Design

Design Icons: 32 Teenage Engineering 

Today, I’d like to introduce you to a design studio that, in my opinion, embodies the design ethos reminiscent of Braun under Dieter Rams and Apple in the early 2000s. Their aesthetic is strongly influenced by the strict and rational principles of German industrial design.

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Beauty matters - Wannabe Polymath. Interested in art, music, history, philosophy and faith.

Teenage Engineering is a Swedish design studio renowned for its innovative and aesthetically pleasing electronic products, particularly in the realm of audio equipment, but recently also in electronic devices.

Founded in 2005 by Jesper Kouthoofd, Jens Rudberg, and David Eriksson, the company embodies a philosophy that combines youthful energy with a unique approach on design and technology.

Kouthoofd, who also serves as the company’s CEO, has a background in graphic design and advertising. Before Teenage Engineering, he worked in advertising and co-founded the creative collective Acne.

His journey through various creative fields equipped him with a unique perspective that he brought into the design of electronic instruments.

The name "Teenage Engineering" was inspired by a misheard lyric from the song “Teenage Angst” by the Swedish band Soundtrack of Our Lives. It reflects the company's culture of maintaining a teenage-like spirit.

One of Teenage Engineering's most iconic products is the OP-1 synthesizer, a compact and highly portable instrument that combines a synthesizer, sampler, and sequencer in a sleek, all-in-one package.

Released in 2011, the OP-1 quickly gained a cult following among musicians and producers for its unique sound, intuitive interface, and impressive array of features packed into a compact design.

With their studio based in Stockholm, Teenage Engineering has collaborated with IKEA, but also with upcoming technology brands like Nothing, Panic and Rabbit.

In their collaboration with Nothing, Teenage Engineering helped design the ear (1), and for the Rabbit R1, Teenage Engineering infused their signature playful design ethos into this AI-powered device.

Teenage Engineering's approach to design is deeply rooted in their belief in physical products and tactile interfaces. Unlike many modern technology companies that prioritize digital experiences, Teenage Engineering embraces the tangible and tactile nature of their creations.

Their products are meticulously crafted to provide a satisfying and intuitive user experience, with a focus on clarity and functional design reminiscent of the legendary work of Dieter Rams for Braun and Jony Ive's iconic designs for Apple.

Further reading:

https://teenage.engineering/

https://www.sfmoma.org/read/stay-curious-stay-naive-an-interview-with-teenage-engineering-jesper-kouthoofd/

https://scandinavianmind.com/human-touch-interview-jesper-kouthoofd-teenage-engineering/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JVqQwRminA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpnuo7H-Jkw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pcp0au-IBY