I love both of their stuff, in terms of aesthetics, but I know that the beyond-beautiful orange juicer that Starck did seemed to have not been all that functional, which turns it into sculpture, which is nice, but it's not really design.

Off the top of my head, I don't think I've seen any Rashid stuff that seemed to be quite as infamous for their failure of function.

Actually it is the "better" of the two, the "best" of three of more.

Sorry, pet peeve.

Starck, definitely.

As we say in my country (which is also Starck's, incidentally), it's a choice between plague and cholera.

I'm scared by Karim Rashid ever since I read in one of his books his advice that you should line up your socks and underwear in rows in the drawer and only buy them in one colour ever to avoid disorganisation! Eeeek!

It depends on the product. If I were to preview products from both and didn't know who designed them I don't think I'd know who designed what.

I like to know what makes creative people tick but when it comes to the end-user experience it's all about the product, its materials, its craftsmanship, its design, not the persona behind the design.

To make a long story short I would have to click both because they are both the best when it comes to different things.

Stark, and only for that gun lamp. Otherwise, ick towards the both of 'em.

Lunchtime survey closed already? It's still breakfast time here on the other coast...

My vote: Marc Newsom.

Art, your comment surprises me - both these designers rely on a variety of signature touches that makes many of their products instantly identifiable, and their uses of color are VERY different.

One of Phillipe Starck's particular hallmarks that I find amusing is his use of a stylized "flame" element. There is a large version of this, covered in gold leaf, in a building (the Asahi Beer Hall) in Tokyo. It is called the "golden turd" by local residents. Google it and you'll see what they mean!

About 2 years ago when Starck was in Boston working on the D4 Condos in the South End, I asked him, whom does he admire? I expected him to name a famous artist; instead he said he admired scientists, because nobody contributed more to mankind than scientists. A very original answer I thought.

Later I asked him how old he was? 'Some mean people say that I am 56, but never trust them. They are jealous because I look like I am 16, which is the real age of my brain' he replied.

I agree with you here eeeck. I was thinking on a smaller level, more specifically houseware type objects that may not strike me right away as having been designed by one or the other.

I wonder if these guys are seen by the design world like Emeril and Bobby Flay are seen by the cooking world?

Neither of them hold a flame to Marc Newson. He is a genius. I do appreciate much of what philippe Starck does. However, Karim Rashid is the most over rated designer living. Horrible design, and his designs are so contrived. I have never been attracted to one single design of his. I think you can tell when he designs something, he only uses a few different forms and motifs. His arrogance is enough to turn anyone off to him. He has so much bravado that people think he matters. I do not understand why people are afraid to criticize him, it is obvious his designs are bad. Does he have something on all magazine editors or something?

I would also agree about Newson. It would be interesting to see a poll between Starck and Newson

Starck hands down. Rashid completely cheeses me out. I agree with the person who said his stuff is contrived. I particularly hate that giant pink grotesque scrotum-looking two-person chair they have of his at Conran's.

Oh, and ps to Curtis ... I use my Juicy Salif all the time, so I don't know what you mean by non-functional... it functions for me quite fine... AND is a great design.