DESIGN = ART FOR USE

We named our online shop THE DESIGN GIFT SHOP because for many years we are passionately enthralled by design. We draw on an European background and extensive experience in architecture (25 years of contribution to large scale projects e.g. olympic games, world exhibition), graphic design (15 years of book design), and art (museum and exhibition design). But we have never ceased to be curious about new tendencies in design and are still keen to learn more about it everyday.

Many try to define what good design might be. Dieter Rams gave us some hints about good design in his famous ten rules: "Good design is innovative. Good design makes a product useful. Good design is aesthetic. Good design helps a product to be understood. Good design is unobtrusive. Good design is honest. Good design is durable. Good design is consistent to the last detail. Good design is environmentally friendly. Good design is as little design as possible." We still want to add, a little humor does not hurt.

Above is a poster with the slogan of the New Collection, the Museum of Modern Art in Munich, which has accompanied me since my studies back in the 80's. "Design is Art that makes itself useful " or reintepreted "design = art for use". This slogan is another wonderful way to describe what design should be.

The selection of gifts that we offer at THE DESIGN GIFT SHOP is a result of our search among thousands of items for objects which can relate to this slogan.

Your interest in our web site shows that you are also very design conscious and we hope that you will find the right gift for your loved ones, friends, partners, business contacts or -  for yourself!

Thank you for looking in and enjoy your visit,

Kurt Schuessler