The Thinking through Design podcast releases Episode 15. In this episode of the Thinking through Design podcast, host Adam Fromme sits down with Reinhart Butter to discuss his career. This episode is Part 1 of an ongoing conversation about Reinhart’s career. 

In this installment, we listen to his account from the age of 20 to 33, this includes his four years at the Ulm School of Design followed by another at the Royal College of Art. During this period, hands-on experimentation and mentorship helped shape his design philosophy. These experiences would later allow Reinhart to embrace constraints as opportunities for creativity and encourage students to engage deeply with the design process and consider the broader implications of their work. The underlying driver of this was his introduction to a systematic approach to design. Along the way, he touches on moments with Max Bill, Bruce Archer, Misha Black and Eliot Noyes.

Reinhart Butter, Professor Emeritus of Industrial Design, is a graduate of the Ulm School of Design and furthered his education at the Royal College of Art in London. After practicing in Germany, he joined Ohio State University, where he shaped the design program with a focus on systematic problem solving and research. Renowned for his pioneering work on ‘Product Semantics,’ Butter’s research attracted major companies like IBM and Mercedes-Benz to collaborate with OSU. A contributor to design publications, including form magazine, he co-authored The Semantic Turn, which was subsequently translated into multiple languages. Although retired in 2007, Butter remains active in international exchange programs, guest lectures, consulting, and design advisory work, earning several international awards throughout his career.

This episode is available on Apple Podcasts or by visiting the Podcast webpage.

About the podcast

It’s obvious that design is all around us, but how designers think through their work is often a mystery. Yet, understanding that process can fuel our own curiosity and creativity. Adam Fromme hosts Thinking through Design as a series of in-depth discussions to reveal the designer’s mindset and realize its value. 

Thinking through Design is brought to you by the Department of Design at The Ohio State University. For general inquires, contact Adam Fromme, fromme.3@osu.edu