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The story of Design: The Scandinavian Approaches
The story of Design: The Scandinavian Approaches
The story of Design: Good Form and the West German Economic Miracle
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Modernist / International Style / Scandinavia
During WWII and post, architects and designers in Germany, France and Switzerland embraced 'hard-edge' aesthetic...
While in Scaninavia a gentler interpretation of the International Style was being created.
Why?
Turn of the 20th c. the Scandinavians looked towards National Romanticism and folk / craft ideals, similiar to the influences of the Arts & Crafts Movement on Britian post WWII
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| Carl Larsson : 1898 illustration |
Swedish Carl Larsson's turn of the century 'sweet' illustrations showed how a simple life could be full and idyllic happiness. Born of peasant parents, raised by his mother. Moved to Paris 1882 > Impressionists / Post Impressionists (color, incluence of Japanese wood blocks, as Van Gogh was influenced)
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| Carl Larsson: Self Portrait |
Ellen Key, Swedish philosopher, socialist, feminist, pacifist, design theorist, influential intellectuals of the turn of the century publishes in 1900 "Barnets drkundrade" = The Century of the Child. In it she advocates for the liberal yet radical doctrine of ethics through aesthetics: a "religion of beauty".
1899 she wrote other influential essays on "Skonhet for Alla" = "Beauty for All"
An Introduction to Ellen Key's "Beauty in the Home"
She took a human-centric approach, much like her predecessor William Morris, as well as future designera from DeStijl and Bauhaus. She wrote Influential works of the time that was distributed t/o society in Scandinavia -- suggesting that if the public's tasts were improved by an enhanced understanding of aesthetic form, design standards would be raised and social reforms could be impacted.
The power of the press.
"Beautiful home surroundings would be sure to make people happier." ~ Ellen Key
1917 Home Exhibition showed numerous design-reform ventures that were industrial produced. Mass-produced wares had simple, yet aesthetically pleaseing forms that were informed by functional considerations. It also brought attention to Sweden's expanding cities and slum-like conditions.
1919 Gregor Paulsson, director fo Svenska Slojdforeningen publishes pamplhlet "More Beautiful Everyday Objects" showing objects designed for low-wage earners --
Wasn't until 1930 Stockholm Exhibition showcased the work of architects and desingers associated with Funkis = Swedish Functionalist movment.
Swedish architects: Erik Gunnar Asplund & Sven Markelius
Each designer and architect of the movement philosophy was to embrace modernity: its functionalism, its standardization, its industrial production, its social change.
Finland: Aino & Alvar Aalto takes on a holistic and human-centric approach to design. Husband/wife collaborators
She took a human-centric approach, much like her predecessor William Morris, as well as future designera from DeStijl and Bauhaus. She wrote Influential works of the time that was distributed t/o society in Scandinavia -- suggesting that if the public's tasts were improved by an enhanced understanding of aesthetic form, design standards would be raised and social reforms could be impacted.
The power of the press.
"Beautiful home surroundings would be sure to make people happier." ~ Ellen Key
1917 Home Exhibition showed numerous design-reform ventures that were industrial produced. Mass-produced wares had simple, yet aesthetically pleaseing forms that were informed by functional considerations. It also brought attention to Sweden's expanding cities and slum-like conditions.
1919 Gregor Paulsson, director fo Svenska Slojdforeningen publishes pamplhlet "More Beautiful Everyday Objects" showing objects designed for low-wage earners --
Wasn't until 1930 Stockholm Exhibition showcased the work of architects and desingers associated with Funkis = Swedish Functionalist movment.
Swedish architects: Erik Gunnar Asplund & Sven Markelius
Each designer and architect of the movement philosophy was to embrace modernity: its functionalism, its standardization, its industrial production, its social change.
Finland: Aino & Alvar Aalto takes on a holistic and human-centric approach to design. Husband/wife collaborators
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| Model No. 41 armchair Alvar Aalto 1931 -32 |
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| Glass pitcher designed by Aino Aalto, 1932 |
- Embraced the notion that design should be a humanizing force
- Rejected severe geometric vocabulary
- Disapproved of tubular metal and glass-aesthetic as being too cold
- Laminated wooden forms that were bent and softened forms (warmth)
- Fluid forms, abstracted from nature
- Democratic Design rather than prescribed utilitarian forms for low-paid workers
- Offered an influential new vocabulary of organic form more accepting of Modernism than had yet emerged
- Their forms would influence the designs of post war society with kidney shaped coffee tables and blob-like items
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| Savoy vase designed by Alvar Aalto, 1937 |
Nordic Modernism > Danish, Swedish, Finnish & Norwegian
Culminating in the Stockholm Exhibition of 1930 that purported "more purist modernism" as a design for modern society.
Exhibition Hall at Stockholm Exhibition 1930
Influenced not only aesthetic design but city planning and the regulation of buildings and code.
Also inspired socialist movements that resulted in public programs in hospitals and schools, following a modern humanism.
Architectural style "Functionalism" followed that the design of the building should be solely on its purpose.
(Recall: Form follows function)
(Recall: Form follows function)
Danish architects focused on functionality at the expense of aesthetics > buildings produced with straight angles, flat roofs, stucco wall surfaces, Brutalist-style minimalism, and concrete forms.
Functionalist architecture is often linked to ideas of socialism and modern humanism.
Buildings and houses are to be designed around the purpose of functionality, architecture should also be used as a means to physically create a better world and a better life for people in the broadest sense.
Key ideas:
- Well designed, beautifully crafted objects for the home
- General rule towards design aesthetic could possibly change behavior
- Scandinavian belief that everyone had a right to well-designed products that would enchance life
- Socialist concepts: The People's Home - everyday life could be improved by modern design
- Postwar designers even became more 'gentler' in their designs with warm blonde wood, patterned curtains and linens, woven rugs
- Swedish Gregor Paulsson who advocated for standardization admitted: "The choice of goods is a choice of lifestyle."
- 1955 H55 Exhibition in Helsingborg illustrated the reinterpretations of design
- Design ideaology included: organic forms that were more sensual, used warm earth tones, natural materials
- 1940s and 1950s Swedish engineers and desingers developed innovative industrial-design Machine-Age solutions for the Swedish Society of Industrial Design
- 1957 Society of Swedish Industrial Designers (SID) established to promote Swedish design globally.
Sixten Sason, Ralph Lysell, Carl-Arne Breger, Sigvard Bernadotte > designed cars, ower tools, washing machines, typewriters, cameras, etc.
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| Sixten Sasson's Saab 92, 1942 Inspired by the 1930's American streamlining - aerodynamic forms for better functionality |
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| Volvo Amazon, 1956 - 1970 "Democratic Car" affordable for the average man Also introduced a number of safety features including: three-point safety belt for the first time and a padded dashboard |
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| The Volvo Amazon was ahead of Detroit car production in aesthetics, safety and quality = Scandinavin Good Design |
Nordic Funkis: Active designers Edvard Heiberg,
Arne Jacobsen and Alvar Aalto
Arne Jacobsen and Alvar Aalto
Nordic Funkis: Active designer Edvard Heiberg
Arne Jacobsen
below Jacobsen's home in Copenhagen (Klambenborg), 1951
Danish Good Design:
p. 394: Denmark, more than any other nation, is associated with high quality, well-designed products that have timeless appeal.
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| Teak Ice-Bucket by Jens Quistgaard, 1960 |
- Postwar period in search of ideal forms
- 1920 - 1930's Kaare Klint's research "anthropometrics"= systematic collection related to body measurements - similiar to Le Corbusier's modular
- Klint hoped to design idealized furnishing solutions based on actual human measurements
- Skilled wood workers with keen interest in ergonomics
- 1950s Good Design created domestic products were affordable and created for small spaces
- "Design from Denmark" was highly sought after
- WWII Teak timber logged to create roads for military in Philippines, creating a surplus of timber > excellent wood for water-tightness and strength
Kay Bojesen Wooden Monkey 1951
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| Kay Bojesen wooden toys |
Danish designer Arne Jacobsen's chairs explored the potential of molded plywood, instead of teak.
Model No.3107 chair (above) from Jacobsen's Series 7 line of 1955 became one of the best selling chairs of all time.
> Explored the manufacturing potential of idealized sculpted forms.
Model No.3107 chair (above) from Jacobsen's Series 7 line of 1955 became one of the best selling chairs of all time.
> Explored the manufacturing potential of idealized sculpted forms.
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Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair, 1957
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| Arne Jacobsen Flatware |
Postwar Finnish Design:
- Boost national self confidence
- Approach was more expressive than Danish
- Boldly individualistic
- Derived from impressions from nature
- "Milan Miracle 1951 = IX Milan Triennale exhibition Finnish designers won six of the Grand Prix awards
Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva, Antti Nurmesniermi, Maija Isola Unikko
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| Maija Isola Unikko Poppy painted textile design for Marimekko, 1964 |