Ingo Maurer

Ingo Maurer was a visionary German lighting designer renowned for his poetic, whimsical, and often provocative approach to light. Born in 1932 in Germany, Maurer began his career as a graphic designer before founding his own company, Design M (later renamed Ingo Maurer GmbH) in 1966. His breakout piece, Bulb (1966)—a light bulb encased in a larger glass bulb—set the tone for a career dedicated to reimagining the boundaries of light, design, and art. Maurer treated lighting as an emotional experience rather than just a functional element, often blending industrial materials with delicate, hand-crafted details. Works like Zettel’z, Lucellino (a light bulb with angel wings), and his installations for public spaces show his ability to merge humor, poetry, and cutting-edge technology. Maurer’s lighting was never just about illumination—it was about storytelling. Until his death in 2019, he remained a cult figure in design, influencing generations with his fearless creativity and commitment to the magical possibilities of light.