Ingo Maurer (b. 1932, Reichenau, Germany - d. 2019, Munich, Germany) was a pioneering German industrial designer and lighting artist, known for transforming light into an expressive and poetic medium. Born on May 12, 1932, on the island of Reichenau, he studied graphic design in Munich before moving to the United States, where he worked in New York and San Francisco as a designer. This period exposed him to international design trends and shaped his experimental approach to lighting.

In 1966, he returned to Germany and founded Design M (later Ingo Maurer GmbH) in Munich. That same year, he created Bulb, an iconic design that encased a simple light bulb in a blown glass shell, elevating an everyday object into an artistic statement. This piece set the tone for his career, in which he continuously reimagined lighting beyond its functional purpose.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Maurer pushed the boundaries of lighting design, incorporating unconventional materials and interactive elements. His YaYaHo system (1984), a low-voltage halogen setup with adjustable light elements on tensioned wires, introduced a new level of flexibility and engagement with space. His ability to blend technical precision with artistic imagination established him as one of the most innovative figures in contemporary design.

By the 1990s, his work took on an even more experimental and provocative dimension. Porca Miseria! (1994), a chandelier resembling an explosion of shattered porcelain plates, became one of his most recognizable pieces, embodying his signature mix of humor, irony, and technical mastery. His designs were exhibited in major museums, including MoMA in New York and the Vitra Design Museum, cementing his international reputation. Around this time, he also explored delicate paper lighting inspired by Japanese aesthetics with the MaMo Nouchies series and embraced LED technology with works like EL.E.DEE (2001), proving his constant evolution with new materials.

Even in the final years of his career, Maurer remained at the forefront of innovation, experimenting with OLEDs and interactive lighting concepts. His collaborations with architects and artists expanded his influence, ensuring that his vision extended beyond his own creations. Until his passing in 2019, he continued to challenge the conventional notions of light, leaving behind a legacy that redefined illumination as an art form. Today, Ingo Maurer GmbH carries forward his pioneering spirit, inspiring new generations of designers to see light not just as a necessity, but as an emotional and artistic experience.