Braun is a leading brand in design. Many of its products have achieved iconic status and are easily recognizable even by those who aren't very knowledgeable about these matters. But the best part is that for those of us who are interested in design, they are still available. In other words, the company continues to offer current versions that maintain the aesthetic and philosophy that made them stand out more than 50 years ago.
Braun and its relationship with design
The story of Braun is truly interesting for anyone who finds design appealing. Founded in 1921 by Max Braun , this German company quickly attracted attention and achieved success shortly after its creation, but it wasn't until 1050 that it truly began to take off.
Around that time, its founder passed away, and his sons, Artur and Erwin, took over the company, propelling it forward with a series of innovative ideas and a unique philosophy for its products. Of course, it wasn't solely their work; a number of brilliant professionals joined their ranks, and from them emerged the devices we all know and recognize today.
Among them, Gerd Alfred Müller, who was responsible for kitchen products, and Dieter Rams stood out . The latter, head of design between 1961 and 1995 , is someone you've surely heard of, or at least something about, if you're interested in technology. Because it's fair to say that Rams was the father of some of the best radio designs and a clear influence on Jonathan Ive, who would later create Apple's iPod.
Furthermore, if you're interested in design and haven't seen it yet, Rams is a documentary about the work of the popular designer and his approach to design. These ideas, along with Braun's philosophy, summarized in the ten principles you can read below, are responsible for bringing the brand to its current level of design excellence.
Ten Braun Design Principles
- Reduction: Visual elements are kept to a minimum. This emphasizes the usability and functionality of the product.
- Pure and fluid geometry: The autonomous products are based on clear and architectural forms. Wearable products are characterized by fluid geometry, created by connecting basic geometric shapes with smooth transitions.
- Symmetry and direction: Braun products capture the human sense of beauty. They are symmetrical, but indicate a direction that explains the use of the product.
- Order and balance: Design elements are arranged within a geometric grid and with a clear functional hierarchy, resulting in visual clarity and a harmonious appearance.
- Interface elements: All interface elements are designed as a circle or an elongated circle. Its appearance can vary in proportion, color and material, according to its function.
- Distinctive shapes: The overall appearance is based on architectural or ergonomic shapes and gives each product a distinctive silhouette.
- iconic details: Unique details give each product an unmistakable presence on the market and at the same time identify it as a differentiated Braun product.
- Geometric parting lines: The parting lines delimit the areas of operation of the product and create a visual structure. They are characterized by a geometric and controlled alignment.
- Colors and materials: The main colors of the products are black, white, gray and metallic. Accents of color are only used in details to highlight product function or operating controls.
- Clear product graphics
Product graphics are functional, minimalist and consistent across all Braun products and categories.
Classic Braun designs you can still buy
That a design created between the 50s and the late 90s is still alive and fresh today is something that not all industrial designers can say. It is very complex to create something that will always be valid, but Rams' idea was always looking for that: "less, but with better execution."
Thanks to his way of seeing design, which he always defended that it should be practical, honest, sober, respectful, meticulous, quality and timeless, is how he managed to create products that today remain as the original. Maybe some slight modifications, but keeping the same essence.
If you're looking for functional, easy-to-understand products and the brand's signature design, here are some of the appliances and other gadgets the brand currently sells. Some continue to maintain the same aesthetic of their original, while others collect part of the heritage.
Braun LE
These new speakers are simply the return of the popular Braun LE series that was launched around 1959. This time, they've been adapted to current technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and integration with Google Assistant and the corresponding mobile apps.
Of these new Braun LE there will be three models. The Braun LE01, the largest model that will cost $1199, the Braun LE02, $799, and the Braun LE03, the smallest model of all, which will cost $379. All will be available in two colors (black and white).
Braun analog watch
A watch isn't very mysterious, is it? Basically, it's a face where a series of markings, along with the hands, tell you the time. Well, even so, the Braun analog watch has something that sets it apart from many others on the market.
The watch offers very simple and clean lines of design, with a total absence of numbers on the dial and a combination of black or white color and silver colored chassis. Being an analog watch, the only interaction is through a crown that allows you to adjust the hour and minute hands.
See offer on Amazonbraun calculator
If you have been an iPhone user since those first models, when skeumorphism reigned over its interface, you will remember its calculator application. Well, it was a clear nod to this Braun model. A basic calculator with capacity for eight-digit operations.
Everything you can do with this calculator is something any much simpler model can do and even surpass, but it's not about features, it's about experience. And in terms of design, it's undoubtedly one of the brand's most iconic products. The original was designed in 1977.
See offer on AmazonRadio Braun
Radio's product division was one of the most renowned during the years that Dieter Rams was in charge as chief designer. As we said, it was not only epochal, it also served to inspire future designers like Ive and his work with the Apple iPod.
Currently, this Radio Braun gathers this essence, with a screen where we can see more information, but with the same characteristic simplicity of the brand.
See offer on AmazonBrown BN0106
Of course, if there is a recent device that to some extent represents everything that Braun stands for in design, it would possibly be this watch. The Braun BN0106 is made of stainless steel and those square lines plus the detail of the crown located to the left of the front make it very particular.
See offer on Amazonbraun blender
With several recent awards behind it, this Multiquick maintains the essence of the brand. With a body finished in silver aluminum and a simplicity that makes anyone understand perfectly how it works the first time.
See offer on AmazonBraun coffee grinder
With the same touch as the Miniquick, this Braun coffee grinder is another demonstration of how a simple and clean design is not only functional and easy to understand, but also very attractive. For lovers of freshly ground coffee this would be an ideal gift.
See offer on AmazonBraun juicer
With a clean and very pleasant aesthetic, the Braun juicer is one of its most recognizable kitchen products. It is practical and really simple, with very well thought out details, like that anti-drip system for when you stop squeezing. Although I admit that it is also very satisfying to squeeze all the oranges and then open to see how all the juice falls into the glass.
See offer on AmazonThese that you have been able to see here are some of the Braun products that you can continue buying today. All maintain the essence of the brand's design, in some cases those of the same original launched more than 50 years ago. A piece of the history of industrial design that you can continue to access.