This year, there were so many Norwegian exhibitors at the Milan fair that Andreas Engesvik couldn’t keep track of them all. Losing control never felt so good
You may not believe it, but designer Andreas Engesvik has a habit of rummaging round in other people’s trash.
Partly because he can see gold where others see garbage, but mostly because he thinks the contents of Norwegian dumpsters paint an interesting picture of today’s society. People are still discarding what they bought cheap (bicycles costing NOK 3,000 and NOK 300 shoes), but maybe not to the same extent as before. In Norway, it seems, people have become more sensible. We have started to understand that it is not sustainable to ship goods halfway around the world, only to throw them out three months later. And as that understanding grows, we become more willing to pay more: the reason that piece of furniture is a bit expensive is that there’s a guy called Oddbjørn who has made it by hand. Looking thirty years down the road, therefore, Andreas predicts that cheap goods will become as outdated as smoking is today – because people in Norway are increasingly concerned about local sourcing and good quality. Finally.
“The outlook for cheap goods is really bad. Consumers have grown tired of throwing things away, and would rather look after them. We want designs that last, vegetables that are grown sustainably and decent clothes that can be used season after season,” smiles Andreas. For even though he is talking about something that is dying out, he does so with a smile on his lips. That more people will buy fewer things of better quality is actually good news for Norwegian designers and manufacturers. Because if there is one thing we are good at here in the far north, it is craftsmanship and durability.
“During the financial crisis, investment was uncritical, but producers are much more responsible now than they were before. We are seeing a new kind of matter-of-factness. Instead of mass producing amusing vases and cool plastic whatnots, we are creating functional objects with relevance, that are well designed, well made out of good materials and with good surfaces,” says Andreas. He thinks this is one of the reasons for the enormous focus on Scandinavia at the moment, why everyone wants a piece of this Scandinavian right-mindedness. In fact, the whole world is moving towards this point – as a reaction to the throw-away society.
Andreas has long been optimistic on behalf of Norwegian design, but it has only been in the past two years that he has really felt things were starting to happen. More and more young designers are working internationally, and, as a consequence of this increase in activity, Norwegian design is gaining in importance. “We are more visible in the world press, and there are starting to be enough of us to make our presence felt,” he says.
“This year there were so many Norwegian designers exhibited at the furniture and interior design fair in Milan that I lost track of them all. I think that’s the surest sign that there’s a lot happening right now,” says Andreas. He points to the Kneip designers Jørgen Platou Willumsen and Stian Korntved Ruud as talents he has faith in. He also highlights Norwegian Presence as the most precise international initiative from Norway in many years. A curated exhibition with the best pieces from both young and established designers and consumer goods producers.
Norwegian Presence is a collaboration between commercial and non-commercial forces, who are all pulling in the same direction. For that reason, Andreas thinks the idea behind the exhibition is almost as good as the works on display, because it is the result of Norwegian players combining their efforts. The designer believes that craftsmanship and durability are not the only key words for the future. Mutual cooperation and support is important, too. For even though many young designers are doing well today, it takes a long time to establish oneself as a designer. It is likely, therefore, that sooner or later many will encounter challenges.
“While I’m a firm believer in internationalizing the design field, I see how extremely important it is that we have clients and service organizations who contribute to building the field. Globally, there is enormous interest in Scandinavia right now, but since the Norwegian field is relatively undeveloped, Norwegian collaborative projects are important,” he says.
“Since both the Norwegian design and consumer goods industries are going through exciting phases, it is important that we have a meeting place in Norway that is topical, important and relevant. The Gifts and Interior Trade Fair wants to be an exciting place to visit, exhibit at and draw inspiration from,” says Andreas, who is looking forward to spending time there chatting with his industry brothers and sisters – which is one of the whole points of the fair. It is supposed to be a place where you can gain new professional insights, but also a social occasion where industry players can get to know each other better and build networks. A place where designers can meet producers, and retailers can meet suppliers. Everyone aiming to launch a new brand, or who wants to go somewhere, should feel that the fair is relevant to them. “I have not always been so optimistic,” he says.
Andreas Engesvik
Andreas Engesvik is one of Norway’s most well-known and well respected designers, with countless design awards under his belt, including the Red Dot Award in 2012 and 2014. He designs furniture and accessories for both Norwegian and European brand names, such as the Vang chair for Norway’s Tonning & Stryn, and the Tiki sofa for Sweden’s Fogia. He is now the Gifts and Interior Trade Fair’s Strategic Advisor, and is working to develop, update and raise the event to new heights.
http://www.oslodesignfair.com/en/news/bright-future
More designs from Andreas Engesvik:
Gaia – a sofa uniting comfort, design and the future of the earth by Andreas Engesvik
Gaia – light, sympathetic and sustainable sofa for the future With Gaia, LK Hjelle introduces …
Fogia Unveils Bollo in Polished and Brushed Steel design by Andreas Engesvik
For the first time ever, Andreas Engesvik’s iconic Bollo lounge chair is available in polished …
Cosy, well crafted, and slightly eccentric. Andreas Engesvik designs new lounge chair for Fogia
Designed by Andreas Engesvik for Fogia, the new Pico is a lounge chair that juxtaposes …
The Munch series expanding design by Andreas Engesvik & Jonas Stokke – Vestre
Our main hypothesis was that just because you are in a museum you should not …
Bruno Mathsson’s prize celebrates 40 years with extensive exhibition @ Vandalorum
26 October 2024–15 June 2025 In 2024, it will be 40 years since the Bruno …
Sundal armchair designed by Andreas Engesvik for Skargaarden
The Sundal armchair, designed by Andreas Engesvik The new chair that Andreas designed, he named …
7 top designers showcase objects made from revolutionary aluminium product
At Milan Design Week 2024, world-leading Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro presented the …
Magica votives design by Andreas Engesvik in collaboration with Orrefors
Magica votives design in collaboration with Orrefors, a premium heritage brand that created magnificent glass …
Orrefors presents collections by Andreas Engesvik, Claesson Koivisto Rune, Monica Förster, LAYER & Benjamin Hubert & Lena Bergström @ 3daysofdesign
Today @ 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen, June 12th-14th, Orrefors will present a selection of brand defining …
The Escalia Linje staircase is a project Escalia and Andreas Engesvik are doing together
Linje stairs Escalia Hagen, 2024 The Escalia Linje staircase is the second project Escalia and …
Bruno + 35 Mathsson Prize Winners @ Sven-Harrys konstmuseum
26th January – 7th April 2024 For the first time, Bruno Mathsson’s timeless furniture is …
Vestre introducing armrests for Briskeby single bench design by Andreas Engesvik
BRISKEBY is at three metres, the longest single bench in our collection. Briskeby works brilliantly …
Sanke kitchen is a collaboration with Norwegian wooden workshop Hamran design Andreas Engesvik
“Sanke” kitchen is a collaboration with Norwegian wooden workshop Hamran, which specialized in kitchen and …
Designer Andreas Engesvik’s Silent Vase Returns with Expanded Color Palette
Originally launched to the Muuto collection in 2013, the Silent Vase is now back in …
Andreas Engesvik’s Barba Series for Fogia Continues to Celebrate Organic Forms
Barba Lounge The Barba series, designed with Andreas Engesvik, has celebrated sculptural roundness since its …
Andreas Engesvik Expands Successful Bollo Series with New Typologies for Fogia
Bollo Barstool The Bollo family just got bigger. Sprung from a need for a comfortable …
Briskeby the longest single bench in Vestres collection by Andreas Engesvik
Briskeby works brilliantly as a generous and sociable meeting place with room for many …
Libelle Series by Andreas Engesvik for Grythyttan Stålmöbler
The Libelle series is one of Grythyttan’s new products for the year, conceived by the …
Lyra Lounge Chair by Andreas Engesvik – Fogia
Lyra Lounge Chair design Andreas Engesvik Designed with the reputable designer Andreas Engesvik, the Lyra …
The latest member of Andreas Engesvik and Daniel Rybakken’s Arbour family, the Arbour Club Armchair – HAY
The latest member of Andreas Engesvik and Daniel Rybakken’s Arbour family, the Arbour Club Armchair …
Munch Series by Andreas Engesvik & Jonas Stokke for Vestre
The Munch series comprises elegant lounge furniture for relaxation and contemplation The series has been …
Velar sofa, the latest collaboration with designer Andreas Engesvik – Fogia
Fogia is pleased to present the Velar sofa, the latest collaboration with designer Andreas Engesvik …
Arbour 2 seater version out now! Design Andreas Engesvik & Daniel Rybakken – HAY
Embodying the concept that design should follow construction, Andreas Engesvik and Daniel Rybakken’s Arbour is …
Lara is a simple, elegant table by Andreas Engesvik for Fogia
Lara is a simple, elegant table that brings a heavy-duty element through its construction and …
Lyra chaise lounge by Andreas Engesvik for Fogia
The aim of the Lyra chaise lounge design was to introduce a forgotten category into …
Arbour by Andreas Engesvik & Daniel Rybakken – HAY
Embodying the concept that design should follow construction, Andreas Engesvik and Daniel Rybakken’s Arbour is …
Born Classic – tomorrow’s design classics
Born Classic – tomorrow’s design classics In 2019, Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair created a …
Ribbon is a range of rugs by Andreas Engesvik – Fogia
Ribbon is a range of rugs designed by Andreas Engesvik for Fogia The design draws …
Barba design Andreas Engesvik – Fogia
Named after the French word for candy floss and influenced by the classic cartoon characters, …
Bollo design by Andreas Engesvik – Fogia
Andreas Engesvik’s Bollo series has been one of Fogia’s most defining designs Instantly recognisable, with …
Liv Candlestick by Andreas Engesvik – Arven
Liv Candlestick Arven, 2018 Liv is a silver candlestick made as a limited edition to …
Snapshots – Stockholm Furniture Fair & Northern Light Fair 2018
Snapshots – Stockholm Furniture Fair & Northern Light Fair 2018 Photo: Ola Marton & Maximilian …
Dini design by Andreas Engesvik for Fogia
Dini sees Andreas Engesvik creating a new, updated, elegant and subdued variation of a sofa, …
The Supper dining table by Andreas Engesvik – Fogia
The Supper dining table is simple and elegant, and ticks all the boxes when it …
Bright future – interview with Strategic Advisor Andreas Engesvik
This year, there were so many Norwegian exhibitors at the Milan fair that Andreas Engesvik …
Tiki design by Andreas Engesvik – Fogia
Tiki is a deceptively simple sofa with an abundance of character and comfort Its soft …
Bowl is an aesthetically strong storage unit by Andreas Engesvik – Fogia
Bowl is an aesthetically strong storage unit to keep your everyday items close to hand …
Sam by Stefan Borselius, Andreas Engesvik and Note Designstudio – Fogia
The shape of the table top and the constructive leg mounting detail gives Sam a …
Tiki design by Andreas Engesvik – Fogia
Tiki design by Andreas Engesvik Tiki sofa has a feather light, yet at the same …
Vang chair design by Andreas Engesvik – Tonning Møbler
We started developing the wooden chair – Vang – in the fall of 2010. It …
Andreas Engesvik
Andreas Engesvik (1970) has a Bachelors degree in Art History from the University of Bergen …
News from Offecct @ Stockholm Furniture Fair 2009
Strong architectural presence in Claesson Koivisto Rune’s colorful – Etage coffee table One of the …
Norway Says launch Duo sofa & Hotel chair for LK Hjelle
Experience the Duo sofa and Hotel chair! We are pleased that we have once again …
News from Materia @ Stockholm Furniture Fair 2009
Thriving Materia gives new designers wind behind their sails Materia is swimming against the current …
Ginko Pendant designed by Norway Says for Örsjö
Ginko was designed by Norway Says in 2009. The lamp’s name is an acknowledgement of …
Norway Says launch OK Sofa for LK Hjelle
Product/year of production: OK sofa, 2007 Manufacturer: LK Hjelle, Norway – www.hjelle.no Designer: Norway Says …
SPLINE – the graphic range of chairs by Norway Says for Offecct
SPLINE – the graphic range of chairs now includes a bar stool and easy chair …
BOY pouf by Norway Says for LK Hjelle
Adds a smile to your room BOY may remind us about our boyhood – those …
Bruno Mathsson Prize 2004 awarded to the designer group Norway Says
Bruno Mathsson Prize to the designer group Norway Says The young group of industrial designers …
Norway Says launch Break, Hal & Ugo for LK Hjelle
Receiving the +1 Award for best interior-product 2004 @ Stockholm Fair for product BREAK …