Klaus Hermann Thiele

Background

born in 1947
studied industrial design at the Werkkunstschule (school of applied arts), Hochschule für Bildende Künste (school of art and design) and Gesamthochschule Kassel (university)
1974 founded a company for the development and sale of toy designs
1978 formed a company in cooperation with the designer Falk Dorband which primarily developed play objects for the area of therapy but also for kindergartens, schools, day care centres, clinics and public areas.
several stays abroad in Poland and the former USSR as specialist consultant for the first design exhibition of the Federal Republic of Germany.
1975 self-employed with own office in Nuremberg with focal points: development, planning and design of wooden toys, playground equipment, playgrounds, sound and noise objects, play and activity areas, play spaces and play objects for people with a disability, exhibition areas and informal teaching projects
since 1990 development of play objects for the Richter company in cooperation with designer Falk Dorband.

Inspiration

My major field of study was already in the area of children and the environment. The involvement with this subject is a compelling challenge as the play value of play objects is measurable through the activities of the children. Play is of central importance to children’s development. Play objects need to be physically and sensuously stimulating to children so they are able to acquire experiences and, through the stimulus to play, experience pleasure and fun. Also social and cognitive skills develop through play. Play objects should contribute to the unfolding and promotion of these skills. We try to incorporate these principles into our designs. Our own personal pleasure in this area has also been one of the driving forces behind new ideas for over 30 years.