Who was Ingo Maurer

Some designers use light to illuminate. Ingo Maurer used it to make us feel.

Born on Reichenau Island in 1932, Maurer grew up surrounded by water and reflection, fitting for someone who would spend his life turning light into poetry. He built his career on curiosity and play, mixing humour with elegance and invention. People began calling him the poet of light, and it made sense. His work had that rare mix of warmth, wit, and imagination.

Maurer first caught attention with the Bulb lamp, a simple idea that made the most ordinary object iconic. Later came Lucellino, a glowing bulb with delicate feathered wings that seemed to hover in the air. Every design carried a trace of his personality: expressive, human, and a little unpredictable.

Our favourite is the Samurai table lamp. It’s strong yet gentle, sculptural but calm — almost like a quiet presence in the room. It reminds us that good design doesn’t need to shout; it just needs to feel right.

Maurer once said that a designer should always stay “a little insecure” when trying something new. That honesty explains why his work still feels so alive.

His lights continue to inspire us, not just as objects, but as reminders to stay curious, to take risks, and to let design keep its soul.