The Flower Power Lamp

The Flower Pot lamp, designed by Verner Panton in 1969, is the lamp of its era and a good example of Scandinavian design.

In the era of the 60s, the flower power generation took over declaring love, peace and harmony for everyone; students revolted in France and Italy, and man was sent to the Moon. The design for that era was bright, colorful and extremely playful – exactly what Verner Panton knew best. He designed his lamp with the happenings of the era in mind – therefore the name, The Flower Pot lamp.

At the same time as being the voice of the hippie era, the design of The Flower Pot lamp is simple and minimalistic like Scandinavian design is thought to be. The lamp consists of two semi-circular, different sized spheres facing each other, and a simple stand for the table lamp models. The colors of the lamp are all bright but only one color is used throughout the whole lamp; this simple design and style makes the lamp an imposing design piece. That was probably also in Verner Panton’s mind when he designed this lamp: for him, the color was even more important than form as he believed that colors aroused feelings.

When offered to the market, The Flower Pot lamp became incredibly popular. The pendants hung in restaurants and exhibitions, and soon in everybody’s homes as well. When many of them with different colors were placed near each other, an almost psychedelic atmosphere was created.

Related to the Panton’s design it is often said, that Verner Panton successfully interpreted the times of the hippie movement and Moon landing. One good example can be seen in Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey, where one of the Verner Panton’s chairs is featured. And when this interpretation is added to the fact that Panton’s design is truly Scandinavian, one may understand that Panton was able to create undeniably unique pieces of design. Someone has said that “an object cannot become a design icon until it has stood the test of time and appears quite naturally in different settings, giving it a symbolic aura of its own.” We agree that The Flower Pot is just that.

Cultural importance of Scandinavian design

In any given country and culture, design has great importance in both cultural and in economic terms. Finnish design’s cultural significance is in creating and maintaining the national identity as well as individual identity. Finnish design is also part of the Finns’ memory and history. The bright and happy fabrics of Marimekko in 1960s were part of many Finns’ youth and their parent’s generation has good memories of Kilta tableware. Finland is known around the world from, for example, Alvar Aalto, Jean Sibelius and a significant design of its own as part of the greater movement of Scandinavian design. 

Scandinavia refers to the countries of Northern Europe

 

Scandinavia refers to the countries of Northern Europe: Denmark, Sweden, Norway. However, when talking about Scandinavian design, Finland is also included. Designers of these countries have all developed their own distinctive style of design since the 1950s. Simple, sleek and functional – that is how Scandinavian design is often described. Natural materials like wood and minimalistic style are also connected to the Scandinavian design and derive largely from cultural influences. But what is the most distinctive feature for Scandinavian design is the manufacturing method: Scandinavian design is about low-cost mass production.

Background of Scandinavian design

The ideological background of Scandinavian design is from 1950s and it includes the emergence of a particular Scandinavian form of social democracy, increased availability of materials and the new methods of mass production. The wood that the designers used at the time was light coloured and the supporting structure was often exposed which added to the drama of the elegance of the designs. Because machine production was in vogue, the Scandinavians were adapting finished edges, curved corners as well as overall smoothness in their unique and artistic way of design.

Industrial and Scandinavian design

Nordic design started to change after the World Wars. People wanted to change from crafts to high-quality production. In 1950s Europe and United States there were big exhibitions about designing and arts and crafts. Nordic designers took part in exhibitions and gained unbelievable popularity. Finland and Denmark were famous for their design and Sweden became known by its glassware and industrial design.

One of the best-known design companies in this area is the Finnish design company Iittala. The history of Iittala dates back to 1881, in small Finnish village called Iittala, which is now part of the city of Hämeenlinna. The reason a factory was built there was typical for the time: all the materials – sand, water and wood – were found nearby the Iittala village. However, there was something that could not be found from nearby: the craftsmanship of glass blowing came from Sweden. At those times, there were no skilled glass blowers in Finland. So, the skill was brought over to Finland from Sweden from whom Finns learnt the skill and developed it into something of their own.

Eventually, functionalism and designers such as Aino and Alvar Aalto changed Iittala’s product catalog completely. These designers wanted to make design objects using mass production methods, and Iittala factory was more than suitable for this. Due to this the Iittala factory became the producer of artistic glass objects also. Later designers like Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva and Oiva Toikka became renowned designers for the company, all creating the fame for the Scandinavian design of glassware coming from Iittala.

Know about Marimekko

Scandinavian design appeared in the 1950s in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Scandinavian design is a design movement and its main features are simple and minimalistic design, and functionality.

A perfect example of a leading Scandinavian design textile company is the Finnish design company Marimekkko which produces fabrics and readymade items for stores all around the world. Marimekko was established in 1951 by Finnish couple, Armi and Viljo Ratia. When Marimekko is translated literally it means “Mary-dress.” Because of Marimekko’s bold and uninhibited textiles and readymade products, it has become a respected name in the world of design. When the style-icon of her days Jackie Kennedy wore Marimekko, Marimekko became a synonym of all things that are modern, chic and sophisticated.

The Finnish industry also has become stronger over the years with the market becoming more diverse and demand having increased since the 1950s. Simultaneously new professional designers have been educated more and more. In 1960s, the Finnish design industry had the courage to start use bold designs because Finland’s textile and furniture exports were doing well and it had economic importance. Thanks for this development are due largely to the courageous design companies of that time such as Marimekko.

Story of Scandinavian Design And Scandinavian designers

Many Scandinavian countries have enjoyed the excellence within their designs for a very long time. Nevertheless the term “Scandinavian design” was widely popularized through exhibitions like “Design in Scandinavia” within the 1950s. As well as term “Scandinavian design” appeared in general in the 1950s. Every Scandinavian country has enjoyed long-established independence and robust identity. Additionally they have valued their historical Viking associations and myths which from Scandinavian designers have taken inspiration into their design. The main features for the Scandinavian designs are minimalistic and simple design and on eof the main feature is functionalism. Scandinavian design can be guided by the key principle of modernism and that is balance between function, material, texture, costs and durability.

Although Scandinavian many people many superficial differences, the people remain to be very alike. However, despite the similarities between Scandinavian countries there are strong stylistic differences concering design. Scandinavian designers’ aim in the Scandinavian design should be to make affordable, beautiful and functional everyday products. In design, Scandinavian designers finds balance between man-made and natural worlds. The Climate in the Scandinavian area includes nine months of dark, cold winter and three months of attractive and bright summer that happen to be and supply of inspiration to the Scandinavian designers.

Scandinavian designers are extremely skillful in terms of the handling of the material because they made use to have limited reasons for the substances so they needed to learn how to use them effectively. Scandinavian designers also have a desire to design and build naturally beautiful everyday objects.

In the 20th century, the craft skills of Scandinavian design were a big influence in the modern design development. Additionally it reflected the notion of “good design”. A typical belief in Scandinavia is the factthat the design of many product whether it is hand-made or machine-made still should bring a mental comfort. The reason for that is that in Scandinavian people don't see designed products as a status symbols but nonetheless rather like to check out them to be a enrichment of lifestyle. Scandinavian designers are well aware that by combining artistic forms and practical function it is so possible to create useful and beautiful everyday objects.

Economic and cultural history of Scandinavian people

Scandinavian people share a same economic and cultural history and linguistic roots (excluding Finland). All have a unique character which reflects each country’s different geographic and environmental conditions. Greater than using other approaches on the earth, designers in Scandinavia have launched and cherished a democratic way to design which seeks the enhancement of many standard living with the help of decent and affordable designs and technology. Since Scandinavian design’s birth in 1920s the toy has been held by an ethical humanist ethos. That moral belief in social necessity has formed the philosophical base from which Scandinavian design has developed and succeeded.

Scandinavians are extremely talented and skilled with respect to design. They're well-known world wide by their inimitable and unique designs which are the bridge between crafts and industrial production. The close bond between beautiful, organic forms and everyday functionality are one of those main strengths in Scandinavian design and also one reason why Scandinavian designs are so liked world wide. 

 

Designers are guided by a belief that well-designed products can improve the overall quality of life with the help of their practical beauty. The long-held credo of “More Beautiful Everyday Objects” because of the Swedish design community says that everyday objects will get to be increasingly valid sooner or later along with the requirement for essential and functional designing solutions. Scandinavian design is known as a hodgepodge of Northern European nation states that forms a cultural and regional entity which is very different from the rest of the Europe.

History of Scandinavian Design

In aftermath of your Second World War, designers from each area seem to answer the request of innovation and modernity which has a voice of their own. The post war Scandinavian movement adapted emerging technologies and materials inside a unique Northern European design.

The wood which is something designers used was light coloured and the supporting structure was often exposed which put onto the drama of many elegance of those designs. Because machine production was stylish, the Scandinavians were adapting finished edges, curved corners in addition to overall smoothness in unique and artistic method of design.

Know about Scandinavian Design and its history.

Scandinavia geographically includes Denmark, Norway and Sweden but when talking about Scandinavian design Finland is also included as a part of it. Scandinavian design emerged in 1950s as a designing movement with its main lines being simplicity and minimalistic designs as well as functionality and mass production.

Scandinavian design of furniture and decorating are famous internationally for their modern, innovative and clean lined qualities. Typical to Scandinavian design is functionality and utility of the products. Use of modern technology with materials like teak wood and metal are also typical to Scandinavian design. Scandinavian glassware and pottery design uses naturalistic forms and in fabrics the main theme are clear and simple patterns.

Scandinavian design has also emerged in the 20th century. There are many examples of art for art’s sake with no functional purpose but life-enhancing beauty. There are also designers who design products for industrial manufacturing. Large glass works and ceramic factories such as Iittala are globally famous for their functional integrity, restrained aesthetics, good durability and excellent quality. It is the Scandinavian designers’ advancement of Organic Design, and that has had the biggest influence on the development of Modernism over the last fifty years.

Modernism

For most of the Scandinavian people, design is known not only as an essential part of everyday life but also as a means of efficient social change. There has been a historical quest to seek an optimum balance between handmade and natural worlds in their work. Scandinavian climate is nine months of dark winter and cold along with three nice months of bright and glamorous summer, which has also meant that designers have got their inspiration from the delightful natural world as well as from the concept of a warm and cheerful home.

The Scandinavian people have always relied on design insight for their survival and have become professionals at the skillful handling of limited material resources. And specifically the lack of material has made Scandinavian designers think about how to use their materials as efficiently as possible. This dependence on design as a way of to survive has led Scandinavian people to give attention to important element of their culture, social and economic welfare.