Martin Ballendat

Recognized worldwide for his elegantly simple and timeless styles, Martin Ballendat has been an influential force in interior/industrial design for more than 20 years.

Born in Bochum, Germany in 1958, Ballendat received his Industrial Design degree from the Folkwang University Essen in 1983, and within several years was heading the Department of Design/Product Development for a major Austrian furniture manufacturer.

Since the 1995 launch of his own firm, Design Ballendat, Martin has produced a large portfolio of important pieces. Dozens have earned top honors in international design competition, including the 1999 "Best of Neocon" in Chicago; the 2002 "Focus in Gold" LGA Stuttgart; and Cologne's recent "Best of the Best" Interior Award.

Like the essence of his work, Ballendat's approach to design is expressed in clear, uncomplicated form. "Good design must be simple - very simple," he says. "But simplicity can only be achieved through an intelligent and creative balance of technical, practical and artistic factors."

Ballendat often shares this philosophy as guest professor at the Graz and the Salzburg Polytechnic schools. Young students eager to create beautiful objects soon learn that design is ruled by more than aesthetics. Mechanical engineering, electronics, ergonomics, economics, ecology, production, marketing, and more - each is part of the interdisciplinary play of bringing a design concept to life. Ballendat's lectures stress the importance of staying involved in every step. "You need to be close to the entire process - from your first drawing all the way to the first prototype," Ballendat tells students. "Good design only gets created when your ideas are fully realized."