Biography

Visionary and prolific, Karim Rashid is one of the most unique voices in design today. With more than 4000 designs in production, nearly 300 awards to his name, and client work in over 40 countries, Karim's ability to transcend typology continues to make him a force among designers of his generation.

Eschewing style in favor of designing in the modus of our time, Karim's designs include luxury goods for Christofle, Alessi, and Veuve Clicquot; democratic products for Umbra, bobble, and 3M; timeless furniture for Bonaldo, Tonelli, BoConcept, and Vondom; exquisite lighting for Artemide and Fontana Arte; high-tech products for Asus and SirinLabs; surface design for Marburg and Abet Laminati; iconic graphics for Citibank and Sony Ericsson; and award-winning packaging for Method, Paris Baguette, Kenzo, and Eos.

Karim's influence expands beyond product to interiors, including restaurants like Amoje Food Capital in South Korea; hospitality design for nhow Hotel Berlin and budget hotels for Prizeotels in Bremen, Hamberg, and Hannover; public environments like Universita Metro Station in Naples; and retail design for Fun Factory in Berlin and Munich. Additionally, he has collaborated on innumerable concept exhibitions for clients such as Corian, Deutsche Bank, PepsiCo, and Audi. In 2017 Karim launched KURV Architecture D.P.C. with partner Alex Hughes AIA, bringing a unique multidisciplinary approach to architecture, investment, and development.

Numerous awards and accolades attest to Karim's contribution to the world of design. He is a perennial winner of the Red Dot award, Chicago Athenaeum Good Design award, Pentawards, and IDSA Industrial Design Excellence award. He holds Honorary Doctorates from Carlton University, Pratt Institute, OCAD in Toronto, British Institute of Interior Design, and Corcoran College of Art & Design

Contemporary artwork created by Karim ranges from digital prints to public art/ installation and sculpture. His works are featured in 20 permanent collections in various art institutions worldwide, including Brooklyn Museum of Art, MoMA, and The Center Pompidou. He has exhibited across the globe and is a frequent contributor to the Venice Biennale. He is represented by Sandra Gering Gallery in New York City.

A cultural shaper, Karim is a frequent guest lecturer at universities and conferences globally, aspiring to change the world by making design a public subject. He is also regularly featured in print and digital platforms by media companies like CNN, Vogue, Elle, GQ, The New York Times, and countless more. This reach allows Karim to fulfill his ambition of disseminating the importance of design in everyday life.

Karim's latest monograph, XX (Design Media Publishing, 2015), features 400 pages of work selected from the last 20 years. Other monographs include From The Beginning, an oral history of Karim's life and inspiration (Forma, 2014); Sketch, featuring 300 hand drawings (Frame Publishing, 2011); KarimSpace, featuring 36 of Karim's interior designs (Rizzoli, 2009); Design Your Self, Karim's guide to living (Harper Collins, 2006); Digipop, a digital exploration of computer graphics (Taschen, 2005); Compact Design Portfolio (Chronicle Books 2004); and classic titles Evolution (Universe, 2004) and I Want to Change the World (Rizzoli, 2001).

In his spare time Karim's pluralistic practice flirts with art, fashion, and music and is determined to creatively touch every aspect of our physical and virtual landscape.
- IMDb mini biography by: Karim Rashid