HOW TO DESIGN A CLASSIC OF THE 2020’S?

Sammanfattning: With the questions of how, what and if, this study aims to create a deeper understanding of design classics and what may define a design classic dated the 2020’s. Design classics are a well-known phenomenon that includes a large number of objects. In this survey we have focused on furniture and decor design classics. The study was performed by comparing design classics mainly from the 1930s to the 1970s, and examine the differences and the similarities with today’s furniture designs. The study examined the important elements in a design process today and which elements may influence the objects that are remembered as design classics from the 2020’s. A qualitative study was conducted where case studies were performed on three respondents from three different organizations working with design. With the help of historical research, contemporary research and empirical data, we were able to construct a design process with the goal of shaping our research into three different furniture and decor objects. The end result was a design family named Tribus containing three objects, a table lamp, a coffee table and a lounge chair. Our conclusion shows that there are countless answers and solutions to our question at issue and that only the future can designate what will signify the design of the 2020’s. It is a challenging task that touches on many important perspectives in a design process. During the project, we have learned a lot about design classics and what may be essential for the design of the future. But we have only scratched the surface and there are significantly more angles to examine. Studying a subjective and constantly changing subject as design is both complex but at the same time highly developing. This implies that the end result can become almost anything, just as free as design should be.