Gary Hustwit announces documentary and archival project into the life and work of Dieter Rams

Last night, filmmaker and photographer Gary Hustwit announced a new documentary feature about the celebrated German designer Dieter Rams, seeking funding through a 30-day incentive-rich Kickstarter campaign.

As one of the most influential designers of our time, Dieter Rams has never been subject of a dedicated documentary. A notably private man, his considerable design work and craft has gone on to inspire generations of designers. “This film is an opportunity to celebrate a designer whose work continues to impact us, and preserve an important piece of design history,” says Hustwit.

The documentary Rams, given unprecedented access to Rams and his archives, aims to peer into the creative process and man behind the work, featuring in-depth conversations with the 84-year-old designer who came to define some of the most famous brands like Braun and Vitsœ.

In addition, the larger project under Hustwit’s helm is seeking to collate, preserve and digitise the extensive materials from his most iconic designs: including everything from drawings, photographs, and other material spanning Dieter’s career, to ideas and conceptions never before seen by the public.

Creative agency Build has produced a series of posters for the project, overlaying typography with motifs of some of Dieter Rams’ iconic work.

New York-based independent filmmaker Gary Huswit is most famous for his design and typography documentary trilogy Helvetica, Objectified and Urbanized, and has made a name for himself covering reclusive musical pioneers in the likes of Moog and Mavis! for HBO.

The Kickstarter campaign launched on 22 June, with a target of $200,000, carrying a number of limited-edition artefacts and vintage objects as incentives.