Design Society Denmark publication by Urgent.Agency Publications

Design Society Denmark | Partners

Design Society Denmark BoDW 2012 Primary partners: Confederation of Danish Industry Danish Architecture Centre Danish Business Authority Danish Design Association Danish Design Centre Danish Fashion Institute INDEX: Design To Improve Life® Innovation Centre Denmark, Hong Kong The Royal Danish Academy, School of Design Designmuseum Denmark

Partners: Danish Design and Architecture Initiative Ministry of Business And Growth Denmark Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Hong Kong Design Centre Hong Kong Design Institute Hong Kong Trade Development Council The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Ambassadors of Design Hong Kong

Head of project, Design Society Denmark Christina Melander Iben Højer Hansen www.ddc.dk/hkbodw2012

Exhibition concept & design LOOP Associates www.loopassociates.com UiWE www.uiwe.dk

Design Society Denmark | Preface

“DESIGNERS AND BUSINESS USERS OF DESIGN HAVE INCREASED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WELL-BEING OF SOCIETIES”

Hong Kong Business of Design Week is a premiere and highly recognized international design event in Asia organised by Hong Kong Design Centre. Now in its 11th year, BODW – also as an anchor event in 2012 Hong Kong Design Year – continues to enlighten thinking and inspire dialogue through an unrivaled blend of forums, exhibitions and outreach programmes. BODW is intended for business leaders, designers, brand creators and owners, industrialists, educators, SMEs and the public to exchange ideas and explore business opportunities in Asia. Working with Denmark as BODW’s partner country this year, the theme “Design for Society” reflects a growing awareness that design is part of the fabric of our city, culture, living and economy. Designers and business users of design have increased responsibility for the well-being of societies. Denmark has a very rich design culture and is also at the forefront of social design and design for better living. We look very much forward to the opportunity to learn, share insights and foster new relationships.

Victor Lo

Chairman, Board of Directors Hong Kong Design Centre

Design Society Denmark | Introduction

Design Society Denmark | Content

DESIGN SOCIETY DENMARK Danish design is recognised around the world for its functional, beautiful and authentic products. But there is more to that story. Danish design is an integral part of creating a socially responsible, sustainable and competitive society. In Denmark, design competencies are increasingly combined with a broader perspective on the needs of people and society. That is why we call Denmark a design society.

Danish design is about great objects – and more. Denmark combines the classic competencies of industrial and furniture design with the design of systems, services and infrastructure. This has contributed to shaping Danish businesses, public institutions and societal structures. Design in this sense is part of Danish society’s DNA and is applied broadly in most problem solving in Denmark today. Many of Denmark’s most successful global companies integrate design in the very core of their business. Whether it is about making it easier for people to take their medication or simpler for a company to save on energy, design is key. Danish design is about making it easy to do good – and to do good business.

Pioneering new solutions Design Society Denmark demonstrates how designers create quality solutions in many different fields. Danish design rests on a foundation of traditional craftsmanship. Increasingly, however, Danes explore design as a means for addressing the urgent global challenges of today and tomorrow. On the agenda are crucial issues such as energy management, recycling, transportation, urban planning and welfare. www.ddc.dk/hwbodw2012

6 DENMARK IN THE WORLD / DANISH FACTS 8 ALWAYS MORE THAN ICONS Tracing the DNA of Danish design 10 HOME QUALITY Functional, bold and beautiful 16 HUMAN VISION Design for people

22 INTELLIGENT BEAUTY Clear-cut Nordic aesthetics 28 DEMOCRATIC FASHION Global fashion sensibility 30 URBAN INNOVATION Designing sustainable cities 34 DESIGN PARTNERS & CREATORS Professional impact-makers 38 LINKS To Design Society Denmark

Design Society Denmark | Denmark in the World

DENMARK IN THE WORLD

Design Society Denmark | Danish Facts

Denmark is a part of Scandinavia, located in Northern Europe. Denmark is a member of the European Union. With 43,100 square metres Denmark is forty times the size of Hong Kong. Denmark has a population of 5.6 million people – about 2 million people fewer than the population of Hong Kong. 1.2 million people live in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. Copenhagen Harbour is home to the world-famous Little Mermaid.

DANISH FACTS

Proud to pay tax The income tax in Denmark is one of the world’s highest – almost 50% and even more for high-income groups. Nevertheless, more than 40% of Danes state that they are happy to pay their taxes.

Designed for social equality Denmark has a strong welfare state that offers free healthcare, social security and education to all citizens. Students in Denmark are actually paid to attend university.

A people who trust people International surveys confirm that Danes have a remarkable degree of trust in their fellow citizens. The open public administration and the well-educated population are considered some of the reasons for this high degree of mutual trust.

A nation with a strong design policy Denmark was one of the first countries in the world to formulate a design policy, which it did in 1997. The policy has been updated several times and puts a strong emphasis on design as an innovation tool.

Innovative technology users Studies show that Danish consumers are among the fastest in the world to adopt new products and technologies.

Happy bikers – come rain or come shine Danes are happy bikers. 18% of the Danes bike every day, and in Copenhagen 55% bike on a daily basis. 80% of the cyclists continue to take the bicycle throughout the cold Danish winters!

A land of fairytales Denmark is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875), the famous poet and author who wrote such popular fairytales as “The Little Mermaid”, “The Nightingale” and “The Little Match Girl”.

The Little Mermaid in Shanghai In 2012, Denmark’s most famous tourist attraction, “The Little Mermaid”, travelled 8000 km to visit the World Exhibition in Shanghai as part of the Danish pavilion “Welfairytales”.

Design to improve life INDEX: Award, the world’s largest design prize with the mission of awarding design that improves life, is based in Denmark,

China in Denmark In June 2012, the former Chinese President Hu Jintao went to Denmark where he met with Denmark’s Queen Margrethe the Second, a sign of a promising future for a strategic partnership between Denmark and China.

Design Society Denmark | Always more than icons

ALWAYS MORE THAN ICONS TRACING THE DNA OF DANISH DESIGN

Design Society Denmark | Always more than icons

1965-1975

1975-1985

Design for the home

Design for a cooler era

The 1950s and 60s were a time of great recognition for Danish furniture design worldwide, where it was known under the collective term Danish Modern. In the span of just a few years, Denmark became a leading design nation, and this era is often referred to as the Golden Age of Danish design.

As a result of the general economic slowdown in the late 1970s, attention turned once again to internal issues, and industrial designers no longer engaged in major societal issues. The systema tisation that had swept through the public sector in the preceding decade now entered the home. The design that characterised products for the home was 100% industrial – everything was moulded or cast in a cool, high-tech look, pure industrial aesthetics with shiny surfaces and visible technical features.

Design for society Around 1970, the designer’s main task of design for the home expanded to include the workplace, the care sector, and the public space. Designers were involved in expanding and improving, for example, transportation and communication systems, and for the care sector they developed furniture, equipment and technical aids.

1975

1967

1969

1977

1970

1975

1985–1995

1995–2005

Design as method

Design as a concept

Design for life

Around 1990, Danish designers began to take a real interest in ecology and sustainability, and with a growing sense of responsibility and environmental issues, designers began to take up ethical concerns.

The eco-trend and the emphasis on sustainable design continued into the new millennium, and companies were facing growing demands from consumers to provide ethically viable products and production without pollution.

Increasingly, companies began to involve designers as problem-solvers to develop smart solutions based on user needs. To facilitate the design process new user-driven innovation methods were developed, and a wide range of innovative solutions were launched in the fields of assistive aids, medical equipment etc. The advance of computer technology led to increasing complexity, especially in the communication sector. The internet provided new commercial channels and communication platforms.

A romantic view of nature developed in response to our need to slow down and adopt a holistic perspective. Associations were made to authentic and original qualities, and many products appeared as one-offs, although they were in fact examples of industrial and functionally determined design.

Today, our sense of respon sibility toward the planet is greater than ever. The notion of a product’s life cycle “from cradle to grave” has been expanded to the notion “from cradle to cradle” in an at tempt to reach a stage where product waste is reused as future raw materials or prod ucts. Recycling has become upcycling. New materials and production methods emerge as a result of current sustain ability requirements and the conditions they impose on designers and manufacturers.

1978

1986

1980

1988

1995

1988

1996

Plantangent Switches and sockets.

In recent years, the concept of design has expanded considerably and now goes far beyond product and furni ture design. New important concepts involve immaterial design, service design, experi ence design, co-creation design, among many others. Design can no longer be put on a simple formula but po tentially includes all aspects of life. A common feature of all types of design is that it must improve life – either through concrete improve ments or through experiences and emotions.

1997

Company: Lauritz Knudsen.

Denmark has been widely recognized as a design nation in the 20th century. But what are the origins of Danish Design? There is a DNA-string that runs through the different products and solutions that have emerged from Denmark. The present selection of solutions, all recipients of the Danish Design Award, represents some of the persistent themes and varying currents in Danish design.

Designer: Henning Adreasen. 1977 Kompan playground equipment. Company: Kompan. Designer: 1967

1972

Tom Lindhardt.

Cylinda Line pitcher set. Company:

1982

1978

Stelton. Designer: Arne Jacobsen.

1986 Basta Click bicycle lock. Company

1990

and design: Basta Låsefabrik.

The rich diversity of the Danish Design Awards, founded in 1965, ranges from dental equipment to windows, from playground furniture to windmills. The many original solutions confirm that Danish design was about more than beauty from the very beginning. Though always aesthetic, Danish design is and always has been engaged in developing solutions that solve problems for people.

Bates refuse system. Bates Ventil

GN Telemativ. Designer: Henning

1988

Furniture castor. Company: Scan

Andreasen.

Danwin 23/24 windmill. Company:

1996

Danwin. Designer: Jørn Blinkenberg

DigiFocus hearing aid. Oticon

Willadsen & Bjørn Rønne.

Design Christian Bjørn Design

Castor. Designer: Jørgen Rasmus1980

sen. 1970

1973

Gerni 313. High-pressure cleaner. Company: Nilfisk-Gerni. Designer: Christian Bjørn og Eskild Tjalve.

Beolit 600 radio. Company: Bang & Olufsen. Designer: Jakob Jensen.

1983/1984

1988

1992

1997

Mini-el electric car. Company:

Pictoform guidelines for the blind.

El-trans af 1989. Designer Ray Innes.

GHform ApS. Design Knud Holscher

1982 Odontoson 3 dentist equipment.

1990

Hank Porcelain. Company: Royal

Company: Odontosyringe. Design-

NovoLetTM easy insulin pen.

2000

Copenhagen. Designer: Erik Mag-

er: David Lewis & Lennart Goof.

Company: Pharma-plast A/S &

Green Light. Technical Traf-

Novo Nordisk A/S. Designer: Steve 1974

1983/1984

2003

Industrial Design.

1972

nussen.

2000

Bjørn Design A/S.

1969

McGugan.

fic Solution A/S. Design Harrit & 1994

Sørensen A/S.

1973

Leitech Thread control gauge.

Velux window. Company and

Company: Leitech Components.

1992

2003

designer: Team velux & Kann Ras-

Designer: Arne Nielsen.

Wavin Ultra Inspection Chamber.

SQFlex Water pump. Grundfos

Company: Nordisk Wavin.

Management A/S. Design Niels

Designer: Lars Baungaard.

Due Jensen.

Copier 626 Rex Rotary 4000.

1994

2007

Company and designer: Eskofort

Mogens Holm-Rasmussen electric

Training pavilion.

A/S & Contex components &

sports wheelchair. Company and

Design Hans Lyngsgård.

Business machines.

design: Mogens Holm-Rasmussen.

mussen Industry.

See winners of the Danish Design Award at www.ddc.dk

1995 Sække CO A/S. Design Christian

F78 Telephone. Company:

Danish design may seem to have undergone a remarkable trans formation – from the internationally acclaimed “Danish modern” furniture classics from the 1950s and 60s to today’s broader concept of design. And certainly, there has been a development in design thinking towards highlighting the importance of social concerns and sustainability. However, a firm focus on people and society was always a strong feature of Danish design.

1974

2007

Design Society Denmark | Home quality

CARL HANSEN & SON

HOME QUALITY

Aiming for the good life Danes spend a great deal of time in their homes. The home is a social space where it is common to invite friends for dinner. Perhaps this strong connection to the home has contributed to Danish designers’ highly developed sense of quality and their emphasis on everyday use and sustainability? In any case, the furniture and interior in Danish homes is designed to be both beautiful and practical. The widely recognised Danish Design artefacts were not designed merely to please the eye. The celebrated architect Arne Jacobsen designed houses that derived their form from a profound wish to provide more light, better hygiene, more space and improved air quality for the people living in them. The houses were not furnished just to look smart but to provide functional, flexible and accessible furniture and tools for modern households. Their beauty stems from the fine integration of function, use and a profound understanding of proportion and materials.

A contemporary tradition

FUNCTIONAL, BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL To most Danes, home is more than a place to sleep and eat – it is a place to live. The Danish designers are internationally celebrated for their high-quality home solutions, fit for everyday use. Danish furniture design has a strong emphasis on function and materials as well as aesthetics and simplicity. Design for the open-minded – often minimalist, bold and beautiful.

The Danish furniture tradition is well known for its functionalist classics such as Arne Jacobsen’s famous chairs The Egg and The Swan (1958), The China Chair by Hans J. Wegner as well as the works of Kaare Klint, Poul Kjærholm and others. Today, quality furniture makers such as Republic of Fritz Hansen, Carl Hansen & Son and Lange Production continue to celebrate the classics while also introducing new design objects. “Danish Modern” design has proven to be a very good investment. Sales at the prestigious auctions at Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers of Fine Art confirm the long-term viability of Danish design. Here, modern Danish furniture classics have proven to be not only an aesthetical and functional experience but also an excellent investment. Another key dimension in Danish design is the characteristic use of colour and light. Danish architecture and home design have a passion for light and for solutions that enhance the experience of light. That is also true of the lighting pioneer Lightyears, which keeps challenging the way we perceive light through new, creative lamp designs. A common denominator in Danish design of quality home products is the ambition to create timeless furniture and objects. To be truly modern is not about following fashion; it is about maintaining a cool focus on perception and use. That goes for the celebrated Danish design classics as well as the many talented contemporary Danish designers.

TAKING FURNITUREMAKING SERIOUSLY Danish designers have a strong focus on preserving traditional craftsmanship and a passion for engaging in modern life. The combination of the classic skills, with their focus on tactile qualities, and an interest in contemporary production methods might be part of the reason for the world-wide success of Danish furniture design. It certainly works for Carl Hansen & Son.

Carl Hansen & Son produces high-quality design furniture such as dining tables and chairs, armchairs, foot rests, and sofas as well as office furniture and furniture for children. In accordance with its roots and the celebrated

proud craftsmanship combined with modern production technology.

Classics meets contemporary

Danish designer Hans J Wegner’s design philosophy, the company produces furniture of lasting value with respect for sustainable design and materials. The high-quality design and production methods adhere to decades of

Carl Hansen & Son produces several of the celebrated designer Hans J Wegner’s most outstanding designs as well as classics by many of Denmark’s other renowned designers such as Mogens Koch, Kaare Klint and Ole Wanscher. Carl Hansen & Son also continues to find and incorporate new designs

into their portfolio, including works by the the well-known Japanese furniture designer Tadao Ando.

About Carl Hansen & Son With more than 100 years of traditions, Carl Hansen & Son is an internationally renowned furniture producer. Carl Hansen & Son’s products are being sold around the world today trough sales subsidiaries, showrooms, sales representatives and agents. www.carlhansen.com

Design Society Denmark | Home quality

REPUBLIC OF FRITZ HANSEN

LANGE PRODUCTION

A PASSION FOR CRAFTSMANSHIP

oping and renewing furniture in line with the founding principles and outstanding expertise. Today, furniture from Fritz Hansen is used to furnish buildings around the world, from international corporations to the homes of modern city dwellers with a passion for genuine and effortless quality.

PASSIONATE MINIMALISM

About Republic of Fritz Hansen Founded in 1872, Fritz Hansen is one of the world’s leading design and manufacturing firms within premi-

One of the strong Danish design traditions is the ability to realise the potential of good materials through outstanding craftsmanship. The aim is to create simple and functional beauty that enhances the quality of everyday life. The legendary Danish furniture company Republic of Fritz Hansen shows this rare ability to fuse the skills of passionate craftsmen with the progressive ideas of some of the most distinguished designers.

um furniture design. Fritz Hansen

Throughout its history, furniture from the Republic of Fritz Hansen has been made not only for its aesthetic beauty but also for its functional, flexible and accessible contribution to modern living. It matches the strong Danish tradition for a holistic approach to product design that considers the larger social and practical context.

is renowned for exquisite quality

There is a strong connection between the company founder, the visionary cabinet maker Fritz Hansen, and the contemporary creators of furniture that is prized all over the world. One of the DNA-strings in the Republic of Fritz Hansen is to remain open to new currents, devel-

www.fritzhansen.com

and a collection of design icons stemming from collaboration with some the world’s most influential architects and designers. Some of the most recognised designs in Fritz Hansen’s collection are the Egg, the Swan and the Series 7 chair, designed by Arne Jacobsen, the China Chair, designed by Hans J Wegner, and the PK22 chair and the PK80 day bed, designed by Poul Kjærholm.

The search for the supreme synthesis of design, quality and function is remarkably current in modernist Danish Design. In recent years, the great modernist designers have enjoyed a renaissance in the consumers’ hearts and homes. The backbone of Lange Production is reintroducing and developing furniture design with inspiration from functionalist classics.

Scandinavian functionalist design from the 1920s and 60s has had a strong impact on later generations of designers and furniture enthusiasts. That is also true of the renowned designers Fabricius & Kastholm, who created a range of minimalist furniture in the 1960s that is timeless, yet captures the spirit of the age.

Lange Production has resumed production of these unique furniture designs, producing them in the same factory and with the same tools that were used to make the original furniture in the 1960s. The new production is based on a close collaboration between Lange Production and Jørgen Kastholm. The visionary international style of home design has proven to have a long-lasting quality, which makes the production a viable business. Lange Production also relaunched the GJ Chair by Grete Jalk, which received the RedDot Design Award in 2009. Currently, Lange Production is venturing into a new era with a range of furniture by other master designers.

About Lange Production The founder of Lange Production, Henrik Lange, bought a pair of Fabricius & Kastholm chairs at an antique auction and was so excited by the form idiom that he wanted to relaunch it. Today, Lange production holds the global and exclusive licence to produce these quality designs, with more to come. www.langeproduction.dk

Design Society Denmark | Home quality

BRUUN RASMUSSEN AUCTIONEERS

LIGHTYEARS

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE

As natural light in Scandinavia is scarce, lamp design has always fascinated Nordic designers. Light not only creates ambience, it is a condition for our general well-being. In the field of lighting, Danish design offers a diversity of shapes, materials and new, sustainable light sources. Amongst the pioneers is the lighting company Lightyears, which continually challenges the ways we view, perceive and design light.

A deliberate choice of design Lightyears designs and produces high-quality lamps that provide functional lighting and please the eye. At the core of the company’s original design is a clear association between a lamp’s form and purpose: A lamp must always emit optimum light. Function takes precedence in the design. In close cooperation with some of the world’s best designers and architects, Lightyears has created a range of contemporary and innovative lamps. All lamps are manufactured from robust materials such as aluminium, steel, glass, acrylic and polycarbonate. The core ambition of their collections is the fusion of the young and the established. Lightyears appreciates the curiosity and boldness of the up-and-coming while respecting the skill and the trained eye of the more experienced designers.

Lighting up Asia Lightyears has experienced genuine enthusiasm and high demand from the Asian market. The distribution set-up in Asia revolves around committed local partners who can serve the market with qualified guidance on a daily basis. Lightyears’ bestseller, the Caravaggio pendant by Cecilie Manz, is frequently spotted as part of the interior design in high-end installations in the Asian region – for example at Dean and Deluca in Tokyo.

About Lightyears Lightyears takes pride in creating luminous lighting products that combine tradition and renewal. The collection offers modern interpretations of everyday lighting products. The collection aims to shed light on new takes on how and where to use contemporary illumination. Lightyears wants to be second to none in developing experiences where design and function enhance and empower the customer’s surroundings – throughout the world. www.lightyears.dk

ENDURING DESIGN IS GOOD BUSINESS Aesthetics and user-friendliness are wellknown features of Danish furniture design. Therefore, Danish design can be an excellent investment. During the last decades, modern Danish design has become one of the most profitable categories on the international auction market. The craftsmanship and quality of the classics of the 1920-60s have a big share in this success, often mediated by Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers.

“Danish Modern” remains contemporary Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers put approximately 12,000 designer objects up for auction every year, among them classics by Hans J Wegner, Finn Juhl, Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjærholm and Poul Henningsen. The “Danish Modern” design products of the 1920s to 1960s are particularly popular, embracing the principles of modernism and classical craftsmanship in a furniture design based on simplicity and comfort that is still current in the 21st century.

By targeting shares of their business on sales to China and intensifying their activities in Hong Kong, Bruun Rasmussen is committing to a long tradition of trade and cultural exchange between China and Denmark dating back to the 18th century and the trading company Asiatisk Kompagni (Asian Company). Today, Bruun Rasmussen provides Asian customers free delivery of items bought at their auctions to Hong Kong, reducing the distance between Scandinavia and the Far East.

About Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers is one of Europe’s leading auction houses. Arne Bruun Rasmussen conducted his first auction in Copenhagen in 1948. Today, his son Jesper Bruun Rasmussen stands at the helm of the family-run business, and the next generation is also involved in the auction house. More than 100,000 lots including art, antiques, modern design, jewellery, books, coins, stamps, wine and weapons etc. are offered every year at conventional auctions and daily online auctions.

www.bruun-rasmussen.com

Design Society Denmark | Human vision

Design Society Denmark | Home quality

LEGO GROUP

HUMAN VISION DESIGN FOR PEOPLE Danish design and architecture have a proud tradition for focusing on the human experience of objects and spaces. That is true not only of the design classics. In Denmark, design is also a way of thinking and a way of working with people, systems and technology. Many professionals are dedicated to the fine art of creating solutions that make a real difference for people – throughout society.

INSPIRING CREATIVITY Denmark has a living tradition for solving problems through cooperation. The public investment in innovation is substantial and involves many different actors. In areas such as welfare, transportation, recycling and public administration, design is applied consistently, with a focus on creating holistic solutions for the individual user. Thus, Danish designers are becoming increasingly competent in dealing with the structural and social aspects of design. In Denmark, design is used in the widest sense of the word – the LEGO bricks are simple, the system allows for endless playful and educational activity. A recurring theme in Danish design is the ability to handle complexity by focusing on the human dimension of the design: the user experience. The government innovation unit Mindlab has achieved remark able results designing more intuitive and efficient interfaces between citizens and the government sector. In healthcare, projects have demonstrated significant effects of using service design methodologies to improve the patient experience and make hospital stays shorter – to the benefit of both the individual patient and hospital management. A crucial part of this approach to societal challenges is working across sectors. Public, private and NGO actors are increasingly coming together to innovate together with the common focus of designing for people. The ability to connect the practical, material aspect of design with an understanding of systems, technology and human behaviour is a powerful feature of Danish design.

It is rare, but sometimes it is possible to design a system so original and consistent that it continues to engage people generation after generation. The fine balance between creative freedom and a clear structure is key. The famous LEGO bricks that keep challenging the imagination with hard, fun play.

The legendary LEGO system enables young and old to combine thousands of build ing elements in countless ways – and just as readily dismantle them again. For many people all over the world, LEGO bricks offers a potential for play that is second to none. The combi nation of a structured system, stringent logic and unlimited creativity encourages chil dren (and grown-ups!) to learn from this unique way of playing.

Child’s play is an ever-changing world, and the company’s product development works systematically with the evolution of play themes based on research into issues such as play habits, family patterns and housing conditions. The open, clear and visionary nature of the LEGO brick, which facilitates playful creativity in anyone, is a prime example of Danish design.

About the LEGO Group True to its motto, “Only the best is good enough”, the LEGO Group has been emphasising the importance of quality since 1932. Concept and product development still takes place primarily at the company’s Billund headquarters (Denmark), but the LEGO Group also has listening posts in Munich, Los Angeles and Tokyo in order to monitor the latest trends. The creative core is made up of 140 designers, who represent some 20 nationalities. Most of the designers have been

With growing demands being placed on children’s capacity to learn and their ability to solve complex problems, the LEGO system is ideal. The system is frequently cited by leading organisations and individuals as a particularly creative toy, which is used in learning contexts by childcare facilities and schools through out the world.

trained in schools of design, art or architecture around the world. The LEGO Group, however, has no formal requirements concerning its designers’ educational background; selection is based on hands-on work and face-to-face interviews. www.LEGO.com

Design Society Denmark | Home quality

AMBITIOUS WELFARE SOLUTIONS

Design Society Denmark |Home quality

A tiny device is a world of sounds Intica hearing aid

Intiga Hearing Aid combines the most recent available technology with a thorough understanding of users’ special needs. With Intiga, Oticon has developed one of the world’s smallest wireless hearing aids aimed specifi cally at first-time users who want a small, discreet device with a natural reproduction of sound. The design of Intiga draws on inspiration from jewellery design, and with a range of customising op tions the device can comply with the use’s individual needs and preferences. www.oticon.com

Living in a modern welfare society, the Danish people expect smart, quality-oriented and empowering solutions. Thus, Denmark is a front-runner in addressing the needs of people who require assistance aids and healthcare services. A range of innovative solutions, ranging from the famous Insulin pen to an innovative wheelchair for children, demonstrate the Danish ambition of offering successful solutions to users with special needs.

Senior citizens’ smart call for assistance

Design to improve everyday life

The personal alarm transmitter

Omhu Canes

R82 Wheelchairs

The growing number of elderly citizens and people suffering from dementia poses a significant challenge for the Danish welfare society of ensuring security and safety for these user groups and their relatives. The personal alarm transmitter – worn as jewellery or as a wristwatch – accommodates this everyday need. The fact that the device appears to be just another everyday object helps people feel less like ‘patients’. It lets users feel safe wherever they go and makes calling for help very easy – for the individual users, their families and the care staff.

Derived from the Danish meaning of the word Omhu, “with great care”, the company Omhu is founded on the belief that life is imperfect and beautiful. The president of the company, Rie Nørregaard, founded Omhu by virtue of necessity: Facing the need to outfit the rapidly changing lives of her aging parents, she eagerly took on the task of finding the bestdesigned aids for living. She founded Omhu and developed the Omhu cane on the principles of universal design: making a cane that is adaptable to as many different people as possible, for as long as possible – and, like the best of us, able to improve with age. Today, Omhu is not just a business; it is a movement with an attitude to how we should handle the circumstances of life.

R82 produces assistive aids for children and youngsters with disabilities. The Cheetah wheelchair is designed to suit the child’s level of activity in a variety of ways, including great functionality, extreme manoeuvrability and adjustability to fit different settings. With the launch of the Cheetah wheelchair - proclaimed to be the “Ferrari among wheelchairs” - R82 won the Danish Design Award. The strength of the Cheetah lies in the built-in speed of the design – a feature that means a great deal to children with impaired motor functions who use a wheelchair. The wheelchair has a priceless wow-effect and has helped give the users a variety of new level of self-confidence.

www.designconcern.com www.sttcondigi.com

Mobility is for everybody

www.r82.com www.3part.dk

www.omhu.com

Improving life for people with diabetes Insulin pen

INTIGA Hearing aid by Oticon. Design: Christian Lockenwitz Introduced in 2012 The personal alarm transmitter By Design Concern Manufacturer STT Condigi Introduced 2007 Omhu canes Designed by Rie Nørregaard Introduced 2009 Cheetah Wheelchair by R82 Designed by 3Part Introduced in 2003 Insulin pen Designed by Designit and Novo

Since its launch, the FlexPen has proved to be a gamechanging product – easing and improving the everyday life of people with diabetes by eliminating the embarrassment and inconvenience that is often associated with the condition. This year, Novo Nordisk has taken new steps to reinvent the pen and bring the product into the 21st century in cooperation with the Danish design company Designit. The recently launched FlexTouch offers a new insulin delivery device for users. The most prominent feature is the built-in-spring injection mechanism, which means that the FlexTouch only requires a light touch to deliver the insulin.

Nordisk The original Flex pen was introduced in 1995.

STYLISH OPTIONS FOR URBAN MOBILITY You might think that the car has long since overtaken the bicycle as the go-to transport option. But in Denmark, and increasingly around the world, the bicycle is racing back into people’s hearts and minds. The Copenhagen bicycle lanes speak for themselves. Danes ride their bicycles everywhere. Being eco-friendly and offering healthy exercise, cycling seems to have it all. Now increasingly coupled with the right infrastructure, the bicycle is the speedy option for modern city dwellers.

For modern cycling enthusiasts, the ideal city is clean. No less energised than the urban environments where we currently thrive but more focused, cleaner and in tune with the natural world. Why not envision a paradigm shift in the way society imagines transportation? Competing directly with cars by constructing bicycles that are so beautiful that they imbue our cities with new meaning, even as they make us healthier, happier and more connected than a car ever could. Simply put,

bicycles – and the trendsetters who ride them – have the ability to make the world a more beautiful place and blend our dreams for the future with the needs of the present. Now that the bicycle is once again a viable transport option, designers have returned to explore its possibilities. These Danish bike models mix novel typologies with new technologies – demonstrating that for stylish 21st-century urban transportation, two wheels can keep pace with four.

Biomega Copenhagen Designed by Skibsted Produced by Biomega www.biomega.dk Schrøder Vintage Designed and produced by Schrøder Cykler www.schroeder-cykler.dk Copenhage Parts Designed and produced by Copenhage Parts www.copenhagenparts.com

trioBike mono Produced and designed by trioBike www.triobike.dk

www.designit.com www.novonordisk.com

Design Society Denmark | Home quality

SMALL SOLUTIONS MEETING BIG CHALLENGES

Design Society Denmark | Home quality

Nobody is perfect

LED there be light

Light to unite people

Nobody Chair

Archetype pendant lamp

Little sun

From used can to needle container Yellowone Needle Cap

The Nobody Chair sets new construction standards for material design while maintaining high standards for a sustainable and environmentally friendly society. The chair is manufactured in one continuous process that requires no additives (e g glue) or any other materials such as screws or reinforcements. The material chosen for the chair, a thermo-pressed polyester fibre mat, not only contributes to a nice indoor climate; by being 100% recyclable it also supports the ambitions of protecting our environment and designing for future generations.

The Archetype suspension lamp embodies the quintessence of the Scandinavian design tradition: formal clarity and functional minimalism. The classic silhouette – the archetype – conceals a revolutionising concept: between the outer body and the inner diffuser, there is a built-in LED and a traditional socket, which allows the device to be mounted onto any lamp mount. It looks like a lamp and shines like a lamp, but at the same time, it is also a future-generation light bulb that offers 60 times more hours of light compared to the classic incandescent bulb.

www.komplot.dk www.hay.dk

www.gmtn.dk www.luceplan.com

Little Sun Lamp is a solar power lamp designed for people with unreliable or no direct access to electricity. The lamp thus caters to one fourth of the world’s population and raises awareness of the problems of the third world. However, the lamp is more than a functional object that brings cheap, healthy and quality light to people. Little Sun is also a driver for microeconomic growth: Selling the lamp at full price in areas of the world with electricity makes it available at a lower price in areas where it is needed. Little Sun thus becomes a resource in providing light for living, learning and earning – it brings people together locally and it unites people globally. www.littlesun.com

It is becoming increasingly clear that the “use it once and throw it away” mentality of contemporary consumption must be addressed. In Denmark, companies are cultivating new consumer patterns by bringing more value and meaning to each product. Simple things such as a low-energy lamp or a chair made from recycled materials might seem like modest initiatives. But high-quality design makes it easier and more attractive to choose the sustainable solution.

A surprising number of disease transmissions are caused by needlestick injuries. Contaminated needles result in millions of infections worldwide every year. It is estimated that 50% of injections administered in developing countries are unsafe, because needles are reused or even resold. When a used syringe needle punctures the skin the result can be devastating – for this reason safe containers for storage of used needles are in desperate demand. The Yellowone Needle Cap design turns an empty soft drink can into a safe depository for dirty needles and prevents the trauma of infection. The yellow cap is moulded of heavy plastic and made to fit securely on most soft drink cans. The cap then secures discarded needles – up to 150 or so, depending on the size of the can – and prevents them from hurting anyone. www.yellowone.dk

Nobody chair by Hay Design by Komplot Design Introduced in 2007/2008 Archetype pendant lamp

DESIGNING FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Taking action on sustainability

Reducing energy consumption

Climate neutral buildings

With the new Magna3, the most energy-efficient circulation pump in its size on the market, Grundfos offers a tangible contribution to the efforts to reduce power consumption. Circulation pumps might seem like unnoticed power guzzlers. But with the Magna3 pump series, Grundfos has designied a pump that offer unprecedented high performance and effect. Additionally, the pump series is characterised by a strong focus on user-friendliness in installation, settings and monitoring, which is facilitated by an interaction link between the pump and, for example, a smartphone. Magna3 underscores Grundfos’ status as a company that is able to translate its focus on innovation, sustainability and design into action.

The thermostats by Danfoss are designed to conveniently fit into any room and bring comfort to the home by optimising the indoor climate. The thermostats are intelligent, programmable and user-friendly. They can be adjusted according to the individual needs of the user and, perhaps most importantly, they present efficient solutions to controlling energy consumption. According to European studies, replacing an old radio thermostat with an electronic living thermostat from Danfoss can reduce the energy consumption for heating purposes by 23%.

The Velux Model Home Project is a vision for climateneutral buildings with a high degree of liveability. It is part of the Velux strategy to take an active part in developing sustainable buildings – and buildings of the future. In the Model Home 2020 the total energy consumption is minimised and covered by renewable CO2-neutral energy generated by the building itself. After about 30 years, the surplus energy generated by the home will be equivalent to the energy that went into producing the materials used to build the house. A key parameter in the energy design is fenestration; positioned to cater for energy technology and visual appeal, the windows optimise light, air and heat gain.

MAGNA3 circulation pump

DANFOSS thermostat

www.danfoss.com

www.velux.com www.grundfos.com

With ambitious strategies for a low-carbon future, Denmark has succeeded in adopting a variety of sustainable solutions. That has helped to put the country at the forefront of renewable energy policy development, technology research and innovation. A range of Danish products respond to the global scarcity in energy resources based on increased user-oriented functionality.

“By 2050, our need for electricity will be three times the consumption level of electricity of today.”

MAGNA 3 by Grundfos. Chief designer: Morten Sofussen Introduced in 2012 Thermostat by Danfoss

By Led Luceplan / Goodmorning

Design by Danfoss

Technology

Introduced in 2012

Introduced in 2011 Modelhome by Velux Little Sun

Design by Velux

By artist Olafur Eliasson and

Introduced in 2009

engineer Frederik Ottesen Introduced in 2012 Yellowone Needle Cap Designed by Hân Pham Introduced in 2005

VELUX Model Home 2020

Design Society Denmark | Intelligent beauty

BANG & OLUFSEN

INTELLIGENT BEAUTY CLEAR-CUT NORDIC AESTHETICSª The desire for achieving the true balance between extraordinary quality and unadorned style is a recurring theme in Danish design. In both home design and fashion, Denmark has a tradition for simplification and for achieving beauty in a minimalist yet poetic expression. The honest aesthetics of this Nordic spirit is found in a range of contemporary products from Denmark.

In Denmark, people spend a great deal of time at home and with friends. Therefore the objects in our home and our personal appearance play an important role. This focus on the interactions between people and objects may be one of the reasons for the international success of Danish Design. Certainly, it has formed the basis for a range of successful global brands. In the field of audio-visual products, Bang & Olufsen represents the forefront of technical skills combined with a celebrated passion for refining the user interface and design. As in many other Danish design products, great technology is combined with a highly refined, aesthetic finish. Another theme is the link between artistic finish and personal quality. Georg Jensen’s products, from silverware to jewellery and home products, capture a balance between simplicity and poetic ornamentation. Though highly refined, it is fit for everyday use.

SOUND MATTERS

“At Bang & Olufsen we believe acoustics with depth and authenticity should hit you in just the right way. That is the reason why we make loudspeakers that gives you the perfect window into a world of sound.” Geoff Martin, tone master at Bang & Olufsen

The ambition to democratise beauty is present in a range of Danish products: Danish fashion is blooming, making Copenhagen Northern Europe’s hub for the clothing industry with a strong focus on accessibility and openness. The jewellery from PANDORA offers quality at an affordable price and can be combined to fit the wearer’s personal expression. Within watch and jewellery production, SKAGEN DENMARK represents a focus on simple, Nordic beauty. LINDBERG designs and produces glasses that mediate between function and fashion. It is all about making high-quality products accessible for the many.

Sound and music have a direct impact on our mood. In Denmark, sound design is an advanced profession, investigating how melodies, rhythms and vibrations move through the air and, in turn, move people. The Danish pioneer in sound design Bang & Olufsen demonstrates perfected techniques to reproduce original audio experiences.

A sensory experience

About Bang & Olufsen

Bang & Olufsen is known as an icon of performance and design excellence within audio and video solutions for the home. As a company, they aspire to enable the audience to discover the captivating nature of sound – not only through hearing but through a full sensory experience. The ambition at the Design Society Denmark exhibition is to take the audience on a journey through sound. The inner performance and the outer beauty merge, inviting people to see, feel, hear and interact with the showpieces.

Bang & Olufsen is an international

Remaining at the forefront of home technology, Bang & Olufsen has recently extended its comprehensive experience with integrated audio and video solutions for the home to other areas such as the hospitality and automotive industries. The current product range epitomises seamless media experiences in the home as well as in the car and on the move.

icon of performance and design excellence with a long-standing tradition for craftsmanship. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen founded Bang & Olufsen in 1925 in Struer, Denmark. The company continues to have a strong commitment to research and development. www.bang-olufsen.com

Design Society Denmark | Intelligent beauty

PANDORA

GEORG JENSEN

DESIGN ENHANCING FOR DAILY INDIVIDUALITY RITUALS Combining centuries-old craftsmanship with modern thinking and design, Danish jewellery company PANDORA has provided women around the world with a universe of modern, genuine and hand-finished jewellery at affordable prices since 1982. The company’s success has been propelled by a concept that allows women to combine jewellery elements to express their individual style.

PANDORA’s Create and Combine concept inspires women to express their personality. The feminine jewellery universe is open for anyone to create and combine, choosing from a wealth of charms, bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants and watches. In alignment with the Danish tradition for making beauty available for the many, Pandora’s jewellery offers high quality at affordable prices.

About PANDORA PANDORA designs, manufactures and markets modern hand-finished jewellery made from genuine materials at affordable prices. PANDORA jewellery is sold in more than 65 countries on six continents through approximately 10,000 points of sale, including more than 800 concept stores. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, PANDORA employs over 6,000 people worldwide and is publicly listed on the

Every facet and feature of PANDORA’s jewellery is carefully considered before it leaves the hands of their experienced goldsmiths. Preferred materials include sterling silver, 14k and 18k gold and carefully selected precious and semi-precious stones and cultured pearls. PANDORA offers more than 1,000 different designs, more than 700 of them related to charms and charm bracelets. “In 2011, PANDORA sold 50 million pieces of jewellery. That is more than one piece every second.”

Rituals are an essential part of everyday life. That is why the objects in our home and on our body play such an important role. Georg Jensen embodies integrity and authenticity with their high-quality products, inspired by Nordic light, fresh air and clean water.

NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen stock exchange in Denmark. www.pandoragroup.com

A story of quality craftsmanship

Delight in Nature

About Georg Jensen

With a history that spans more than 100 years, Georg Jensen represents quality craftsmanship and timeless design with lifestyle products ranging from hollowware to watches, jewellery and home products. The philosophy of Georg Jensen himself was to create democratic designs possessing both functionality and beauty. His artisanal skill and artistic talent combined with his continuous ability to identify and support design talent were the foundation on which he built the Georg Jensen firm.

Throughout the firm’s 108-year-long history, Georg Jensen has always embraced the art of the various eras, beginning with the Art Nouveau lines that characterised the early examples of the silversmith’s own work. With profound respect for the classic lines of that time, the brand has always succeeded in injecting the design with a distinctive vigour that continues to resonate today. Serene flowing forms are enriched by exquisitely sculpted ornamentation, and stylised bouquets of flowers and lush bunches of grapes reflect a sensual delight in nature. Today, Georg Jensen aims to leverage the ideas and principles of this strong heritage and translate them into the design of the present day.

Founded in Denmark in 1904, Georg Jensen now has over 100 stores in 12 countries. Named after its founder, a silversmith creating exclusive silver hollowware and jewellery, the Georg Jensen firm now applies its unique design, superior craftsmanship and outstanding sense of quality to a wide range of gold, silver, platinum and diamond jewellery, watches, cutlery and hollowware as well as design items for the home and office. Its pure, elegant, Danish design style is favoured by millions around the world and is considered one of Denmark’s most recognised brands. www.georgjensen.com

Design Society Denmark | Intelligent beauty

SKAGEN DENMARK

LINDBERG

TIMELESS DESIGN remain: ultra-slim, premium quality materials, minimalist and simple. Less is more. In addition to the minimalist philosophy, it has also been a high priority to ensure that the global consumer could engage with the brand from an economic perspective. Normally, exclusive design is very expensive, but for SKAGEN DENMARK the concept of affordable luxury is a cornerstone in the brand’s success.

Timeless design may seem like a contra diction in terms when it comes to watches. Nevertheless, functional and democratic design that lasts for generations is a strong feature in SKAGEN DENMARK’s watches. Skagen is not just a product, it is also a Danish town: full of life, ever changing and a constant source of inspiration.

For three consecutive years (2010-2012), SKAGEN DENMARK has won the prestigious ‘Red Dot Design Award’.

About SKAGEN DENMARK SKAGEN DENMARK is owned by Fossil. Fossil is a global design, marketing and distribution company specialising in consumer fashion and design accessories. The corporate activities stretch to 120 countries worldwide through 22 compa-

SEE THE DIFFERENCE The Scandinavian design tradition is characterised by a discreet, classic elegance and carefully engineered simplicity – also when it comes to glasses. LINDBERG has a distinctive approach to eyewear production. The focus is on finding the ultimate balance between function and fashion. LINDBERG has its own way of making glasses – all the way from design, materials and manufacture to sales, distribution and service. The frame design is a statement about aesthetics, technical innovation and impeccable craftsmanship. The result of the company’s ambitious design approach is ultralightweight frames, which can be customised to fit any face with maximum comfort.

ny-owned foreign sales subsidiaries

For centuries, artists and writers have travelled to Denmark’s northern-most point, Skagen, to be inspired by the unique atmosphere in this small fishing town. At the coastline, where two seas meet, the SKAGEN DENMARK brand and logo were born in 1989, and it continues to carry the name and design inspiration to the global design community. Timeless aesthetics is an essential aspect of the design, and the signature features

and a network of approximately 60 independent distributors. The company also distributes its products in over 390 company-owned and operated retail stores and through international e-commerce websites. www.skagen.com

isting machinery. Several international design awards through the years bear witness to the success of LINDBERGs efforts – so far, the trophy cabinet contains 58 design awards, seven of them awarded in 2012.

About LINDBERG LINDBERG was founded in the early 1980s by optometrist Poul-Jørn Lindberg, who in search of a comfortable, light frame for himself failed to find anything satisfying in his own optical store. He therefore designed the celebrated LINDBERG Air Titanium rimless glasses. In 2004, LINDBERG established a representative office in Shanghai. Since then, the company has grown rapidly on the Chinese market and its glass-

LINDBERG insists on controlling every detail, every process, every material and every surface. The company does everything themselves – including inventing new processes and designs, re-engineering key components and materials and improving ex-

es are now available in the optical stores in all major cities. LINDBERG is currently distributed to 134 countries around the world. www.lindberg.com

Design Society Denmark | Intelligent beauty

DEMOCRATIC FASHION

Danish fashion has witnessed a revolutionising development in the past decade: A range of new, remarkable names have emerged from the Danish fashion scene to enter the international world of fashion, the Danish fashion and clothing industry is booming, and Copenhagen has become the fashion hub of Northern Europe. Danish fashion resonates with both Danish society and the global fashion sensibility.

www.danishfashioninstitute.dk

1. Bruuns Bazar

2. By Malene Birger

3. David Andersen

Bruuns Bazar opened in 1994 and quickly became one of the pioneers in the Scandinavian fashion scene, offering accessible and iconic designs to customers in Denmark and across the world. Today, Bruuns Bazar presents iconic fashion, classic and sexy with a grown-up sensibility that is both streamlined and essential.

By Malene Birger is a Danish designer brand that offers affordable luxury to a growing base of modern-minded consumers worldwide. Over the last ten years, By Malene Birger has created distinctive fashion designs that that bring artistic angles to contemporary classics. BY MALENE BIRGER is the recipient of numerous design awards and accolades, including “Brand of the Year” at the Danish Fashion Awards 2011.

David Andersen is a Danish designer who distinguishes himself with designs that have a raw and unique expression. He designs ready-to-wear collections for everyday use as well some couture collections. His designs are experimental with distinct asymmetric cuts and different fabrics, mostly pure materials, and always with an eye for details.

www.bruunsbazaar.dk

designerdavidandersen.com

www.bymalenebirger.com

Though characterised by a rich variety of expressions, certain hallmarks can be discerned in Danish fashion: There is a certain boldness and a will to experiment, a well-founded knowledge of materials and interest in new fabrics and a growing will to find ways to make fashion and clothes production more sustainable. Copenhagen Fashion Week is the scene where all this is showcased, with 2600 brands exhibiting at the trade fairs, hundreds of events, and more than 45 runway shows each season.

4. Vibskov

5. Kopenhagen Fur

6. Mads Nørgaard

The Danish design brand Vibskov is internationally acknowledged for its spectacular cutting-edge designs. Vibskov is most commonly associated with a multitude of twisted yet tantalising universes created for the individual collections. As a fashion designer, Henrik Vibskov has produced more than 20 men’s (and recently also women’s) collections, and he is currently the only Scandinavian designer on the official show schedule of Paris Men’s Fashion Week.

Kopenhagen Fur has established itself as an exclusive, well-known luxury brand beyond Denmark’s borders, and it is the largest fur auction house in the world. Decades of experience and the high volume of fur skins have led to Kopenhagen Fur’s reputation as an esteemed auction house capable of the fine grading and labelling system that ensures the ultimate level of quality.

Mads Nørgaard has become an institution and an icon in Danish culture and fashion. Recently, “Mads NørgaardCopenhagen” launched its first collection of 100% organic underwear for men as well as a colourful collection for kids. A recurring theme in Mads Nørgaards work is a goal of pursuing a straightforward, classic, yet explorative approach to fashion. www.madsnorgaard.dk

www.kopenhagenfur.com

www.henrikvibskov.com

7. Stine Goya

8. Trash-Couture

9. Vero Moda

Stine Goya was founded in 2006, and today the brand is internationally acclaimed for its seasonal collections and fashion shows. With vibrant colours, design prints and sculpturally shaped pieces, Stine Goya sets the mood of her collections. Creating expressive garments and accessories, Stine Goya combines special features and details to create feminine and beautiful fashion that appeals to women seeking authenticity and individuality.

Trash-Couture is known for its couture-to-go. In accordance with their ecological principles, the brand only uses quality materials such as natural silks, cotton, recycled vintage lace and recycled couture fabrics – hence the name, Trash-Couture. The collections are hand-coloured, sculpted and sewn at the Trash-Couture boutique in Denmark, which reduces landfill waste, minimises over-production and ensures full control with working conditions and rights.

Vero Moda is a Danish retail chain with more than 800 shops around the world. The clothes that are sold in Vero Moda shops are produced by the fashion brand Bestseller, a renowned brand that anticipates trends in design and responds to customer experiences. The innovative pop-up shops and cooperation with international bloggers proves VERO MODA’s ability to be in close communication with its audience.

www.stinegoya.com www.trash-couture.com

www.veromoda.com

Design Society Denmark | Urban innovation

Under the name Superkilen (The Super Wedge) a team headed by BIG Architects has created a multicultural space aimed at improving opportunities for city life in Nørrebro, Copenhagen. Project team: BIG Architects, Topotek 1, Superflex, Lemming & Eriksson, Help Kommunikation

URBAN INNOVATION DESIGNING SUSTAINABLE CITIES Designing sustainable and cohesive cities is key to solving contemporary social and environmental challenges. The exhibition Copenhagen Solutions showcases Copenhagen’s strategies for creating a smarter and more liveable city. The project Compact Living explores new ways of dealing with urban density. The common agenda is learning from each other in order to improve cities and city life.

In the past decade, a variety of initiatives have been launched in Copenhagen that place sustainability and human qualities at the centre of urban planning. The exhibition Copenhagen Solutions illustrates how the City of Copenhagen, by means of great architecture and other initiatives, improves the overall quality of urban life – whether through initiatives aimed at promoting public transport and biking or policy-making aimed at improving water quality and energy efficiency. Copenhagen is striving to become the first CO2-neutral capital in the world and is eager to share ideas and strategies. The ambition of the exhibition is to engage cities and citizens around the world in a constructive dialogue about urban leadership.

Learning from each other A remarkable global trend is the growing number of people living in cities. New ways of living together and handling density are thus moving up on the agenda. From multifunctional furniture to floating cities – the exhibition Compact Living addresses density on small and large scales. It showcases Danish design tailored for Hong Kong and vice versa. Students from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Design and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Design explore design solutions for smarter urban living. The focus is on generating new visions for city life and to learn from each other through cross-cultural cooperation.

Design Society Denmark | Urban innovation

COMPACT LIVING

COPENHAGEN SOLUTIONS From multifunctional furniture to floating cities – the exhibi tion Compact Living address es density in small and large scales. It showcases Danish design tailored for Hong Kong, and vice versa. The Danish students present design solu tions that seek to adapt Dan ish notions of homeliness and functionality to the compact living space of a Hong Kong pencil tower. The students from Hong Kong present a model for compact living on water in a new floating city for Copenhagen.

A DESIGN EXCHANGE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND DENMARK Can the Danish concept of homeliness be exported? And what can we learn about density of habitation from Hong Kong? The way people live in Hong Kong and Denmark is very different, but the two contexts may still inspire one another. Students from The Royal Danish Academy, School of Design and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, School of Design work together to explore design solutions for compact living.

As part of the design process, the students have done re search on housing, design and living conditions in Denmark and Hong Kong and ex changed ideas and informa tion through Skype and Face book. In the BODW exhibition the students work side by side to refine their models and design solutions.

About the Royal Danish Academy, School of Design

About the Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Royal Danish Academy of Fine

The Hong Kong Polytechnic Univer-

Arts – The School of Design com

sity, School of Design is at the fore-

bines a strong tradition for creati

front of applying Asian innovation

vity, design and quality craftsman

to global opportunities. The school

ship with the post-industrial focus

is committed to sustaining excel-

on flexible and research-based

lence in design education, practice,

qualifications. For more than 135

consulting and research, harnessing

years, The School of Design has

the legacy and dynamism of Asian

contributed to the development of

cultures in creating solutions for

Danish design with an international

human needs and creating strategic

reach. The school is founded on the

models for products, brands and

Nordic design tradition, where

systems in local and global markets.

functionality and aesthetics go hand in hand with a sense for business. www.dkds.dk

www.polyu.edu.hk

How do we create green growth while improving urban living? The ambition of answering this question is the key driver in the development of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. The exhibition Copenhagen Solutions shows how the City of Copenhagen improves the quality of urban life through a variety of initiatives – from bicycle-friendly urban planning to energy handling and urban renewal programmes.

Copenhagen is recognised around the world for its green profile as well as its leadership within the field of integrated urban solutions. A cluster of Danish and international planners, architects, engineers, manufacturers, contractors, investors and the city council has made Copenhagen a global leader within the development of systemic sustainable urban solutions that are applicable in cities around the world. For decades, these solutions have promoted a high degree of liveability, healthy environments and general economic prosperity in this Scandinavian capital.

management and strategic planning has promoted a retrofitting of the existing city. Simultaneously, Copenhagen is developing new areas out side the city with a focus on innovative, sustainable systems and infrastructure. One noteworthy example is the development of Nordhavn (North Harbour), the biggest current urban development in Scandinavia. The area is scheduled to become a labo ratory for new green solu tions for the production of energy, reductions in energy consumption and smart infra structure. With the exhibition Copen hagen Solutions, Copenhagen seeks to strengthen the inter national dialogue about smart planning targeted at improv ing social, economical and environmental sustainability.

About “Copenhagen Solutions” The Copenhagen Solutions exhibi tion is developed by The Danish

A central element is the revitalisation of run-down housing areas with an emphasis on inclusion and the social aspects of urban renewal. Within a holistic framework that accentuates both physical and social urban qualities, a strong emphasis on urban

Architecture Centre for Copenhagen Solutions – a public-private partner ship between the City of Copenha gen and Realdania, a strategic foun dation created with the objective of initiating and supporting projects that improve the built environment. www.dac.dk

Design Society Denmark | Design partners & creators

DESIGN PARTNERS & CREATORS

Danish design and architecture firms have a distinctly human-centred approach whether it is about creating aesthetic and functional products or developing innovative solutions and systems. A deep understanding of challenges and potentials is the foundation for innovative design solutions.

Design as a driver for innovation The Danish designers and architects of today are leaning on an impressive legacy of unique furniture design, lighting design and lifestyle products. The common focus is on quality products and solutions based on functionality and simplicity, coupled with an empathetic and democratic approach that reflects a Scandinavian lifestyle. In recent years, however, Danish design has come to mean more than great form and functionality. Design is also an instrument in problem-solving and innovation processes in companies, organisations and public administration.

A holistic design approach Danish design puts a high priority on initial analysis and idea generation. At the core of this approach is a firm belief that a holistic understanding of the design challenge is key to developing genuinely value-creating solutions. Effort is put into visualising concepts to promote both idea development and efficient implementation. Prototypes and models are often built at an early stage in order to test what really works – frequently in cooperation with users. A persistent priority is to keep the larger context of the design in mind. Danish design and architecture companies increasingly engage in partnerships with Asian companies. Projects include framing brands, designing fonts, developing intelligent market strategies, creating architecture and forming beautiful products.

INNONET LIFESTYLE

ANTROPOLOGERNE

DESIGNIT

INNOVATION BASED ON INSIGHT

THE POWER OF WHY

MATCHMAKING FOR INNOVATION

The Scandinavian design tradition is rooted in the concept that knowledge about culture and human behaviour is the crucial basis of efficient solutions or products. Societal change and innovation ultimately come from understanding the users. The company Antropologerne (“The Anthropologists”) works with users in an explorative, strategic and hands-on approach in order to design products and services that work in real life.

Denmark is a society characterised by seemingly endless discussions. Everything is up for debate, which makes “why” one of the most commonly asked questions. As Europe’s biggest strategic design consultancy, much of Designit’s success is founded on exactly that: the Power of Why. It seems that in the design of successful products and services, “why” is a good place to start.

Being a small country, Denmark has a grounded tradition for international partnerships. That is also the case in the field of fashion and clothing, where Danish designers have a strong profile as innovators. Innonet Lifestyle – Interior & Clothing supports the interior and clothing industries in boosting productivity, creativity and the exchange of knowledge. Matchmaking is a key element.

Antropologerne helps clients understand needs, barriers and possibilities in people’s everyday life. A core competence is exploring how a product or a service is used and perceived and testing solutions in real-life contexts to discover how designs could be improved.

About Antropologerne Antropologerne is a consultancy firm based in Copenhagen, Denmark with ten design and research partners all over the world. The staff includes both anthropologists and designers. Antropologerne works with and for people who are engaged in product innovation,

Antropologerne’s work is based on a combination of applied anthropology and design methods and draws on the historic Nordic tradition of participatory design. This includes a democratic involvement of users and other stakeholders – across hierarchical boundaries – in the innovation process. Antropologerne includes both people experts and culture experts and is engaged in projects around the world, including in Hong Kong.

service design and societal change. www.antropologerne.com

Designit’s recent work in China spans from designing refrigerators to designing a culture of innovation. This indicates both the breadth of the company’s capacity and the extent to which Danish design can contribute to continued growth and development in China. The refrigerators were designed for Hisense, and prior to the actual design process Designit asked a lot of “whys”, as the team conducted extensive research into the users’ habits, preferences and lifestyles. The culture of innovation was designed for Harman International, the leading highend acoustics manufacturer, when the company decided to move all its product activities to Shenzhen. Three Designits stayed with the company for 18 months to help develop a strong culture of innovation. From its contact office in Shanghai, Designit offers Chinese clients access to both a full range of design skills and a deep understanding of the diversity of the European market, while enjoying the amazing and rapid developments in China from frontrow seats.

About Designit Designit is Europe’s largest strategic design consultancy with 12 offices in 9 countries and 280 employees. The company designs products, services and experiences for a wide range of international clients across industries. The aim is to create strong and sustainable business value through design. www.designit.com

Innonet Lifestyle – Interior & Clothing is an innovation network under the Danish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education. The goal is to promote growth and innovation in the interior and clothing sectors and the creative industries by identifying, communicating and acting as a repository for new knowledge and by mediating between businesses and research and knowledge institutions.

About Innonet Lifestyle

With the Hong Kong initiative, Innonet Lifestyle’s collaborations reach beyond its well-established networks to address new partners in new markets through a promotion of competences, matchmaking and network. The many interesting partners and dynamic business environment in Hong Kong combined with the Danish design culture holds great potential for productive partnerships.

www.innonetlifestyle.com

Innonet Lifestyle works with four key areas: Innovation & Design, Smart Materials, Future Lifestyle, and Clothing/Fashion. 250+ companies participate in Innonets short or long-term activities. 800+ companies participate in conferences and seminars. 1200+ companies receive Innonets newsletter. Innonet has 60+ dialogue companies.

“This process has been an eye-opener for our company. We have seen the processes you have to go through to create innovation, and that has initiated an innovation process in our company.” Jan Christensen, brand manager, H. Utoft A/S, participant in Match Innovation Cup, a project under Innonet Lifestyle – Interior & Clothing.

Design Society Denmark | Design partners & creators

PREVAS

ROSAN BOSCH STUDIO

SEIDENFADEN DESIGN COPENHAGEN

SCHMIDT HAMMER LASSEN ARCHITECTS

ELECTRONIC INTELLIGENCE IN DESIGN

DESIGN AS A TOOL FOR CHANGE

DESIGN IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY

GIVE MORE

FINDING DANISH DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE COMPANIES

Industry, small companies and multinational exporters all face major challenges. In order to survive and grow, companies must continually develop innovative products as well as more intelligent production methods and processes. Prevas masters new technologies within advanced electronics and software systems. This knowledge is key in developing truly value-creating products, concepts and services.

The spaces we inhabit have a huge impact on our actions, but often we take the space around us for granted. Rethinking our spatial surroundings can make a real difference in the way people act and interact. Rosan Bosch Studio has become widely renowned for its playful and unconventional design solutions, which enhance creativity and collaboration.

The world is changing rapidly, and it is essential to adapt to keep producing good, relevant and competitive design products. The ability to design in different cultural contexts is becoming increasingly important. Seidenfaden Design Copenhagen has grounded experience with linking Danish design and Asian companies and a deep understanding of users around the world.

Danish architects have a long tradition of being socially responsible while designing buildings that meet the challenges of modern society. Schmidt hammer lassen architects designs buildings that give more and add value to architecture to create positive change for people, places, and communities. Architecture is not a goal in itself – architecture is a driver of change.

Danish Design Association The Danish Design Association (DDA) works to strengthen collaboration between Danish design companies and global companies for mutual benefit. DDA was founded in 2007 and now represents more than 100 design companies. DDA supports the development, professionalisation and internationali sation of Danish design companies – for the benefit of the design industry

Prevas creates design and innovation for growth with a special focus on bridging software, design and business. The company is a leading specialist in the areas of electronics software and mechanics for embedded systems. Prevas works with customers around the world and has a clear focus on combining the best of Danish and Nordic innovation with an international understanding. Currently, a range of projects is being initiated in Hong Kong and Asia.

“Every existing physical product can be improved or innovated to a new level of functionality and user-friendliness by adding electronics and intelligence to it. If you don’t, somebody else will.”

About Prevas Since 1985, the company’s approximately 600 engineers have developed more than 4,000 products, many of which have helped Prevas’ customers become global leaders in their respective areas. Prevas has contributed to higher levels of productivity, quality and profitability for their clients. www.prevas.com

Can a slide in the office boost the employees’ creativity? According to Rosan Bosch, founder of the design agency Rosan Bosch Studio, the an swer is yes. When designing LEGO’s development depart ment, she installed a slide to connect two floors at the office in order to let the fun, playfulness and creativity of the children’s fantasy world reflect in the physical envi ronment.

About Rosan Bosch Studio Rosan Bosch Studio is a Copenha gen-based interdisciplinary design agency that works in the cross-field of art, design and architecture. The studio has developed design and interior solutions for companies and institutions such as LEGO, the Uni versity of Copenhagen, the Danish Government and the Swedish school organisation Vittra. www.rosanbosch.com

Rosan Bosch Studio specia lises in developing design solutions that are not only functional, but which are also capable of inspiring people to develop new ways of think ing, working and interacting with each other. Whether designing a work place, the interior of a school or a public library, the aim is to create environments that inspire and engage the peo ple who work, study or pass through on a daily basis. In the works of Rosan Bosch Studio, design is used as a tool that can initiate change from within.

Seidenfaden Design Copenhagen offers a ‘one-stop shopping’ solution. The company handles all the tasks in the design process – from strategy and design to final delivered products. True to the Danish design philosophy, the combination of aesthetic, usability and functional aspects is essential to Seidenfaden Design Copenhagen – whether in handling projects for high-end lifestyle brands or solving needs in consumers’ everyday life. The overall flexibility and ability to adapt to the specific needs of the clients and assignments are essential qualities for Seidenfaden Design Copenhagen. These qualities have also been important in the more than ten years that the company has had professional partnerships with Chinese manufacturers. Currently, Seidenfaden Design Copenhagen aims to strengthen this cultural bond by bringing design solutions to China – with mutual benefits as the main goal.

About Seidenfaden Design Copenhagen Seidenfaden Design Copenhagen specialises in providing design and manufacturing solutions to lifestyle brands around the world. With expertise in everything from strategy and concept development to product, graphic and packaging design and production, Seidenfaden Design Copenhagen has a strong and professional presence in the international design industry. www.seidenfaden.dk

scmidt hammer lassen architects is deeply rooted in the Scandinavian architectural traditions based on democracy, welfare, aesthetics, light, sustainability and social responsibility. The architectural approach is that architecture should be closely integrated with its surroundings, with close consideration of its functions and social context – a building should revolve around people and not merely be an architectural shape.

About schmidt hammer lassen achitects

and the development of great products, solutions, and systems. www.danishdesignassociation.com

With more than 25 years of experience, schmidt hammer lassen architects is one of Scandinavia’s most recognised award-winning architectural practices and com-

The Danish Association of Architectural Firms

mitted to innovative and sustain-

Established in 1960, the Danish Associa-

able design. Working out of

tion of Architectural Firms (DANSKE

studios located in Aarhus, Copen-

ARK) is the Danish association of private

hagen, London and Shanghai, the

firms of consulting architects. DANSKE

practice provides skilled architec-

ARKs objective is to represent the com-

tural services all over the world

mercial interests of practising architects

with a distinguished track record

and, in its capacity as an impartial con-

as designers of international high-

sultant to building clients, strengthen the

profile architecture.

position, quality level and professionalism of its member firms.

www.shl.dk www.danskeark.dk

Design Society Denmark | Links

LINKS TO DESIGN SOCIETY DENMARK

3PART http://3part.dk

Kopenhagen Fur www.kopenhagenfur.com

Antropologerne www.antropologerne.com

Lange Production

Bang & Olufsen www.bang-olufsen.com

LEGO www.lego.com

Biomega www.biomega.dk

Lightyears www.lightyears.dk

Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers www.bruun-rasmussen.dk

LINDBERG www.Lindberg.com

Bruuns Bazar www.bruunsbazaar.dk

Little Sun

By Malene Birger

LOOP Associates www.loopassociates.com

www.bymalenebirger.com

www.langeproduction.dk

www.littlesun.com

Carl Hansen & Son www.carlhansen.com

Luceplan www.luceplan.com

Confederation of Danish Industry www.di.dk

Mads Nørgaard www.madsnorgaard.dk

Copenhagen Parts www.copenhagenparts.com

Ministry of Business And Growth Denmark www.evm.dk

Danfoss www.danfoss.com

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark um.dk/en

Danish Architecture Centre www.dac.dk

Novo Nordisk www.novonordisk.com

Danish Business Authority www.erhvervsstyrelsen.dk

Omhu www.omhu.com

Danish Design and Architecture Initiative www.ddai.dk

Oticon www.oticon.dk/

Danish Design Association www.danishdesignassociation.com

PANDORA www.Pandoragroup.com

Danish Design Centre www.ddc.dk

Prevas www.prevas.com

Danish Fashion Institute www.danishfashioninstitute.dk

R82 www.r82.com

David Andersen www.designerdavidandersen.com

Republic of Fritz Hansen www.fritzhansen.com

Design Concern www.designconcern.com

Rosan Bosch Studio www.rosanbosch.com

Design Museum Denmark http://designmuseum.dk/en

schmidt hammer lassen www.shl.dk/

Designit www.designit.com

Schrøder Cykler www.schroeder-cykler.dk

Georg Jensen www.georgjensen.com

Seidenfaden Design Copenhagen www.seidenfaden.dk

Goodmorning Technology www.gmtn.dk

SKAGEN DENMARK www.skagen.com

Grundfos www.grundfos.com

Stine Goya www.stinegoya.com

Han Pham / YellowOne Needle www.yellowone.dk

STT Condigi www.sttcondigi.com

Henrik Vibskov www.henrikvibskov.com

The Royal Danish Academy, School of Design www.karch.dk/uk

INDEX: Design To Improve Life® www.designtoimprovelife.dk

Trash-Couture www.trash-couture.com

Innonnet Lifestyle www.innonetlifestyle.com

UiWE www.uiwe.dk

Innovation Centre Denmark, Hong Kong www.icdk.um.dk

VELUX www.velux.com

Komplot design www.komplot.dk

Vero Moda www.veromoda.com

DESIGN SOCIETY DENMARK

DANISH EVENTS DURING HONG KONG BUSINESS OF DESIGN WEEK Design Society Denmark 6-8 December

Convention Center, Hall 3 Booth 3DCO9

Design Society Denmark is your moment* 6-8 December 2pm-5pm Speakers corner in the Design Society Denmark exhibition

INDEX: Award 2011 Exhibition 7-15 December

The Urban Council Centenary Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon

Danish fashion on World’s Longest Catwalk 9 December 2pm-4pm Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront Promenade, Avenue of the Stars

Keep yourself posted

Officiel website: www.ddc.dk/hkbodw12 Follow us on facebook: www.facebook.com/DesignSocietyDenmark

DDAI - The Danish Design & Architecture Initiative

DDAI promotes the special Danish approach to Design & Architecture. DDAI is a cooperation between the Danish government, professional organizations within design, architecture and fashion – and a large number of Danish companies, architects and designers. The purpose of DDAI is to promote Danish design and architecture around the World and to create new connections and business opportunities. We encourage everyone with an interest in design and architecture to contact us: let’s learn from each other. For more info, visit: www.danishdesignarchitecture.com