Greatest Designer of Mid-Century and Now?  

you've got a point
i must admit; guyinsf; you've got a point.

A similar comparison in design
A similar comparison in design it could be that the very popular and very sold
Karim Rashid and Philip Stark, are much better than Konstantin Grcic and the Bourrellec brothers as them are not so popular as the others.
And Sorry for the comparison.

Well...As for "classic" MCM designers
All the famous designers from Cranbrook Academy in the 40's and 50's... Including Florence Knoll... I also admire greatly Alexander Girard... And a little known designer, Gideon Cramer, designer of the no longer produced Ion chair... Now that was a chair with a LOT of design process...
http://collections.sfmoma.org/OBJ22287.htm

greatest = best
but is 'greatest' the same as 'best', and if not; is commercial success not part of the definition 'greatest'?
I am not saying that the b-brothers are bad designers, on the contrary, but calling them the greatest? Also only big commercial success is not enought to be 'the greatest' (eg robin day), and also; designers who did 99% of furnituredesign; can they be called 'the greatest' (eg eames), then i must admit; starck can be called 'great'; he does lighting, furniture, architecture, household items, transportation,...combined with commercial success (ok some of his designs are bad; but are all the songs of the beatles diamonds?) (but i also go for the rather quiet, subtle way of Krcic; who's not a 'showman' but a normal designer, doing his job and doing it good)

THE GEORGE NELSON OFFICE..............!
george nelson's impact on good design's function and effect cannot be overstated. his portfolio of work ranks him in the univeral top five. his residential designs, be they of common or rich materials, were utilitarian objects of beauty. that when harmonuosly placed. could actualy be good for ones spirit which in turn effected positively ones health.
i swear my nelson furniture is like a vitamin to me, i depend on it daily!