Lecture 8 : Architecture and Design

March 16th, 2009

As I listened to the lecture on architecture and design I couldn’t help but understand how common the language is among Danes. With almost every example I was able to draw connections back to my host family and their house. With such a broad range of topics it’s hard to focus in and dissect just one, thus I’ve decided to go through point by point highlighting just how Danish my host family really is.

1. Bricks: We live in a small, two-story brick house.

 2. Lights: In addition to a wall of windows in our living room, 

the house is also complete with a few Velux skylights.

3. Heating: The living room is complete with a fireplace 

and the bathroom floors are heated.

4. Fixtures: Our new kitchen has the Vola faucet 

and various doors use Jacobsen’s handles.

[http://www.lipsticktracez.com/reggie/2010/02/vola-color-faucets.php]

5. Lamps: We have two PH lamps. One over the kitchen table and 

one at the computer desk. My room is complete with Panton’s most famous lamp.

In addition to all of these typical Danish design elements we live north of the city one of the 5 fingers of the Copenhagen master plan. Being here in Denmark and interacting with these typical Danish elements on a daily basis has helped me realize how functional Danish design is. It inspires me to strongly consider the design choices I make in the future and return to the States with a strong critical eye.

Lecture 10 : Transportation Design & Architecture

April 16th, 2010

Cities have always been looking to increase the flow of traffic and people better. The ever-changing landscape of an urban area presents many challenges for designers as the city landscape can change rather quickly, while it may take longer for the transit infrastructure to catch up. Thus, as learned during the guest lecture, it is important more so than ever to ensure positive and long lasting effects from today’s transportation design and architecture.

The new 'bike friendly' Norreport Station

[http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/11/04/cobe-wins-first-prize-for-bike-friendly-norreport-station-in-copenhagen/]

Coming from a city with little to no public transit, I’m overall impressed by Copenhagen’s system, but it certainly has its faults. Each morning I arrive to a crowded platform at Norreport Station filled with strollers, suitcases and the occasional smoker. With 7 train lines running into the old station the morning commute can be quite hectic. The new station design looks to alleviate some of these problems while better integrating it into the city street (abolishing the current island form). I believe the new improvements will help the station to function much more efficiently, much like Denmark’s top rated metro system.

 Copenhagen's Metro

[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nørreport_Station_07.JPG]

Throughout my time in Europe this semester I have experienced several different transportation networks and stations, including: Stockholm, Rome, Frankfurt and Berlin. Copenhagen’s S-Tog falls somewhere in the middle of these systems. Although the trains are large and comfortable, the platforms and stations are more camped than say Rome’s metro. My favorite stations were in Berlin and Frankfurt. Both very different each had important unique features that made them successful. Frankfurt’s Main Station is structured much like Europe’s great historic train hubs. All the lines leave and enter the building from a single point. Berlin on the other hand was split into multiple levels and served many different train lines (S-Bahn, U-Bahn, ICE, etc) in a very modern environment.

Frankfurt's Hauptbanhof

[http://placesonline.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html]

Berlin's Hauptbanhof

 [http://czech-transport.com/index.php?id=591]

Train stations are important focal points of your city. They form the first and last impression for visitors, and help to facilitate the flow of people about the city. I believe Copenhagen is on the right with their new Metro stations and hopefully the new Norreport design turns out to be just as beautiful and functional. 

Lecture 11 : Graphic Design

April 27th, 2010

I’ve always been intrigued by the world of graphic design. As a communications major and design minor at university, I often find myself analyzing the visual message we can share with our words. Films like Helvetica continue this dialogue and continue to invite the non-designers into a world where graphics and visuals become important. More so than ever, we see a demand for high quality work not only in an academic sense but in a solid visual presentation as well.

[http://therushmorefilmsociety.wordpress.com/2010/01/]

I found today’s lecture somewhat surprising considering the Danes do not have a strong foothold in graphic design, especially with graphic design officially coming into recognition in the 1950’s alongside the furniture revolution. This being said I’m still intrigued by the country’s commitment to open any and all design competitions to the public. Stamps and money are the most obvious two that come to mind, but at the same time these large public commissions are often dominated by the starts of the design world.

The IRMA example of allowing people to design bags for the grocery bags really stood out to me. Personalization of products is becoming more and more important today and this practice allows for more and more design perspectives to be shared with the world. The IRMA bags reminded me of a project that was started a few years ago in the United States known as Post Secret. A man in Maryland simply asked people to mail him postcards revealing their secrets. The practice of disclosing something near and dear to you has since turned into a phenomenal art project, which helps to relieve people of their strongest fears/emotions. Cards are often cleverly designed and have become quite beautiful/ Today, Post Secret has published several books and also tours the country with an exhibit of cards, in addition to weekly posts on their website.

[http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/categories/food/226684.html]

Will we continue to see a greater push for customizable graphic art in the future? I sure hope so. A lot can be learned from the perspectives of others. Additionally, competitions like IRMA and projects like Post Secret will help to broaden the graphics community. Hopefully companies will take after their examples to truly enhance the global impact graphic design can have.

[http://omabercerita.blogspot.com/2009/06/post-your-secret.html]

Furniture Design

February 16th, 2010

While there are many differences between the United States and Denmark, I believe one of the biggest differences is how people decorate their homes. In America we tend to decorate our houses based on the region we live in. The East coast may have more of a historic feel to the décor of their interior spaces. Florida residents usually stick to a tropical motif and Southern Californians may decorate with a Latino infused modern style. But houses are no means confined to a particular style based on their geographical location. Often times you find places that have themed rooms. Perhaps the kitchen features a collection of chicken objects, or the bathroom feels like an ocean snorkeling adventure. These trends seem highly unlikely in the Danish and Scandinavian home of today.

A painfully tacky American bathroom

[http://sherryspage.com/]

The role furniture plays in the life of Danes is huge. Most Danes would be able to recognize a chair or lamp and name the designer. In the United States people don’t know if you bought your lamp from Target or a high-end lighting store. Our furnishings and architecture isn’t always very honest. After spending time getting to know the different Danish designers and their products I aspire to afford them for my house in the future. But even should I spend several thousand dollars for a lamp or chair, most American’s wouldn’t even realize where it came from or why it’s considered good design.

[http://www.arquitectura.com/arquitectura/monografias/notas/casa_tugendhat/index_en.asp]

These thoughts led me to consider whom we decorate our homes for? Obviously we must be happy within our dwellings, but are we trying to impress others with our furnishings. In the States I think it’s important to have a lavish space and looks and feels cohesive. In Denmark, Danes strive to showcase important pieces of their country’s famous designers. However, because such time and consideration was put into these pieces they function more efficiently and therefore hold a greater importance to the culture. Take for example the PH lamp. Not only does it shield your eyes from direct light, it’s hung lower to tables to help facilitate a stronger connection between the seated persons. These strong intentions proclaimed through honest design is what I hope to emulate back in the states and hopefully inspire others to embrace.

Applied Art Between Nostalgia and Innovation

by Krisitan Berg Nielsen

February 19th, 2010

Upon my arrival in Copenhagen I knew very little about Danish Design. From what I had heard and read, Denmark’s capital was at the forefront of Scandinavian design and well respected around the work, but I was yet to learn why. Images of Kay Bojesen’s Monkey floated through my mind and I was excited to bring home such treasures for friends and family. Little did I know such a children’s toy would set me back over $150.

[http://www.illumsbolighus.dk/uk/product_detail.asp?mode=master&maID=27145]

Nielsen’s article focuses on the boundary between fine arts and applied arts. In many settings we idolize fine arts more so than applied arts. Perhaps we take for granted the work of the designer because in hindsight we find the function of design objects as obvious. However, after spending time in Denmark and visiting various museums and design shops, it’s clear this country has developed an appreciation for applied arts that puts them on the same pedestal as applied arts.

TOMS Shoes is a company that combines fine arts (print) with applied arts (fashionable shoe) to make a difference in the world by donating a pair of their footwear every time a pair is purchased. This 1:1 model is successful thanks to the help of beautiful and functional pieces.

[www.toms.com]

Using the Bauhaus as an example, Nielsen draws an interesting connection for me back to today’s Danish icons. During the glory years of the Bauhaus, the applied arts were not recognized as being equal to the fine arts. And in many cases today this is true. I believe designers have certainly found a niche in Denmark to promote them as equals. I personally hadn’t really considered the subject until this semester, but it makes sense that the two be viewed as equally skilled trades. As one who appreciates art and design of all sorts I find it silly to chose one over the other and the selection process somewhat demeaning to the community as a whole. In a world where problems are abound and funding for the arts is being cut, dividing artists and designers in two is a careless mistake. By fusing the practices and viewing them in the same light, as the Danes do, I think we can make a giant leap forward towards attacking global issues indirectly calling for the help of the arts/design community.

The power design can ultimately have on the world.

[http://www.jillm.com/beyond/2007/08/]

Reading Review: Danish Fashion

by Marie Reigels Melchoir

March 9th, 2010

Denmark’s designers are best known for their chairs. However, this article focused on how fashion is becoming a rising player in the country’s design arena. Although I have to say it seems as though there hasn’t been much development in the furniture area since the ‘golden age,’ I have trouble considering Copenhagen as a fashion design capital of the world. The article doesn’t try to articulate the city as a shining star yet, but from an outsiders perspective, I don’t believe the profession is quite as revolutionary as it was talked up to be.

Copenhagen's fashion week.

[http://girldir.com/news-events/]

Since living abroad people have asked me how people in Denmark differ from those in the United States. When speaking about a particular look or visual identity I have trouble expressing to people the uniqueness of their style. Do the men dress better? Certainly. In the States it’s nearly impossible to find a male over the age of 30 with product in his hair. However, there isn’t per say a distinct style or fashionable mark that stands out to me.

There are definitely products that are more common for Danes to wear or carry. For example, I found fur coats are much more popular here than in the United States. Additionally, Fjällräven packpacks are also a staple in the young Dane’s look. However, neither fur coats or these Swedish backpacks are uniquely Danish. In some senses I believe it is hard to separate Denmark’s style from the rest of Scandinavia. Having traveled to all four countries, there was no remarkable difference in the appearance of everyday people in any particular place.

[http://www.sayyestohoboken.com/2009/12/fjallraven-backpacks.html]

With this in mind, why is it important for Danish fashion to stand alone? Is there any reason it can’t be considered part of a Scandinavian look? The article makes it clear that the industry has come a long way and there certainly are elements that could be considered uniquely Danish, but I don’t see the need to force something that isn’t there.

Swedish fashion giant, H&M.

[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:H_und_M_Logo_in_Hamburg.jpg]

Lecture 7 : Interior Design

I was a bit surprised the first time I stepped into my host family's house. One couch? A family of 4 (now 5) and only one couch? And where was the recliner? My initial reaction to the minimalist style that defines the Danes interior spaces was a bit surprised. Back home we have three different rooms for leisure seating each which two couches and at least one chair. But as I quickly came to realize, my host families set up wasn't all that different from their fellow Danes.

When describing how Danes live to people back home I being by explaining the fundamental white walls and unfinished hardwood floors. Next, I mention that rooms feel like museums with carefully selected Scandinavian furnishings often recognizable by majority of the population. PK lamps and skylights brighten the space while Tivoli radios and B&O televisions bring the room to life. The focus on interior is quite different from the United States. We spend our money on designer hand bags and flashy cars to display our wealth and sense of self worth. I find it no surprise that the Danes, living in a social welfare society, are more focused on what lies within -- their dwellings a fine example of this.

Although I've become quite fascinated with the Danish approach to interior furnishing, I've often questioned the homogeneity of  the art. Stores like Illums proudly display the chairs that helped put Denmark on the design map, but has Denmark's obsession with 'golden age' furniture crippled their ability to continuously press the envelope and design for the future? I'm certainly not criticizing the work of Jacobsen, Juhl and Panton, but simply questioning if their impact has been too strong on today's Danish homemaker.

There is no doubt my future living spaces will be inspired by Denmark's attention to quality and simplicity. A visit with my host family to a former neighbor's new Copenhagen apartment had me in shock by the sheer size of the space. The apartment for two is smaller than my studio for the next school year. Understanding Danish interiors goes beyond furniture with their size and organization speaking just as loudly. These elements cannot be forgotten when studying the typical dwelling in Denmark. Additionally, the inclusion of exterior space is almost equally important. Not only do expansive glass walls facilitate a discussion with nature, but they further enhance the quality of light in a space. Together these elements create an honest Danish living space.