Raymond Loewy Quotes

Powerful Raymond Loewy for Daily Growth

About Raymond Loewy

Raymond Loewy (March 5, 1893 – July 14, 1986) was an influential American industrial designer, widely regarded as the "Father of Modern Industrial Design." Born in Paris, France, to Jewish parents, he immigrated with his family to the United States at the age of two. Raised in New York City, Loewy's early influences included visiting exhibitions at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, where he saw the modernistic German pavilion. Loewy's career began in the advertising industry, working for J. Walter Thompson in the 1920s. However, his passion for design led him to establish his own firm, Raymond Loewy Associates, in 1947. This company would go on to create some of the most iconic designs of the mid-20th century. Loewy's design philosophy was centered around the idea of "Maya," a word he coined which stands for "Most Advanced Yet Acceptable." He believed that products should be both innovative and accessible to the masses, a concept that revolutionized the field of industrial design. Some of his most famous works include the S1 Streamlined Locomotive (1936), the Greyhound Scenicruiser bus (1939), and Studebaker's Avanti automobile (1962). He also redesigned the Lucky Strike package, making it one of the most recognizable cigarette packages in the world. Loewy was a prolific author, publishing several books on design, including "Never Leave Well Enough Alone" (1951) and "Designing for People" (1960). His impact on American design is immeasurable, and his principles continue to influence designers today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The details are not the details. They make the product."

Raymond Loewy's quote emphasizes the significance of paying attention to minute, seemingly insignificant aspects in the design or creation of a product, as these "details" ultimately contribute to the overall quality, appeal, and success of the product. A well-designed product, no matter its function, should provide a seamless user experience by considering every detail. In other words, the sum of all small details forms the essence of what makes a product exceptional.


"Design is a democratic process; it's not just about the designer, it's about the user and how they interact with the design."

The quote emphasizes that design should prioritize both the designer and the user. Designing is not an isolated activity, but rather a collaborative process that considers how users will engage with the created product or solution. This perspective promotes inclusivity and user-centricity, ensuring that designs are functional, intuitive, and accessible to a diverse range of people.


"It takes more time to do it right than to do it over."

This quote highlights the importance of doing things correctly the first time, as fixing mistakes afterwards can be time-consuming and inefficient. It emphasizes the value of quality, attention to detail, and thoroughness in one's work to avoid having to redo tasks due to errors or inadequacies, ultimately saving both effort and resources.


"Good design adds value faster than it adds cost."

This quote emphasizes the importance and ROI (Return on Investment) of good design in any field, be it product development, branding, or user interface design. By investing in quality design, businesses can quickly reap the benefits by increasing the value of their offerings, making them more attractive to customers, and thus achieving greater profitability. Conversely, poor design can lead to higher costs due to customer dissatisfaction, low sales, and negative brand perception. Overall, good design is a smart investment that enhances a product's or service's worth and should be prioritized over cost savings in the long run.


"If you do everything well, some lucky day something is going to catch on."

The quote implies that through consistently delivering quality in all aspects of one's work, there is a chance, though unpredictable, for success or popularity to occur. It suggests that perseverance, diligence, and attention to detail will increase the odds of discovering an innovative idea or solution that resonates with others.


In every phase of the automotive industry, certain factors have been more important than all others in relation to the way the automobile has looked. Phase One is really the Ford story. Function and production were the most important considerations. The automobile was an invention, and it looked like one.

- Raymond Loewy

Been, Production, Industry, Ford

The Coke bottle is a masterpiece of scientific, functional planning. In simpler terms, I would describe the bottle as well thought out, logical, sparing of material and pleasant to look at.

- Raymond Loewy

Thought, Functional, Sparing

I've been accused of being a shell designer - you start with a machine and enclose it. But in many cases, the shell is essential. A locomotive without a shell would be nonfunctional.

- Raymond Loewy

Been, Accused, Cases, Essential

Noise is a parasite. Anything noisy is poorly designed.

- Raymond Loewy

Noise, Poorly, Noisy, Parasite

American products are marvels of production and functionality, but were unnecessarily and unbearably ugly, noisy smelly and offensive.

- Raymond Loewy

Ugly, Offensive, Smelly, Noisy

The public may admire a corporation for its impressive size. Who in the United States doesn't? But when a business, however gigantic, gets smug enough to believe that it is sufficient only to match competition on trivial points instead of leading competition in valid matters, that business is becoming vulnerable to public disfavor.

- Raymond Loewy

United, Becoming, However, Smug

The world is filled with archaic objects - mailboxes which look like alarm boxes, banks which look like places to break out of rather than places to enter.

- Raymond Loewy

Like, Boxes, Which, Alarm

Good design keeps the user happy, the manufacturer in the black and the aesthete unoffended.

- Raymond Loewy

Happy, Black, Design, Manufacturer

My early colleagues and myself helped create the life styles of Americans and, by osmosis, of the rest of the world. I found it difficult to reconcile success with humility. I tried it first, but it meant avoiding the very essence of my career - total exhilaration and the ecstasy of creativity.

- Raymond Loewy

Humility, Career, Very, Reconcile

I alienated the automotive industry by saying that cars should be lightweight and compact.

- Raymond Loewy

Should, Compact, Alienated, Lightweight

The American automobile has changed the habits of every member of modern society.

- Raymond Loewy

Society, Habits, Automobile, Changed

Between two products equal in price, function and quality, the better looking will outsell the other.

- Raymond Loewy

Will, Other, Better Looking, Between

The automobile is an American cultural symbol.

- Raymond Loewy

American, Cultural, Symbol, Automobile

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