DESIGNING NORWAY

As a small country, Norway understands the value of building “Design Bridges” to the international environment, and whether it be graphic, interior, furniture, clothes fashion, industrial design, cyber-design – or any creative combinations of these – Norwegian design is being recognized far beyond the country’s borders.

Coming on Strong
Norwegian design success lies in individuality supported by tradition, excellent education, and a solid national support network, with the use of Universal Design (Inclusive Design) fast becoming an increasingly important part of both esthetics, functionality, – and good sound business. Design here in Norway bears the mark of quality, endurance and innovation, and must be experienced:

Furniture and Interior Design – Norwegian design reflects its stunning nature, and the furniture industry provides an excellent example of this synergy. On the website Inside Norway, you will find examples of the best Norwegian design from the 1950's to today’s contemporary furniture design, as well as more about the furniture industry here.

Clothes and Jewelry – Coming on strong and gaining an international foothold with successes that include Moods of Norway and others, Norwegian fashion is supported strongly by such organizations as the Norwegian Fashion Institute, working creatively to develop strong brands, products and services. Other fashion related activities here include the Oslo Fashion Week, held twice each year.

Visual Communication – The saying goes that “an image says more than a thousand words” and this could not be more true here in Norway where graphic designers, illustrators, animators, cartoonists and interactive designers are consistently finding new creative ways to communicate. The Norwegian Organization for Visual Communication (Grafill) is the central member organization in this creative branch.

Industrial Design - Design is much more than esthetics. It is combining those esthetics with better functionality and understanding. Whether it be cutlery with a more balanced grip, election equipment that allows all better understanding and accessibility, an electric car as a mobile information interface or simply improved toothbrush packaging, Norwegian industrial design breaks down barriers.

The Norwegian Design Council
Concrete criteria established by the Norwegian Design Council functions as guidance for the design community here. The Norwegian Design Council (NDC) promotes the use of design as a strategic tool for innovation, in order to achieve greater creation of value in Norwegian trade and industry with the goal of increasing Norwegian business´ understanding, knowledge and use of design.

Promotional activities include exhibitions such as “100% Norway” (see related article), an annual tradition that proclaims the fact that the success of Norwegian design is no secret. The event provides both young designers and established companies the chance to show their creations to a wide audience. The seventh annual 100% Norway took place in London in September 2010, and was again well received by an international audience.

Whether established designers or part of the next wave of creative young students, the NDC lays the foundation for design to esthetics, functionality, as well as the skills necessary to communicate design – and run a business in an increasingly interactive global environment. For more information about the NDC and the world of Norwegian Design, see the English website of the Norwegian Design Council.