Transnational Discourses in Nordic Design

(Hardback)

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Challenging the tired old stereotypes of Scandinavian design, these essays look at design in Denmark, Norway and Sweden and assess the different roles that Finland and the wider Nordic region had in forming an image of Scandinavian design throughout the world. By looking at the legacy of Nordic design and its global impact, editors Rachel Gotlieb and Astrid Skjerven shed light on the development of national and regional design identities and their historical associations. Authors explore the transnational circulation of ideas throughout the later 20th century and examine the influences on design practices, production and consumerism. They look at how different countries negotiated and promoted Nordic branding and ideology, and offer new perspectives on design in relation to sustainability, changing economies and indigenous traditions. A range of leading international scholars look at the popularity of Nordic style in Soviet material culture, the influence on jewellery design in post-war Britain, Japanese interpretations of furniture and the shared philosophies of Japan and Finland. They investigate the particularly extensive use of natural materials and associations with sustainability in the USA, Canada and Europe. Drawing from a wealth of archival material and interviews with designers, makers and other stakeholders, this book reveals a lesser-known history of cross-cultural collaborations, exhibition production and tensions between mainstream and indigenous design in Scandinavia. Transnational Discourses in Nordic Design also provides an insight into some of the authors own design practices and reveals the challenges facing Nordic designers today.

Author Bio

Rachel Gotlieb teaches design histories and material culture to students enrolled in craft, industrial and interior design programs as part of the Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design at Sheridan College, Canada. Astrid Skjerven is Professor of Design Theory in the Department of Product Design at Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway.