Dieter Rams talks about being bum-rushed at a party by Philippe Starck, who exclaimed, “Apple is stealing from you!” But when it comes to Ive and Apple, Rams subscribes to the adage “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”
via Our Interview With Dieter Rams, The Greatest Designer Alive [Video] | Co.Design: business + innovation + design.
 
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And another interesting interview with Dieter Rams at Fastcodesign.com:
If you were to design a computer now, what would it look like?

It would look like one of Apple’s products. In many magazines, or on the Internet, people compare Apple products to things which I designed, with this or that transistor radio from 1965 or 1955. In terms of aesthetics, I think their designs are brilliant. I don’t consider it an imitation. I take it as a compliment.