10 iconic designs by Ross Lovegrove

An esthetic that combines impressive thoughtfulness with new technologies and surprising materials – these are the principles that have guided the work of Welsh industrial designer Ross Lovegrove. His designs have been exhibited in art museums and design centers all around the globe.

Works for Frog Design, Sony, and Apple – Ross has managed to create forms that have captured the hearts of people across the world. The designer has always tried to be of the moment and relevant, and there’s no denying he has successfully managed to do exactly that. Let’s take a closer look at some of his most recognized designs.

1. ‘Cosmic Angel’ ceiling lamp

When creating the ceiling lamp made of aluminum and ABS, Lovegrove wanted to freeze the moment of air rolling over a thin sheet. If you look at the lamp, it seems to be suspended in anti-gravity. With diffused light and modern design, Cosmic Angel will look great in any contemporary home.

2. Formula 1 fragrance

Lovegrove has always looked for ways to use and apply new technologies to design. These perfume bottles were no exception. In fact, before additive 3D printing was introduced, it would have been impossible to manufacture them.

The bottles have an aesthetic of complex geometries. In a way, they resemble something you could see in biology books. True sculptural objects – this is how you can best describe these, like exoskeleton figures.

3. ‘Crop’ Dining chair

The industrial designer has made his fair share of chairs. This particular example was manufactured by Fasem in Italy around 1990 and is known thanks to its elegant design.

The dining armchair features a steel base and adjustable feet. Perhaps the most impressive aspects of the product are the curvature of the shell and the detailed upholstery, which show a high level of craftsmanship. Lovegrove’s creation combines the best of both worlds – a sense of luxury with plenty of comfort.

4. Ergo collection

While many of Lovegrove’s most famous works were made in the 1980s and 90s, some of his most iconic pieces date not too far back. For Natuzzi Italia, the Welsh designer recently created the Ergo collection, which even won the Red Dot Award in 2019. 

The extraordinary collection focuses on the many forms of the bedroom: the stunning chaise lounge, bed, lamp, chandelier, mirror, valet, and even a carpet.

5. Supernatural

Ross Lovegrove is all about multisensory design, and Supernatural for Moroso showcases just that. The 2005 chair has one-piece reinforced polypropylene. In the backrest, you will spot several holes, which create an enticing game of light and shade. Like many of Lovegrove’s designs, this one is versatile too. It will look equally stunning in both home and public spaces.

6. Go Chair

It’s not difficult to see why the Go Chair still remains as impressive, although more than 20 years have passed since its debut. It is the first-ever seat created using magnesium. Thanks to its curvy shape, it creates an illusion of bending over backward. Even today, the creation for Bernhardt Design looks futuristic and, in some ways, “alien”.

7. Moot Chair

The London-based designer was curious and fascinated by aircraft and race-car engineering. He used his knowledge of carbon fiber usage to shape his Moot chair, which seems to defy gravity. The chair’s complex curvature couldn’t be created with any other material.

Impressively, the Moot Chair is hand-finished using sleek high-gloss lacquer.

8. Solar Tree 2.0

One of Lovegrove’s most recent works is an interactive and energy-smart solution for urban lighting. Solar Tree 2.0 is the improved version of the original Solar Tree, which was created for the Museum Angewandte Kunst (MAK) in Vienna.

Thanks to its modularity (the post height and heads are variable), the product offers much more flexibility. What’s great, the Solar Tree can also be integrated with high-tech tools that allow measurements of different parameters.

9. Biophilia Chair

During Milan Design Week 2013, Lovegrove presented a collection for Vongom – a company that is well known for pushing the boundaries between material structure. In this furniture collection, the designer wished to explore a new design language that creates a conversation between time, form, and space.

10.  Twin’Z concept car 

While the creative genius is mostly known for his furniture design, Lovegrove has also had his hand in car design. In 2013, he unveiled his concept car for Renault. 

At the Triennale Design Museum in Milan, Ross presented an electric city car, to which he had provided finishing details, like colorful LED patterns, swirling lines along the tires (developed by manufacturer Michelin), and fluorescent yellow bands.

End notes

“Captain Organic“ – this is how Ross Lovegrove is often nicknamed among design lovers. Considered the pioneer of industrial design, the visionary is known for utilizing the latest technology and making futuristic forms, which all feature his signature style that’s hard to miss. 

From chairs to fragrance bottles and concept cars – the Welshman has launched a new sense of aesthetics, which continues to amaze.