Friso Kramer

Friso Kramer (1922-2019) was a Dutch industrial designer whose work has an unobtrusive presence both indoors and outdoors. We still see his office furniture, chairs, and street lighting all around us today. Kramer’s designs are functional, timeless and innovative. They remain stylish and relevant to this day.

Born in 1922, Friso Kramer began experimenting with different materials and techniques at a young age. While studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague, he specialised in industrial design. And that did not go unnoticed. One of his best-known designs is the Revolt chair for Ahrend. A slender and functional chair, made of conventionally folded sheet steel. Unobtrusive and serving, just like his equally famous design of the green letterbox. In 1963, Kramer founded the design agency Total Design together with Wim Crouwel, Benno Wissing, Paul and Dick Schwarz. The agency became very influential in the field of graphic design and played an important role in the rise of Dutch Design.

Friso Kramer’s work has been a major influence on the international design world, making Kramer one of the most important designers in the Netherlands ever. His unmistakable mark on industrial design is still clearly visible today.

“If the shape does not contribute to the functionality, it has no right to exist.”

For Spectrum’s accessories collection, Kramer created the DH05 coat rack. This is more than just a functional item – it is a truly decorative piece in the home. The original design dates from 1954. In 2023, the DH05 coat rack was re-released by Spectrum, under Studio RENS’ creative direction.