Simple is difficult 04. June 2026

Get to know Manuel Jost better. Since February 2026, he has been responsible for product development, design and product management at RIBAG and is a member of the Executive Board.

Please introduce yourself: How did you come to work in the world of product and design?

I completed my basic training as a mechanical design engineer at a weaving machine factory. A defining moment for me was the CAD lessons at the vocational school in Lenzburg. There, I watched a video that showed the entire product development process. It was then that I realised that every object around us had been designed and developed. That was the moment I decided to pursue this path.

I completed the preparatory design course and the vocational baccalaureate in design, and then went on to study product and industrial design at the HGK of the FHNW in Basel.

After three semesters, I took a break from my studies to do an internship at Sennheiser in Zurich. During my studies, I continued to work freelance for the company. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I spent another year working as Global Brandspace Design Manager at Sennheiser and, at the same time, founded FINK Produkt Design with two fellow students.

Over the following six years, I worked independently as a managing director and industrial designer, realising a wide range of projects, from furniture and consumer electronics to medtech solutions for start-ups, SMEs and large corporations.

What was it that first fascinated you about this field?

It’s the combination of complexity and interdisciplinarity. Bringing technology and design together to solve complex problems is what really appeals to me. It’s very much in the spirit of ‘Simple is difficult’. This challenge keeps me on my toes and keeps my curiosity alive.

What is the main focus of your current role?

I am responsible for product development, design and product management. My team’s focus is on identifying future trends in the lighting industry at an early stage and developing products that offer our customers clear added value.

What topics or projects are you currently focusing on most intensively?

At the moment, I am focusing intensively on the future portfolio strategy, colour sampling, the development of new products, and the maintenance and further development of existing solutions. At the same time, we are refining the team structure to make it more efficient.

What personally motivates you about working in the lighting sector?

Lighting fixtures are special objects that shape our everyday lives and contribute significantly to our well being. Light is always an experience and must be made tangible within its context. It has the power to trigger emotions and transform spaces. My motivation is to shape this effect in a targeted way.

Which trends or developments in product design do you currently find particularly exciting?

I am watching with great interest to see how the professional field will change in the coming years. In particular, developments in the field of artificial intelligence will also create new opportunities in product design and engineering and bring about lasting changes to processes.

What are your favourite design classics?

The iPod Classic, and Apple products in general designed under the creative direction of Jonathan Ive, are prime examples of minimalist and functional industrial design. Equally iconic is Malcolm Sayer’s Jaguar E-Type, which is regarded as a milestone in automotive design. In product design, the Braun Hi-Fi Wall Unit stereo system and the Vitsoe 606 shelving system by Dieter Rams continue to shape our understanding of clarity and functionality to this day. The Plastic Chair by Charles and Ray Eames is also one of the most significant designs in modern furniture design.

Recommended Reading: What goes into great lighting design?

Further developing our portfolio and creating memorable lighting experiences requires a keen eye for the bigger picture. Read our companion article to find out how we master the balance between creative vision and technical reality, and what truly defines timeless lighting design.

Click here for the next article.