The designer Luigi Colani (born Lutz Colani on 2 August 1928 in Berlin; died 16 September 2019 in Karlsruhe) is best known for his aerodynamic, biomorphic designs for ships, motorbikes, aeroplanes, spectacles and cameras. Ergonomics is the primary objective of his designs. With the introduction of thermoplastics into mass production in the 1970s, Colani was able to translate his ideas into tangible products. He made a name for himself in the sanitary ware sector with one of the first sanitary ware collections (1971) for Villeroy & Boch. This work is regarded as the first holistic approach to integrating modern and ergonomic design into the bathroom. The collection enjoyed great popularity, particularly amongst plumbers.

Colani died in 2019 at the age of 91 following a serious illness. He was buried on 5 October 2019 in a ‘perpetual grave’, a crypt (Crypt Hall 63/64) in the courtyard of honour at the main entrance to the Main Cemetery in Karlsruhe. The coffin had been designed by Colani himself.