The only one that has ever made an impact on me was Why Man Creates by Saul Bass.

I saw this numerous times in school, and it has stayed with me ever since.

"Allah be praised, I've just invented the zero."
"What?"
"Nothing."

"Wadda ya doin?"
"I'm a painting da ceiling."
"I'm a painting da floor."

Here is a taste

>For an example I really enjoyed

If you deconstruct the movie “The Fifth Element” you learn more about design than any of the films you mention.

Ah "The Fifth Element". I have to agree with Si on that one.

"Multipass"

There were two that stuck with me, well sorta. I remember a film about C and R Eames and a film which I believe was called, "Design Wars". It documented the design proposals for the Chicago Library. To help facilitate the vetting process, all entrants had to commit to a prototype/mock up/model that would cost no less than one million dollars. http://www.movierevie.ws/movies/1654447/Design-Wars.html

"This Is Spinal Tap", specifically the part where they hire a designer to create a "Stonehenge" stage prop.

(Wish I had a more serious recommendation, but I'm drawing a blank.)

hold on a second, you mean The Fifth Element starring Bruce Willis? I think I have that on tape haha

I liked the film about Max Bill very much.

The 1958 documentary "American Look" is worth watching. It's propaganda for General Motors, sure, but as a historical artifact of design culture, it's fascinating. You can watch the whole thing on YouTube (about 30 minutes).

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_br4n4eCWME
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VFDH5FOG90
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6h7CbwugifY

Milton Glaser: To Inform & Delight

love this one!

"Why Man Creates" looks epic. I gotta track that down.

> what is the best design films / documentaries that you've ever seen in your life?

none. this is the nonsense category.

If you're in a retro mood, the films of Charles and Ray Eames are fun.

"The Power of Ten"

ChrisL