Everything is created from a thought, and it is designers that think the thought that becomes an object. Why are designers important, and who are the best out there?

How has IKEA managed the feat to make furniture that sells to 300 million people around the world? How come certain areas feel safer to walk than others? How come the modern Jet Ski is one of the most efficient sea rescue vehicles in existence?

The answer is the design. IKEA sells design driven products. The safe area was created with thought behind it. The Jet Ski has a unique function. Function is the foundation of all good design.

Consider Dr Guillotines invention of the better executioners axe. One could argue that the efficient function of the guillotine makes it an example of striking design. Notorious, yes, but nevertheless it is the better mouse trap, for the purpose it was intended for, namely to efficiently and quickly cut peoples heads off.

Function is everything

With the view that function dictates everything comes consideration for form, shape, material as a natural consequence. With the view that function is the essence of creation comes the elegance and the durability inherent in all famous products.

Rrstrand, the second oldest porcelain manufacturer in Europe, states this as loud as they can:

- Design is the same as function. Dont let anyone tell you otherwise! Were happy with details that give tableware its character - but only if theyre there for a reason, Rrstrand says boldly.

With that in mind it becomes less and less hard, even if it is still guesswork, to choose what designs will stay with us over the coming decades, and which designers will set the tone for the coming century. What follows is a short list of the most important designers of the age.

Alfredo Hberli

Alfredo Hberli is one of the bigger stars within the global design world. His creations tend to be personal with simple touches, but without falling into the trap of minimalism. Today, he is based in Zurich where manages to unite tradition with innovation, joy and energy. He works with companies such as Iittala, Rrstrand, Alias and Cappellini. His most famous dinnerware line is the colourful Origo-range which he did for Iittala. It is not the largest range in the world, with just a handful of parts, but definitely one of the most striking.

Philippe Starck

Being the clever and prolific enfant terrible of the design world that Philippe Starck is, you would think that he either never stops creating or that he has an abundant ready made objects to fetch on order. After accusations of over designing things in the 90s and 80s, Starck now follows a more restrained urge.

Konstantin Grcic

Grcic has designed furniture and products for companies including Authentics, Cappellini, Flos, Iittala, Lamy, Magis, Moroso and Muji, as well as Krups. At heart he is more of a rationalist with a design language that is quite stern and format, but he has lately experimented more fluid forms.

Matali Crasset

Crasset encourages us to pose questions in everything that she designs. She works across a wide range of disciplines on mass-manufactured furniture and electronic products, experimental projects such as Phytolab for Dornbracht and architectural commissions including HI Hotel in Nice and a capsule house for pigeons.