With more than 100 design awards under its belt -- and 44 of them from BusinessWeek -- IDEO is an Industrial design firm that enjoys high esteem in both artistic and commercial circles. Tom Peters, described as "the father of the postmodern corporation," has cited IDEO in books and lectures for years

Clean, Functional, Hi-tech, Minimal, Pioneering

"Squeeze Sconce," "Meow Chair," "Skateboard," and "Tuffet Stool" are some of the names for furniture and accessories designed by Lisa Krohn's firm Krab Design. These titles conjure the whimsical mood of Krohn's work, but also belie its formalist roots. Krohn studied Industrial Design at Cranbrook

Biomorphic, Elegant, Functional, Hi-tech, Quirky, Technology

There's something intuitively appealing about the designs of Karim Rashid, who has designed coat racks, couches, and practically everything in between. His "Limacon" couch (1997) would feel equally comfortable in the spaceship home of George Jetson or in a stylish living room in Milan. Its boldly asy

Biomorphic, Bright, Clean, Hi-tech, Postmodern furniture, Round

A thoroughly contemporary lounge chair with anthropomorphous qualities, Newson's creation recalls a time when full, soft bodies were all the rage. His steel imitates the torso's contours and curves, which doesn't, however, equal high comfort. In fact, the chair almost demands a sitter with the same b

Biomorphic, Clean, Hi-tech, Late modern, Round