Ettore Sottsass

Enorme Telephone (1985–1986)

A true icon of postmodern design, the Enorme telephone was conceived in 1985–1986 by legendary Italian architect and designer Ettore Sottsass in collaboration with David Kelley (founder of IDEO) and investor Jean Pigozzi. Born from Sottsass’s visionary approach to everyday objects, Enorme transforms the humble landline into a sculptural statement, merging bold color, playful geometry, and functional engineering. 

Produced in a limited run in the mid-1980s, Enorme stands out with its distinctive polychrome palette, rectangular silhouette, and joyful design language—hallmarks of the Memphis Group’s radical break from minimalism and strict functionalism. Today, it’s held in the permanent collections of institutions like MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the RISD Museum, and remains one of Sottsass’s most beloved and collectible design objects.