Honesty as the foremost principle

“What I like about Porsche Design is that they have the absolute ability to do it; they have authority – absolute authority,” is a powerful statement from the world-renowned British designer Ross Lovegrove. Authority is built on qualities such as expertise, tradition and authenticity – all values that we, as Studio F. A. Porsche, embody. Honesty holds a special place in this regard. Throughout the entire process a product undergoes with us – from the concept and design, through sketches and models, right down to the very last detail of the final product – we adhere to the principle set out by Prof. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche:

Authenticity – Commitment and Mission

“Good design is honest” – this is also the principle set out by design icon Dieter Rams in one of his ten principles of good design. Rams has close ties to the Ulm School of Design (HFG), which, after the Bauhaus, is regarded as Germany’s most internationally renowned design college. F. A. Porsche also spent inspiring years studying at the HFG Ulm, which had a decisive influence on him and cemented his approach to design. It was here that Ferdinand Alexander learnt to design a product according to its function (‘form follows function’). This was, and remains, a fundamental principle of the studio, one based on honesty and enabling the creation of timelessness. F. A. once said: ‘If you think through the function of an object, the form sometimes emerges of its own accord.’ For him, therefore, the perfect design emerges from the product itself, from the function it embodies, and from a construction that requires only minimal use of materials. In this process, the materials used – exclusively of the highest quality – are clearly evident. There is no place here for the superfluous, the unnecessary or decoration. Or, as Dieter Rams puts it: ‘Good design is as little design as possible’.

Genuine perfection

How we live up to our high standards of quality, functionality and authenticity is therefore a question of attitude. “We consider the essence and purpose of a product we are designing, examine suitable materials and ultimately find what we believe to be the perfect form,” explains Christian Schwamkrug, Design Director at Porsche Design. We challenge conventional functions, analyse and improve them, and, at best, reinvent them. Constantly rethinking designs, techniques and materials in new ways and applying them innovatively to other fields is part of our philosophy and passion. This results in authentic products that are independent of current fashions and free from contemporary trends. “Design must be honest” stands for a design approach that strives for genuine perfection – in technology, ergonomics, materials, form and function. Characterised by durability and relevance, it delivers maximum value for the user.

Form follows function

A classic example of this type of design is our ballpoint pen TecFlex P’ 3110, which our studio launched on the market in 1999. Its barrel consists of a stainless steel mesh, which is also used in the manufacture of high-performance engines for various applications. In addition to its exceptional texture, the TecFlex hose offers a high level of flexibility. a34> TecFlex hose offers high wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Above all however it allows it thanks to its elasticity the connection with a telescopic mechanism. To extend the lead of the pen, you simply press the barrel together. The sheath thus becomes a functional element. Apart from the TexFlex material, the ballpoint pen does not require any additional components. a69> ballpoint pen does not feature any further visual effects. The pen is still considered a classic and remains, alongside countless other products developed by us, an expression of consistent clarity and proof of timeless, honest design. Minimalist design. a96> timeless, honest design. Minimalist lines and purism are at the forefront. The focus on the essential is the principle of the studio, which to this day is not merely validity but always priority.

Focus on the essentials

Honesty is reflected not only in our approach, but also in our rigorous way of thinking. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, too, cherished his individuality and designed products only in the way he felt was right. Today, our designers continue to strive, with passion and without compromise, to create sustainable and enduring value. “Products developed from their function – and thus from within themselves – are understood intuitively. They resonate directly with the user and are perceived as trustworthy. That is what makes them authentic,” explains Christian Schwamkrug. “Design must be honest” is a guiding principle and our promise, which has shaped our past just as much as our present and future. Honesty is our clear fundamental attitude, approach and motivation. As our vision and mission, it has enabled the studio for decades to take on any object. From a ballpoint pen to a washing machine, from sunglasses to a cable car – every product design is based on the studio’s maxim of giving form to honesty. It is embodied day in, day out by the personalities of our designers and is one of the reasons why every object created at Studio F. A. Porsche has the potential to become a classic, and why we are recognised worldwide as an authority on design.