Dieter Rams, the product-design mastermind behind four decades of Braun products (and this iconic watch), first published Less, but Better in 1995. Though the book has since gone out of print, the titular phrase has withstood as emblematic of his approach to design. Or better yet, how Rams would say it “Weniger, aber besser”.

The classic has now been revisited in a new edition that was just released this March by Gestalten, Less, but Better being a collection of his ideas on design, including the ever-relevant principles which still stand firmly as the 10 Commandments of Design Theory: Good design is innovative. Good design makes a product useful. Good design is aesthetic. Good design is 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.

If you missed your shot at the hardcover ensemble of his work Less and More a couple years back — which we reviewed way back, but then sold out — then don’t miss out and get moving on 155 pages of the softcover classic Less, but Better renewed for $40.

Less, but more previews (and some video of the master himself) below…

Dieter Rams: Less and More Interview from Gestalten on Vimeo.