Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck, Austria, in 1917. He grew up in Turin, Italy, where his father was an architect. There, he studied at the Politecnico di Torino and graduated in 1939. He gained interest in the design world after meeting the designer George Nelson on a trip to New York. Then, in 1948 he founded his own studio of architecture and graphic design. In 1980, he became one of the founders of the Memphis group, which he was a part of until 1985. In that year, he founded the studio Sottsass Associati.
His pieces are characterized by being colourful, unusual, innovative and geometric. This particular style can be evidenced in all the different products he designed: cutlery, furniture, sculptures, office machinery, jewellery and architecture. Among his most recognized designs are the Valentine typewriter, the Carlton bookcase, the Milano airport, the Ghella house and the Torino Esposizioni.
In my opinion, his pieces are eye-catching, and I find it fascinating how he achieves such captivating and unique pieces with so few elements. His works never look over-designed; there is a certain simplicity in everything he designed, but at the same time, they are striking.
