Scandinavian product design-much more than just Scandi Chic, Hygge and Lifestyle Trend

The past few years have been haunting keywords such as Scandi Chic , Nordic Design or Hygge-Lifestyle through fashion and interior design world. The hype about the mixture of minimalism , functionality and cosiness was enormous and Scandinavian design was simply the dominant trend of recent times.

To be honest, Nordic fever grabbed me like countless other people and my living room as well as my balcony have experienced a small general overhaul since then.

After intensive preoccupation with the topic and its history, I was able to discover a facet and long-back traditions in the life and creative philosophy of Scandinavian culture, which encouraged me to this article.

Scandinavian design is so much more than just the accumulation of furniture, carpets, cuddly ceilings and slim lamps in one room. From electronics to fashion, decorative objects and luxury accessories such as watches, architecture to the interior, Nordic design and especially elements of Scandinavian minimalism have found their way into every aspect of our lives.

But what does Scandinavian design actually mean?

Let us immerse yourself in the question: What is Scandinavian design? Together we explore Nordic minimalism , its origins, influences and we get to know remarkable designers and brands from the north of Europe.

Let's get a little and start at the very beginning ...

What is design?

"Successful design is the connection of vision, processes, creativity and technical skill to design a product idea, a service or brand that skillfully attracts consumers' attention."

(Quote from the New Zealand Government's Design Taskforce, translated from English)

Design is a concept that is not so easy to define. However, one can simplify that design is a central component of what we mean by innovation today. Design includes not only the aesthetic aspects of a product, but also its technological totality, performance and character.

The actual act of the creation not only includes the design of an appearance of the product, but also takes into account and integrates a number of inputs in creating the form and function of a product as well as for its manufacture, marketing and communication to consumers.

The term design first emerged in the English language and described a broad and far-reaching process, which spanned the entire production and life cycle of a product: from the idea, to production, to distribution and marketing.

Interestingly, the interpretation of "Design" in most Scandinavian languages ​​was limited to aesthetic (and perhaps ergonomic) aspects of a product: wants to say to its shape. Even though the two approaches have mixed over the decades, the focus on aesthetics in Scandinavian product design has kept itself.

The term design has become an omnipresent buzzword in recent decades. Designer goods are now extremely easily accessible, available everywhere and are sold more and more in the stationary trade, online trade and for a few years for a few years over social media to consumers of all ages and for almost every budget.

There are designer products at spin prices as well as to astronomical sums that only a few of us can put on the table. Over the decades, it has emerged that consumers increasingly assess products according to their design, and less only according to their function or purpose.

The product design of companies and manufacturers was increasingly understood in such a way that companies provide a competitive advantage, a unique image with high recognition value. At the same time, it contributed to the improvement of manufacturing processes and production processes and supported the function in an elegant and skillful way.

In decision -making circles, it was quickly recognized that design was not only optical cosmetics but an essential industrial resource and a driving force for the creation of jobs.

The design quickly became an important part of products, as an expression of aesthetic claim, artistic endeavor and the image of longings and dreams. A rapidly expanding professional design industry was the logical consequence.

Why is design important?

Design has significant advantages for companies, brands and products:

• Increases the value (utility value) of the product for the user
• Increase in the aesthetic, symbolic and visual quality of the product, taking into account the psychological and aesthetic needs of consumers
• Improving the manufacturing capacity of the product by simplifying the structure taking into account the selection of materials, production processes and assembly
• Promote promoting rational standardization, which leads to falling unit costs
• Promotion of less environmental impacts through better inclusion of energy -saving functions, increased durability, aesthetics, timelessness, recyclable parts, etc.
• Increases the marketing potential of a product by taking into account the buyer behavior and a purchase decision is easier
• Helps companies to develop new markets by adapting products to local and/or cultural conditions
• Improves the communication of the company vision and strengthens the brand in perception by consumers
• Enables a higher product differentiation from the competition, e.g. through the visual qualities of the product

The Scandinavian Case-Design Evolution in the Nordic countries

As cut briefly, people in the Scandinavian countries have special access to design, which still shapes products from Norway, Finland, Sweden and Denmark and made the Scandi Style known to the most remote angles of our planet.

The Scandinavian design movement in its current form was probably already created at the beginning of the 20th century and flourished in the northern countries from the 1930s.

Based on the Danish "Selskabet for Decorative Art" , which in 1914 brought out her magazine Skønvirke (literally "Graceful Work"), the title became the name of a newly created Danish art and craft style, which was able to compete with contemporary trends such as Art Nouveau. The latter was initially reserved for the social elite, while Skøn Virke promoted local craft and freely accessible, democratic design for all social classes.

From the 1930s, designers such as Alvar Aalto (Finland), Arne Jacobsen (Denmark), Josef Frank (Sweden) and Maija Isola (Finland) began to produce their work and founded a "golden age of Scandinavian design" .

Her work was inspired by concepts from constructivism , functionalism and in some cases surrealism.

The art movement reached its preliminary climax in connection with international recognition in the 1950s to 1970s when the Lunning Prize was awarded to outstanding Scandinavian designers.

The term "Scandinavian design" presumably first appeared in 1951 as the title "Scandinavian Design for Living" of an exhibition of home accessories and furniture in a district of London.

The exhibition was the first a number of large -format presentations of Nordic designs, Scandinavian decoration and furniture .

"Design in Scandinavia" toured with overwhelming success by Canada and America. At the same time, there were similar joint exhibitions in the fashion metropolises Milan in the 1950s and Paris in 1958 ("Formes Scandinaves"). These did the rest to make "Design Made in Scandinavia" a worldwide sought -after label.

However, the often rigid ideas of style and good taste, coupled with persistent focus on simple functionality, did not remain undisputed. Over the years, the term has been associated with associations that became an unpleasant label for some Northern countries.

Finally, the trend wave then experienced a bitter decline and was even declared dead in the 1980s. In the meantime, designers, brands and product from the Nordic area are experiencing a legendary revival.

Whatever the artistic advantages of the Scandinavian Way of Design may be, the bottom line can no longer be denied that "Scandinavian design" has blossomed outside the Nordic countries into a commercially strong and valuable brand - similar to "Paris Fashion", "Made in Italy" or "Swiss Watches".

It stands for modern design with high quality and a pinch of "coziness" (comfort).

What is typical for Scandinavian design?

I already about the characteristics of the Scandi Styles "Scandinavian design- all about the triumphal march of the Nordic residential and furnishing style" , but let us name the essential characteristics again shortly:

Scandinavian design is essentially characterized by a minimalist, clear approach that wants to combine functionality with beauty. His focus is on simple lines and bright rooms, free of disorder and unnecessary elements.

These principles extend to all areas of the design, from architecture to electronics, are most frequently mentioned in connection with interior design and setting up living rooms. This type of interior includes both furniture and textiles, ceramics and the lighting.

Typically nothing exists; The unnecessary is consistently removed and the design is reduced to the essential elements of each product.

The most frequently used colors are subtle and monochromatic - light, warm white with black and natural tones - striking colors are only used for accents. Definitely pink, gray blue and colors rooted in nature - like sage - are most popular in Scandinavian design.

This clear but warm topic, in combination with the calming nature of a large, light -flooded room without any disorder, is sometimes the reason why Scandinavian design is so popular.

This type of Nordic minimalism enables people to bring peace and comfort to their home. Rooms that are designed according to this interior design philosophy have an inviting effect and are full of vitality without being intrusive.

In view of the pronounced tendency towards utilitarianism, it should not surprise that sustainability is an integral part of modern Scandinavian design today.

The Nordic design principles of craftsmanship, quality and enabling a better everyday life are a natural basic pillar for a form of product development that naturally tries to return to a slow -down, local or regional production of high -quality products that are designed for longevity.

Famous Scandinavian designer

Over the decades, a variety of internationally extremely respected Nordic product creators have emerged, of whom it is worth taking some important personalities briefly:

Kaare Klint (Denmark, 1888-1954)

Kaare Klint is widely known as the father of modern Danish furniture design. As the son of an architect, he dived into the design world early and designed his first piece of furniture at the age of 26. In the course of his productive career, he shaped many other Danish designers such as Børge Mogensen and Jens Risom.

Poul Henningsen (Denmark, 1894–1967)

Poul Henningsen reached international icon status in the 1920s, when the light bulb was considered high technology. Some of his world -famous lights are still produced almost a century later.

Arne Jacobsen (Denmark, 1902–1971)

The architect Arne Jacobsen was one of the most productive designers of the Scandinavian modernism and sold millions of plywood of his ants. It was influenced by Mies van der Rohe and Charles and Ray Eames.

Finn Juhl (Denmark, 1912-1989)

Finn Juhl was awarded, among other things, for the introduction of the Danish design in America. He made his American debut in the MoMA in New York in 1951. The iconic sensual forms of his designs brought him many awards, some postmortal.

Hans Wegner (Denmark, 1914-2007)

Hans Wegner is a master of the Danish modernity of the 20th century. Although he created a lot of iconic pieces, Wegner was particularly known for his chairs and designed more than 500 models in the course of his career, including the famous Peacock Chair.

Børge Mogensen (Denmark, 1914-1972)

Børge Mogensen began his career as a carpenter and teaching assistant at Kaare Klint before he started his own business in 1959. In the course of his career, he won several design prices and was celebrated for his high -quality craftsmanship and the classic influences that inspired his modern designs.

Jens Risom (Denmark, 1916–2016)

Jens Risom emigrated from his home country of Denmark to the USA in 1939. At the age of 23 he attended the commercial school and designed furniture for Kaare Klint. His risom chair was one of the first to produce Knoll and is still manufactured today.

Philip Arctander (Denmark, 1916-1994)

The iconic Clam Chair of the Danish architect Philip Arctander is now one of the most sought-after objects in the auction and antiquity scene and achieves astronomical prices of tens of thousands of dollars.

Niels Otto Møller (Denmark, 1922-1988)

Niels Otto Møller's furniture repertoire may be manageable compared to its more productive colleagues, but that only speaks for his uncompromising approach. It took about five years for every design, which made his collections even more in -mind.

Verner Panton (Denmark, 1926-1998)

Verner Panton (not to be confused with Pantone) did an apprenticeship with Arne Jacobsen and then established himself as an avant-garde designer, which is known for his flowing futuristic forms and the use of plastics in bright colors.

Gertrud Vasegaard (Denmark, 1913-2007)

Known for your tea service, which was included in the Danish cultural canon. A well -known ceramic and designer for Royal Copenhagen.

Nanna Ditzel (Denmark, 1923-2005)

A furniture designer who mainly worked in the areas of furniture construction, jewelry, dishes and textiles. In particular, she designed jewelry designs for Georg Jensen and furniture for Frederica.

Josef Frank (Sweden, 1885-1967)

The architect Josef Frank, born in Austria, became Swedish citizen in the 1930s and is primarily known for his colorful fabric designs for the Swedish company Svenskt Tenn.

Greta Grossman (Sweden, 1906-1999)

Although Greta Magnusson-Grossman has spent the last 50 years of her life in California, she has established herself as a young designer in her home country of Sweden.

She married Scandinavian and California modernist aesthetics and opened a shop at the Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, where she sold Swedish designs to well -known personalities such as Greta Garbo and Frank Sinatra.

Alvar Aalto (Finland, 1898-1976)

Alvar Aalto was a Finnish architect and designer. His creative work stretched through architecture, furniture, textiles and glassware as well as sculpture and painting. Remarkable works are the Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Aalborg, the Stack stool Model 60 and the Aalto Vase.

Tapio Workkala (Finland, 1915-1985)

Tapio Workkala was a Finnish designer and sculptor, as well as an important personality of post -war design. His work ranges from plastic ketchy plates and metal goods to glass, ceramic and plywood in different styles.

His success as a glass designer began in 1946 when he designed the Kantarelli vase for Iittala.

Jac Jacobsen (Norway, 1901-1996)

Jacobsen was originally active in the textile industry before he developed the Luxo-L1 pendant light in 1937. Today the lamp serves as an example of classic lamp design in various exhibitions in museums around the world.

Tias Eckhoff (Norway, 1926-2016)

Trained in the field of ceramic, but ultimately multidisciplinary, Eckhoff was one of the most versatile designers in Norway. His work includes a remarkable cutlery collection.

Scandinavian brands of world rank

Wonderful designers have developed a variety of renowned and popular brands of world rank in the Nordic countries.

Simplicity, functionality and elegance - these are the most common trademark of Danish, Swedish, Norwegian or Finnish brands. Denmark is particularly known for its slim lines and sophistication. In Danish brands you can also find a touch of luxury and a sophisticated glamor.

Denmark is also the only Nordic country that organizes its own fashion Week.

The most popular brands include:

Bang & Olufsen

The well-known Danish manufacturers of consumer electronics, including high-end headphones and speakers, are located in the high price segment. According to the products, B&O attaches great importance to easy usability in addition to the highest quality standards, coupled with exceptional design.

For almost three decades, the design pioneer Jacob Jensen gave shape to the vision of Bang & Olufsen. It became a style -determining connection between the product creator and brand, which should cement the company's reputation as the world's leading provider of sound and design.

Hay

The Danish brand Hay was founded in 2002 and has produced a large selection of modern, functional pieces in the past 15 years. Hay works with a series of established and emerging Nordic designers and studios, which has led to an interesting and versatile product range.

Hay's household goods are playful and yet high quality, with a palette that includes pastel and neutral tones to brass and silver, with all types of textures and patterns in between.

Jakob Wagner is one of the contemporary design creators who have been shaping Danish design significantly for 25 years now.

Among other things, he gained awareness through his collections for large brands such as Bang & Olufsen or Hay.

IF Product Design Award five times . His works, characterized by passion for aesthetics and functionality, made him designer of the year .

Nordgreen

It was not until 2020 that he won the Red Dot Award in Product Design - now in his new function as chief designer of the Scandinavian watch brand Nordgreen .

Here we see 2020 award design . It combines the Nordic attitude to design with the striving for meaningfulness and a good dose of sensual elegance to a harmonious whole.

The Creator turned to the inspiration of nature and carefully designed components for components that melt together in an almost organic way at the end of the process. The subtle signature of the designer remains recognizable and helped the watch brand Nordgreen to be aware of the global awareness.

corporate social responsibility (CSR) Program of the company shows how well the creative work of Jakob Wagner fits with the philosophy of the watch brand and its passion for sustainable action:

What does Nordgreen stand for?

In Nordgreen, respect and responsibility are very important and with all my examination of this brand, this claim does not only look like a lip service. I take it off the company that transparent and responsible action lies in your DNA and runs through all areas of the company.

The following self -commitments in particular have a positive eye:

• CO2 neutrality -emissions from office operation and mail order are compensated for by new plantings of trees
• Environmentally friendly packaging -all packaging is FSC certified and the interior is made from recycled PET bottles
• Giving Back Program - Partnerships with charity organizations around the world
• Sustainable production - production facilities abroad follow Danish standards

Incidentally, the topics of sustainability, social responsibility and ecology are very deeply rooted in Danish corporate values ​​in general.

But after this small excursus to the philosophy and the values ​​of the company, let us come back to the core of the topic, the design. As a watch lover, I could not avoid examining one of these copies up close.

I wanted to take a closer look at it, wanted to feel the shapes in my hand and feel the watch on the wrist. So I chose a model and ordered myself.

I didn't have to browse for long either, because my choice quickly fell on the striking Reddot award winner "Pioneer"-Military Watch with a black dial and mesh bracelet made of stainless steel in a suitable anthracite.

If I were a woman, I would probably choose the “Unika” model in rose gold among the women's watches . Distinctive character, which stands out even under hundreds of watch designs.

It may not be easy to grasp and to explore why my choice had fallen on this model, and then so quickly. However, I suspect that it may appeal to my longing for sensuality, order and aesthetics. The round shapes in a monochromatic, dark color structure without unnecessary frills immediately appealed to me.

Nordgreen Pioneer Black

Nordgreen Pioneer Black

Nordgreen Pioneer Black

Nordgreen Pioneer Black

Nordgreen Pioneer Black

Nordgreen Pioneer Black

Haptically, the sensual element continues very well for me. The watch feels extremely good. The housing is not entirely smooth, but looks very finely sanded and ensures a great touch-n-feeling experience. The arched sapphire glass looks extremely stable and lets me be in good spirits that hopefully unsightly scratches are long in coming.

The housing width and depth is ideal for me, because I have a slope for more striking watches with a mighty housing. That makes the watch a little heavier, but that doesn't bother me. I also like big cogs on the mechanics.

A nice extra are the removable and interchangeable bracelets. I could also imagine a 3-link bracelet made of anthracite-colored stainless steel or a silicone bracelet very well for the future.

All in all a really successful copy of Danish product designs. Incidentally, my first Scandinavian designer product away from furniture and decorative objects and a wonderful new experience that has widened my horizon in this regard.

But there are more Nordic brands with world renomée. So continue in time ...

Boconcept

Boconcept has designed, developed and produced furniture in Denmark since the 1950s and is now represented in over 65 countries around the world. Her focus goes beyond aesthetics and attaches particular importance to craftsmanship and high -quality materials.

Muuto

The name is derived from the Finnish word of Muuto, which means "new perspectives". This is the overarching principle that the Scandinavian brand uses for all its designs.

Normann Copenhagen

The beauty of Normann Copenhagen's products lies in their extraordinary simplicity. When searching your extensive catalog of household goods, it is striking how all your pieces of decorations or superfluous details have been freed.

MENU

When a brand can make something as common like a sweeper and a brush look elegant and aesthetic, you really know what you do. Menu worked with a selected group of designers to create several collections of high -quality everyday accessories. Your goal is to increase your daily experience through good design.

&Tradition

The Danish brand & tradition combines old and new to produce its refined range of Scandinavian household goods. By using classic materials and revising their uses, the brand has conjured up a diverse collection of lamps, carpets, vases and furniture from the hat.

Ferm Living

The brand has produced a huge selection of modern household goods in just a short decade. It mostly takes up traditional Nordic design principles and adds its own unique and contemporary note. Rather ordinary objects such as a simple clothes rack get a very slim redesign.

New works

The love of the fire to sculptural forms and original materials is shared by the world -famous designers and artists with whom the brand works to realize their vision. The designs move delicate between old and new and channeling Scandinavia strong history of craftsmanship and materiality.

Design House Stockholm

The Design House Stockholm household goods collection is diverse and versatile thanks to the numerous designers from all over the world that have contributed to this. Each of the designers adheres to the overarching Scandinavian design principles in their creations, but with their very personal touch.

Woud

In 2014, Mia and Torben Koed Woud founded after they had worked for other furniture brands for 30 years. Woud's household goods offer an uncomplicated look in their design and at the same time offer high functionality.

Leave by

The brothers Mogen and Flemming were two groundbreaking Danish architects of the 20th century. The brand now consistently continues the unique, modernist style of the Scandinavian design of the two brothers. Her flagship product, the Cubus candlestick, was designed by Mogen in 1962.

Stelt tone

Stelton has made an invaluable contribution to making Danish design known outside of Denmark. As you told about the campfire, the fire began in the 1960s with the marketing of a stainless steel sauce, the sales of which skyrocketed both locally and in the USA.

Today Stelton is extremely successful through ever newly created design worlds with an extensive collection of elegant, Nordic kitchen utensils around the globe.

Nordic Product Design Inspiration and Examples from our Pinterest Board

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Sources:

• See "The Future in Design-The Competitivityness and Industrial Dynamics of the Nordic Design Industry", Final Report (2004), ISBN 91-506-1793-1
• Scandinavia Standard: What is Scandinavian Design?
• Mydomaine: Love Scandinavian Design? Thesis are the designers you need to know
• Soft Volumes: Best Scandinavian Design Brands

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and managing director of Kunstplaza. Publicist, editor and passionate blogger in the field of art, design and creativity since 2011. Successful conclusion in web design as part of a university degree (2008). Further development of creativity techniques through courses in free drawing, expression painting and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market through many years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with actors/institutions from art and culture.

www.kunstplaza.de/