Gillis Lundgren ( 1929–2016 ) was one of IKEA's first employees. He joined the company in 1953 as the fourth employee – initially as a commercial artist. But it soon became clear that he could do more than just design advertisements. He thought in terms of construction, clever solutions, and everyday needs. This quickly made him chief designer – and one of the defining figures of IKEA's identity.

Like no other, Lundgren represents the principle of democratic design . Furniture that is functional, looks good, and remains affordable for as many people as possible. His most famous idea: the flatpack system. Legend has it that he sawed off a table leg so the table could fit in a trunk. This led to the famous IKEA concept: self-assembly furniture.

Many of his designs are still in the range today or have long since become classics:

• BILLY shelf (1979) : The world's most famous shelf. Minimalist, modular, sold millions of times.
• IMPALA armchair : An idiosyncratic lounge chair with clear lines, which is now considered a collector's item.
• KLIPPAN Sofa : Robust, friendly and affordable for generations.

In a world where design often becomes a luxury product, Lundgren's work remains a counter-proposal. It reminds us that good design doesn't have to be expensive, but it does have to be thoughtful. For many vintage fans, he's a fixture today—because his furniture is not only practical but also has character.