Elleve

What is democratic design? Is designs that are accessible to all? Is it design that benefits everyone, like a public library? Is it a design that everyone can use like a band-aid? Is a design democratic merely because it is within most peoples financial capabilities? Is it something that is mass produced so many people can own one, like an Arne Jacobson chair? When considering all questions it is important that a very large part of democracy is the given right of choice. Who is responsible for designing democratically? The designer, the producer, the consumer? Many danish designers have adopted the ideals of "Social Art" or "Designs for the people," in which they create and produce with a wide variety of consumers in mind. Many Danish designers feel it is an integral part of what they do, to facilitate as many people as they can with their designs, so that all, the poor or the elite have accessibility to good designs. Betterment of life for all through design. This is a democratic choice made by many designers. To understand Democratic Design within in the Danish realm of thought we look to the past as a tool of understand how democratic design developed.

Back in the day the number of the elite who had accessibility to fine arts and beautiful designer were only 10%, while the remaining 90% consisted mainly of peasants. Peasants mainly had primitive crafts available to them. As with many things throughout history, one way to measure wealth was by what people could surround themselves with, leaving most people artless. During the middle 1700s Danish design was influenced by the french flamboyant Rococo style, in which asymmetry , elaborate carvings and natural motifs were of choice. Rococo's over the top, excessive quality is something we rarely see in Danish design today because during the Classicism Period people were encouraged to celebrate freedom and equality. When design took a turn to look back on classic architecture designers took note that there was beauty in simplicity and that design was an important part of all peoples lives. The turn to classical architecture and order was a result of the new democracy of the time...again design influences change in society. In the late 1700s the Danes returned to craftsmanship and started to develop an industry in producing designs. It was around this time that Gruntvig established the importance of education for the masses. It was his approach to education, whereas art and design were the most integral part in enriching ones mind, that the Danish people started to fully adopt a respect for the importance of accessible design, for all people Thus democratic design is born.

Simultaneous people started fusing many types of style within one space. Where during the Rococo time everything was ornate and over the top, now a single piece of elaborate furniture would be placed within a room. Eclectic style became a way of showcasing ones wealth and status. So there after the Dane's started setting precedence on  the functionality of design, based on the use of natural resources and efficient materials. During the beginning of the Functionalism period when designers considered the use and functionality of the product rather then the person they were creating in mind. When designs became less personal they certainly became more democratic...Everyone will use a knife the same way...if it he knife is created with the intention of function in mind, all users are considered equally or democratically rather. Around the time of the Bauhaus and De Stijl movement there was a large emergence of artists and craftsman in which minimalism and simplicity were favored. Essential items were being produced for people of all social classes while the quality of the work remained up to Danish par. Nothing was to be designed that wasn't necessary, as unusable objects were thought to be a distraction and clutter.

It took a few centuries for the Dane's to put a mark on their design. The Danes seem to pride themselves on quality, craftsmanship, functionality and designs that can be used by the masses. Comparatively to the American society, the Dane's practice within a very socialist society, in which the people are considered first. All for one, one for all... Or in this case one design, designed for all. Is that democracy?