Milan , Italy ( CNN ) -- Variously described as a genius and a maverick , for six decades Luigi Colani has created beautiful , pioneering design -- a perfect marriage of form and function . A true visionary , he says he has designed thousands of objects -- everything from cameras , to tea pots and sunglasses . But it is his transport designs that are most famous , bearing his trademark of streamlined forms inspired by nature . `` Nature had hundreds of millions of years to refine their things , we have only stupid 100 years of aerodynamics , '' he says . `` So nature is not better -- there 's only nature . Our laws are stupid ... they are not ready yet . '' Studying aerodynamics at Paris-Sorbonne University in the late 1940s , Colani considered how birds were able to fly and then used those postulations in aircraft design . He did the same when it came to designing ships , this time taking inspiration from the sea creatures he had watched while scuba diving . A man with the foresight to realize that environmental sustainability would play a key role in future product design , in 1971 he turned his efforts to changing the design of trucks , which he felt were not aerodynamic or eco-friendly . `` Twenty-five or 30 years ago I designed streamline trucks that consume less fuel , '' he says . `` The industry , stupid as they are , they did n't get this message ; they consumed gasoline by the billions ... if they had adopted my thing , the air would be better today . `` Look at the trucks -- they are square and push an enormous amount of air in front of them so they are not aerodynamic . `` I started with my knowledge of aerodynamics to design streamlined trucks and I 'm world champion at the moment because my latest model is consuming 50 % less fuel without changing the engine , just through the shape . '' To promote his streamlined design , Colani says he plans to take his trucks on tour around the world next year . But despite environmentally friendly principals much of Colani 's work has remained in the conceptual stages -- an inspiration for other designers rather than a commercial product . Colani believes that engineers and manufacturers these days are too conservative . He says the financial crisis is stopping companies taking chances on innovative designs and argues that with all the new technology and materials available , people need to take creative risks . `` All kinds of transport must be done but better , '' he says . `` We have the knowledge today , we have the technology today , we have the materials today . But we do n't have the brains and the companies who should say yes to good ideas . `` There are too many conservative brains in positions where they should not be conservative . They should go ahead to give the youngsters jobs , ideas and freedom to think . '' Now aged 83 , and retaining his flair for the flamboyant and futuristic , the German designer does n't look like he is planning to slow down anytime soon . `` I sat yesterday night , all night through , and I designed the most sensational supermarket in the world , '' he says . `` It 's nonstop -- sometimes it 's a simple lamp for the desktop , for the table , and sometimes it 's a high-speed train or super car . '' He is a professor at several Chinese universities and , as befits his belief in young people , says he is to begin the world 's first biodesign professorship in Milan next year , giving him the chance to share his knowledge and unique outlook with aspiring designers . But despite the generation gap , Coloni has no fear of being left behind when it comes to the latest trends and technologies . `` I have done everything , but everything changes every five years , '' he says . `` We have new wisdom , new electronics ... ( it 's not that ) I 'm not up-to-date -- I am 20 years ahead , mamma mia ! People need at least 20 years to come up to my level that I have at the moment ! ''
Luigi Colani is a hugely influential industrial designer . Colani was a pioneer of nature-inspired 'biodesign ' 83-year-old designer warns transport industry it must make changes . Describes himself as 20 years ahead of others in the field .