Design Diary Entry - Week Five

The idea of balance has begun to take a very interesting role this week. A new project presented itself, a simple object made of a singular piece of material. It has been such a challenge, and a fascinating exercise, in accounting for so many variables in one entity. Defining a simple object is actually a more difficult task than that of a complex one since there is less to work with. Branding, user experience, manufacturing still have to be accounted for and that gives more importance to every detail. Dividing the same amount of stress among less parts is a subtle game. It’s the most fun I’ve had on a project so far. 

Next week I will be traveling to Göteborg by myself to consult for a high-school student group on a product they want to put into small scale production. This semester at Runius Design is turning out to be a wonderful introduction and transition into client interaction. We are treating these economic students are like real clients; they have a concept that I will be helping them develop. It is meaningful for them and meaningful for me, but does not have serious, real-world implications, a perfect exercise for all of us.

I’ve begun to settle here, in Sweden. Moving to a new place, especially a new country, bears a period of transition; a time for calibration to a new atmosphere with new routines. Now I feel more comfortable in my environment and frame of mind. I no longer have to spend copious amounts of energy and stress on everyday activities. I can put more focus on what I came here to do.

The ingenuity ingrained in Scandinavian Design doesn’t just happen. One can’t simply design something clever, it takes a certain practice and approach. The objects that are simple but smart are those that probably took the longest to actualize. I believe this imbued intelligence comes from the practice of user-centered design, but more importantly, reflection. A mantra that I’ve recently adopted that elicits this idea is ‘Think more, Design less.’ I’ve come to find that true Scandinavian objects are more thought than design, more cognition than detail. It’s a beauty that is below the surface of the object, past the aesthetics, elusive of description. I came here to learn how to design Scandinavian objects, that is more than aesthetic, it’s purpose. Learning to recognize Scandinavian objects was the first step; that required observation. Learning how to create it is the next, and that requires action.

Thanks again for reading. I hope my posts have provided interest and provoked thoughts. Come back again next week for more from my experience here in Sweden.

Codee Adams
Product Designer