by Monica Crânganu

The clean-cut and easy recognizable lines of the Scandinavian style were born out of the natural need to simplify and spiff up daily life, by emphasizing the natural charm of simple things.

Through a combination of beautiful and organic shapes with immediate purpose, the Nordic creations respond to the necessities of a practical life style. This is the essence of Scandinavian design in general, though each Nordic country (Norway, Swede, Den­mark, Island and Finland) displays several personality differences by nature.

Industrialization occurred in Scandi­navia later than in the neighboring coun­tries, fact that has better preserved tradi­tional craftsmanship. The artists got their inspiration from all the surrounding things and objects. Considering the rather iso­lated geographical location, the overflow­ing creativity was stimulated by traditional crafts and the unprecedented manner in which all primary and handy materials were being used. Thus, everything was designed in order to be accessible to everyone.

This target was stated during 1920 – 1930 and the reference point was the Stockholm Exhibition (1930). The objects` usefulness came before the aes­thetic and decorative purpose, but after industrializa­tion, the functional role evolved towards shapes that nevertheless responded to the people`s emotional needs, yet not going overboard in terms of gar­nishing the compositions.

Foto: Alvhem Mäkleri

The geographical position of the Scan­dinavian countries implies very long winters and few hours a day of natural light; as a result these realities produced a style that is very clear, bright, dominated by light colors, a lot of white and has very prac­tical backgrounds. This pragmatic trend had rapidly spread out all over the world and is permanently reinterpreted ever since, thus reinstating its timeless and vital traits.

Scandinavian design is mainly ex­pressed in furniture design. The term it­self was officially launched at the London exhibition in 1951 – Scandinavian Design for Living –, meaning furniture and lighting objects creations coming from Scandinavian countries.

The Nordic artists went down in history with the revolutionary solutions they proposed. Alvar Aalto, one of the greatest architects of modern era, has left over 200 public and private buildings that marked the transcending of neo-classicism towards modernism, via an organic con­struction concept, where interior space was strictly designed as a harmoni­ous extension of the exterior space. This is also the vision behind custom made furniture, as an inseparable component of architecture. Revolution didn`t take place only in the area of shapes, but also in terms of the tech­nologies that eased the maximum render of products by using natural ma­terials (especially wood) - instead of cold metallic structures - in order to provide warmth to the interiors.

The creators who followed Aalto - Eero Saarinen and Charles Eames – are two of the most famous organic inspired furniture designers. These are only a few of the names who went down in the history of Nordic de­sign: Arne Jacobson, Kaj Franck, Bruno Mathersson, Poul Kjærhom, Poul Henningsen, Nanna Ditzel, Kay Bojesen, Carl-Axel Acking, Finn Juhl, Verner Panton, Tapio Wirkkala, Hans Wegner, Ilmari Tapiovaara, Grete Jalk and In­gegerd Råman.

Panton Chair produced for Vitra in 1967 by Verner Panton had become an ”iconic” piece, inspired by the Italian futuristic style and had launched therewith some chromatic schemes that were quite daring for the `60s -`70s. These objects were very much appreciated at their time and were used in famous films and countless photo sessions to provide vanguard backgrounds.

Rock Chair & Rock Seat

Designed by Fredrik Färg

Despite being simple and lacking any useless details, the pictorial shapes inspired by nature are always targeting ergonomics and comfort through a structured creation study. It is remarkable how the identity of Scandinavian design is very well asserted by the tradition that still goes on today and becomes richer and richer – the proof of success and stability winning over fashion`s passing whims.