Karim Rashid

An idealist and a prolific designer, Karim Rashid is today one of the most original figures in the world of design.
He has over 4,000 projects currently in progress, has won around 300 awards, and has clients in more than 40 countries. Karim’s ability to go beyond his creativity makes him a leading force amongst the designers of his generation. He turns his back on style in favour of modern design; Karim’s projects include luxury items for Christofle, Alessi and Veuve Clicquot; accessible products for Umbra, bobble and 3M; timeless furniture for Bonaldo, Tonelli, BoConcept and Vondom; stunning lighting systems for Artemide and Fontana Arte; high-tech products for Asus and SirinLabs; surface designs for Marburg and Abet Laminati; iconic graphic designs for Citibank and Sony Ericsson; and packaging designs that have won him awards, such as those for Method, Paris Baguette, Kenzo and Eos. Karim’s influence extends beyond homeware to include the interior design of restaurants such as Amoje Food Capital in South Korea; hospitality design for the nhow Hotel Berlin and budget hotels for Prizeotels in Bremen and Hanover; public spaces such as the ‘Università’ metro station in Naples; and commercial design for Fun Factory in Berlin and Munich. He has also collaborated on numerous design exhibitions for clients such as DuPont Corian, Deutsche Bank, PepsiCo and Audi.

In 2017, Karim launched KURV Architecture D.P.C. with Alex Hughes AIA as a partner, offering a unique approach across a range of disciplines including architecture, investment and development. The numerous awards he has received highlight Karim’s active contribution to the world of design. He has been recognised on several occasions with the Red Dot Award, the Chicago Athenaeum Good Design Award, the Pentawards and the IDSA Industrial Design Excellence Award. He has been awarded honorary degrees from Carleton University, the Pratt Institute, OCAD in Toronto, the British Institute of Interior Design, and the Corcoran College of Art & Design. Karim’s contemporary artworks include digital prints, installations, public art and sculpture. His works are featured in 20 permanent collections at various art institutions around the world, including the Brooklyn Museum of Art, MoMA and the Centre Pompidou.

He has exhibited his work globally and frequently collaborates with the Venice Biennale. He is represented by the Sandra Gering Gallery in New York City. Karim, a cultural influencer, is frequently invited to speak at world-class academic conferences, with the aim of changing the world by making design a subject of public discourse. Furthermore, he is frequently featured on digital platforms and in the press by media outlets such as CNN, Vogue, Elle, GQ, The New York Times and many others. This influence enables Karim to fulfil his ambition of raising awareness of the importance of design in everyday life. Karim’s latest monograph, XX (Design Media Publishing, 2015), presents 400 pages of selected works from the past 20 years. Other monographs include *From The Beginning*, a story of Karim’s life and inspiration (Forma, 2014); *Sketch*, which features 300 hand-drawn sketches (Frame Publishing, 2011); *KarimSpace*, which showcases 36 of Karim’s interior designs (Rizzoli, 2009); *Design Your Self*, Karim’s guide to living (HarperCollins, 2006); *Digipop*, a digital exploration of graphic design (Taschen, 2005); *Compact Design Portfolio* (Chronicle Books, 2004); as well as the classic titles *Evolution* (Universe, 2004) and *I Want to Change the World* (Rizzoli, 2001). In his spare time, Karim is drawn to art, fashion and music. His great determination enables him to creatively engage with every aspect of our physical and virtual landscape.