Ettore Sottsass was one of the biggest influences for me both visually and graphically. The out of the box designs, the stark colors and the strong shapes have left an indelible mark on the design and art world. His career as an architect began in Torino in the late 1930′s. He then served in the Italian military during World War II and was held in a concentration camp in Yugoslavia. After the war, he returned to Italy and set up his own architectural design studio in Milan in 1947. Later he designed key products for Olivetti electronics.

At age 64, Ettore then formed the Memphis Group along with an international group of architects and designers. A night of drinking and listening to Bob Dylan’s “Stuck inside of Mobile with Memphis Blues again” gave the group it’s name. Launching 40 initial pieces of furniture, ceramics, glass and textiles with fluorescent colors and slick surfaces.

Sadly Ettore he will be missed but not forgotten, having recently passed away in December 2007.