Top Designers Reveal Why They Love Scandinavian Design
7 designers who presented at the Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair share what it's like working for a Nordic brand
With a design expression and style confidence that is envied as well as copied, Scandinavian design is big all around the world. But what is it like to work as an international designer for a Nordic company? We spoke to seven designers from four different countries about unexpected Latin tendencies among Swedes, an unbeatable sense of craft and where in Stockholm they go for a “fika” and shopping.
“I had no preconceptions about how it would be to work with a Nordic company. For me, the starting point for a collaboration is always the same. I want to meet the people and the company, in order to understand their vision and philosophy. This is always the first point of contact, and is vital when it comes to deciding whether to collaborate or not. “
“The most important thing for the designer in a collaboration is to absorb the company’s DNA, but still put their own stamp on the project. That is the best way to launch successful products.”
“I go to Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair to discover Nordic companies that you do not see at other trade fairs. The atmosphere is also much more open and relaxed than at other international fairs. And when in town, I like to visit perfumer Byredo’s flagship store on Mäster Samuelsgatan.”
“The most important thing for the designer in a collaboration is to absorb the company’s DNA, but still put their own stamp on the project. That is the best way to launch successful products.”
“I go to Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair to discover Nordic companies that you do not see at other trade fairs. The atmosphere is also much more open and relaxed than at other international fairs. And when in town, I like to visit perfumer Byredo’s flagship store on Mäster Samuelsgatan.”
Designer: JEAN-MARIE MASSAUD, France
Manufacturer: OFFECCT, WÄSTBERG, KASTHALL, Sweden
“I have been at the Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair several times, most recently in 2013 when Offecct created a joint exhibition for our projects. The places that I got to explore in Stockholm, I must thank my friends at Claesson Koivisto Rune for, who has showed me around!”
“My best collaborations always start when I meet smart people. I have met many representatives and leaders from Nordic companies and had the opportunity to brainstorm ideas, discuss how to create better products with less resources, and shared ideas on how to demonstrate that design is a discipline that can not be reduced to aesthetic or trendy products.”
“To be honest, I was surprised to find that there is a kind of a Mediterranean soul in our Swedish friends. And by that I mean, that they have sun in their hearts. Although they live further north than our German colleagues!”
Manufacturer: OFFECCT, WÄSTBERG, KASTHALL, Sweden
“I have been at the Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair several times, most recently in 2013 when Offecct created a joint exhibition for our projects. The places that I got to explore in Stockholm, I must thank my friends at Claesson Koivisto Rune for, who has showed me around!”
“My best collaborations always start when I meet smart people. I have met many representatives and leaders from Nordic companies and had the opportunity to brainstorm ideas, discuss how to create better products with less resources, and shared ideas on how to demonstrate that design is a discipline that can not be reduced to aesthetic or trendy products.”
“To be honest, I was surprised to find that there is a kind of a Mediterranean soul in our Swedish friends. And by that I mean, that they have sun in their hearts. Although they live further north than our German colleagues!”
“We have mostly worked for Swedish companies and created everything from the carpet Karl for Kasthall in 2009, to the lamp W083T for Wästberg. We have done several projects for Offecct, including the seating series Island, along with sound-absorbing screens and tables. Airberg from 2014 is an original sofa that breaks the conventions and also the first product by the initiative Offecct Lab that focuses on new thinking.”
“When you start a collaboration, the other party already has an idea of how the furniture collection will be developed and marketed. The meetings that follow are about sharing our values and map out a progressive way forward. I have no interest in creating another chair or another couch if I can not use the result of my creative development, to be honest. I prefer to start with an overall scenario, the total experience of a project. Design that is smart and stylish. Timeless and weightless.“
Designer: STONE DESIGNS, Spain
Manufacturer: SKANDIFORM, BLÅ STATION, Sweden
“There might be a stereotype about Nordic companies and their employees being a bit strict and serious, but we have never thought so about them. We (Eva Prego and Cutu Mazuelos) have always found Scandinavians warm and friendly, and can easily identify with the cultural values and environmental interest. Cutu used to live in cold climates for a few years and it feels as if that brought him closer to the Nordic countries.”
Manufacturer: SKANDIFORM, BLÅ STATION, Sweden
“There might be a stereotype about Nordic companies and their employees being a bit strict and serious, but we have never thought so about them. We (Eva Prego and Cutu Mazuelos) have always found Scandinavians warm and friendly, and can easily identify with the cultural values and environmental interest. Cutu used to live in cold climates for a few years and it feels as if that brought him closer to the Nordic countries.”
“We made the chair Petals for Skandiform. There is a knowledge and tradition in Scandinavia around upholstered furniture that we don’t have in Spain, so such projects are very rewarding to work with. Skandiform wanted a chair for public spaces with a higher backrest to create a sense of privacy, and we gave them a slightly lighter version of that.”
“When we met Blå Station, we instantly felt that we wanted to work with them. The acoustic panels Ginkgo were inspired by Japanese leaves.”
“We go to Stockholm for the fair every year, with a special interest in Offecct, Skandiform, Materia, Nordic Care and Blå Station. Greenhouse, with all the young designers is also interesting.”
“We go to Stockholm for the fair every year, with a special interest in Offecct, Skandiform, Materia, Nordic Care and Blå Station. Greenhouse, with all the young designers is also interesting.”
Designer: MIKHAIL BARASHKOV, Russia
Manufacturer: SELKA-LINE, NIKARI, Finland
“I attended the SFF in 2002, when I was representing with the chair Rudi for Selka-Line. In 2012, I drew the barstool September for Nikari, as part of their project Design for Nature. What struck me the most in our collaboration was the company’s incredibly impressive skills in woodwork. The same carpenters worked with me and the chair from start to finish, which was fantastic.”
Manufacturer: SELKA-LINE, NIKARI, Finland
“I attended the SFF in 2002, when I was representing with the chair Rudi for Selka-Line. In 2012, I drew the barstool September for Nikari, as part of their project Design for Nature. What struck me the most in our collaboration was the company’s incredibly impressive skills in woodwork. The same carpenters worked with me and the chair from start to finish, which was fantastic.”
Designer: CARLOS TISCAR, Spain
Company: OFFECCT and KARL ANDERSSON & SÖNER, Sweden
“The first time I visited Stockholm Furniture Fair was in 1992, if I remember correctly. Me and my girlfriend flew in in our lightweight, Spanish jackets, and thought Stockholm was like a completely different planet. It was pretty special!”
“When we first got to the fair, we found ourselves in a hall full of Christmas decorations and elves, and didn’t understand a thing. But then we found the right place! Stockholm is such a beautiful place, but for an old-fashioned guy like me, I must say that the favourite place is Barista at Victoria biografen at Götgatan. That is a sort of a paradise to me… “
Company: OFFECCT and KARL ANDERSSON & SÖNER, Sweden
“The first time I visited Stockholm Furniture Fair was in 1992, if I remember correctly. Me and my girlfriend flew in in our lightweight, Spanish jackets, and thought Stockholm was like a completely different planet. It was pretty special!”
“When we first got to the fair, we found ourselves in a hall full of Christmas decorations and elves, and didn’t understand a thing. But then we found the right place! Stockholm is such a beautiful place, but for an old-fashioned guy like me, I must say that the favourite place is Barista at Victoria biografen at Götgatan. That is a sort of a paradise to me… “
“I designed two products for Offecct, the chair Louis IX and the sofa Origami. It was a very encouraging mission, I was more or less given free rein, and great support.“
“There is not much difference in working with a Nordic company, thanks to globalisation, we are becoming more and more alike. Unfortunately, I must say. But at the same time, design is a universal language!“
“There is not much difference in working with a Nordic company, thanks to globalisation, we are becoming more and more alike. Unfortunately, I must say. But at the same time, design is a universal language!“
Designer: MATHIAS HAHN
Manufacturer: IKEA, ASPLUND, Sweden
“For me, every collaboration is always about the people you work with. Each project is a new beginning. I worked with IKEA for their PS 2014 collection, and created the mirror collection ME for Asplund.”
Manufacturer: IKEA, ASPLUND, Sweden
“For me, every collaboration is always about the people you work with. Each project is a new beginning. I worked with IKEA for their PS 2014 collection, and created the mirror collection ME for Asplund.”
“My customers usually want me to add my own design approach or way of working. So to set forth ideas that are new to the company, and sometimes challenge existing practices, can be fundamental.”
“I have been to Stockholm Light and Furniture Fair, but can not call myself an insider. However, I can heartily recommend the traditional Swedish cuisine, which I like this time of year.”
“I have been to Stockholm Light and Furniture Fair, but can not call myself an insider. However, I can heartily recommend the traditional Swedish cuisine, which I like this time of year.”
Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair was held in February as part of Stockholm Design Week, with 100 events held around the capital
Manufacturer: GUBI, Denmark
“We created the Collar lamp for Gubi in 2015, and are currently working on another product. I met Jacob Gubi at Maison&Objet in Paris a few years ago and we had a great chat about our way of working, design thinking, favourite materials and our shared passion for design.“