Week 5- Nina Huang

Between 1930-1970, Denmark elevated its national aesthetic status by changing the structure of Danish furniture industry. The country first had stories that made the consumers understand the furniture. Then they had networks from individuals and organizations who promoted the stories to other countries (Hansen, 449). This showed that the “Danish modern furniture was able to ‘sell itself’” due to the social networks and the “beauty, simplicity, and functionality” of the furniture (451-452). In the past, many cabinetmakers and architectures used the Klint scientific model to build their furniture, but it did not become successful overseas. Instead, the younger designers “used a freer, more expressive approach to making furniture” so that the Danish modern furniture would become successful (461). Besides that, advertisements and magazines played a role in spreading the Danish furniture in their home country and to other countries.  Even though some people still wanted traditional furniture, the new furniture designs appealed to the middle-class people who wanted a new modern lifestyle. This shows that the Danish furniture industry have changed their furniture from traditional to more modern to appeal to the present times. Today, Denmark is known for their furniture in large chain stores like IKEA and HABITAT.

The lessons I can draw from this when I think about my group project is that we can make something, such as a website or an app, that can be simple and functional. Also, it is a good idea to first focus on how to make the product successful in one country and then promote it to other countries. That way, we can tell if the product is successful and can branch out and be used by international people or not.

Question: What other high demanding items do Denmark sell in other countries besides furniture?

Work Cited

Hanson, P. H. “Networks, Narratives, and New Markets: The Rise and Decline of Danish Modern Furniture Design, 1930-1970.” The Business History Review, Vol. 80, No. 3 (Autumn, 2006), pp. 449-483.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/11/f9/56/11f95648aac65c2c91be043e21e802cb.jpg