Cities are filled with an invisible landscape of networks that have become an interwoven part of daily life. Intrigued by the fact that Wi-Fi networks are starting to influence how urban environments are experienced and understood, Touch set out to explore just what the immaterial terrain of Wi-Fi looks like.
Working with a wide range of products and materials, the young Norwegian designer Vibeke Skar strives to create distinctive products that people can relate to in an emotional way. Not satisfied with creating beautiful and functional designs, Vibeke´s ambition is to tell stories with the objects themselves; often finding inspiration in Norwegian nature, culture and traditions.
During our research for various interior design projects during the last year, we have often stumbled across the work of the talented Scandinavian photographer, Ditte Isager. Whether shooting interiors, personalities, lifestyle or travel, her style is always simple, sparse and typically Scandinavian.
In an effort to write about the best art, design and fashion from the Nordic Region, lifeiscarbon® has just returned from a visit to Ambiente in Frankfurt. Ever on the look out for the best new designs from Scandinavia, we were not disappointed and will be sharing our favorite finds with you in the near future. Beginning with the latest offerings from one of favorite young designers from the region, Jenk Design Office.
The young Norwegian lighting company, Northern Lighting, has come a long way since first wrote about them in 2006 and this year has seen the introduction of an impressive range of new products. Moo, their homage to the humble Scandinavian elk, is hard to miss these days since it’s quickly become the favorite design object to adorn the walls of design based businesses in Oslo.
Given that Monica Förster is the creator of some of the most internationally renowned objects in contemporary Swedish design, it’s taken far too long for lifeiscarbon® to mention her in their pages. Even more so because she is the designer of the legendary Cloud, one of our all-time favorite pieces of Scandinavian design.
It seems we becoming somewhat predictable in our old age (did we mention that lifeiscarbon® is almost 2 years old). Last time we were inspired to write about cushions, snow was lying thick on the ground outside and it’s no different this time. Much of Norway got a shock yesterday morning when it awoke to face a winter wonderland outside and many took the decision to stay at home rather than face the traffic chaos caused by the early arrival of snow. We were no different, and perhaps spending a day lounging about on the sofa with a Powerbook reminded us of the need for some new cushions.
One of the great things about being a parent is that fact that, despite being an adult, one has the perfect excuse to buy all the toys that one never had as a child. Given that many of us live in open plan spaces these days, toys have ended up becoming interesting design objects liberally scattered about the home, well used and highly visible. Perhaps this explains the Scandinavian trend of creating beautifully crafted toys that often end up becoming highly collectable design objects for children and adults alike.
Despite our penchant for all things monochromatic (did we mention that lifeiscarbon®love white and also happen to love black?) we have to admit that, with the hours of daylight shortening fast and the gloom of Winter descending upon us, we’ve fallen for a shockingly cheerful new color. Quite out of character for us but, in Scandinavia at least, yellow is the new black. And luckily for us, it seems that our Danish design favorites, Muuto love yellow too.
It’s been way too long since lifeiscarbon® has written about its Scandinavian design favorites Muuto, and now there are simply too many great new designs to squeeze into one post. So we hope you’ll forgive us for writing two quick articles about this remarkable Danish design company, a company that’s almost single handedly defining the look of Scandinavian Modern in the 21st century.
It’s rare that official company showrooms are as inspirational as the eclecticism of smaller independent design stores but together with Normann Copenhagen’s showroom in Copenhagen, the Swedese Shop in Stockholm ranks as one of lifeiscarbon’s favorite stores in Scandinavia. Of course, much of the store’s appeal is do to Swedese’s own range of furniture but it’s also due to their careful selection of Scandinavian design classics that accessorize the interior.
Linde&Sandström, a Danish-Swedish design firm, creates furniture that seem destined to last. Their designs are classic yet somehow edgy and innovative whilst always remaining elegant and functional. Intriguingly based on either side of the Oresund Bridge with offices in both Copenhagen and Malmö, Linde&Sandström was founded by the Danish 3D designer Anne Linde and Swedish interior designer Monica Sandström.
Considering the style and functionality of Nordic design and the liberal attitudes towards the body and nakedness in Scandinavia, it should be no surprise that the Pee & Poo brand exists. Originally designed as two friendly personalities to help children feel more comfortable with the potty training experience, Pee & Poo work equally well as cuddly companions for children or as humorous gifts for adults...at least those who have never quiet outgrown potty humor.
Pee & Poo, literally a yellow droplet and chunky brown dollop, were developed by the Swedish/English designer Emma Megitt as part of her masters degree in Graphic Design at Gothenburg University. Since its creation in 2004, the brand has grown to include clothing for both children and adults, together with a range of accessories. Successfully marrying together aesthetic and educational elements, the brand has become popular at home in Sweden and around the world with children and adults alike. See more of the range below:
As is often the case with young up and coming Scandinavian designers, you won’t find much information about Mats Seitz on his website. No matter, luckily his fast growing body of work speaks for itself including his latest design, the simple yet effective Klossel.
A puzzle based on a simple truck motif, Klossel is the first product in a series of educational building block toys for children. As with much of Mats Seitz’s work, the toy is strictly minimalist in design, in this case with the intention of allowing children to express their imagination.
Some of our favorite designs include the highly functional though cute looking CanCan (a modular clothing hanger), his Wall-E resembling floor lamp and his distinctively designed side table, which is sure to become a design classic. Take a look below to read a brief profile of the designer and to see a selection of his work:
Given the rate at which they launch new designs, it’s no surprise that one of our first postings after the long Summer break is about a whole host of new products from our Danish design favorites, Normann Copenhagen.
As always, the new products, with simple yet intriguing names such as Moon, Drop and Fusion, are the usual mix of stylish form and clever function with a small dose of humor thrown in for good measure. Normann Copenhagen also seem intent on enlisting the help of some of the more interesting designers not only from Scandinavia but from around the world. The latest series of products have been designed with the help of Herbert Krenchel, Matthias Demacker, Odoardo Fioravanti, Rikke Hagen and Jakob Helberg.
Take a look below at some of our favourites from the new additions to Normann Copenhagen’s already impressive line-up of products: