Examples