Design by IKEA: A Cultural History

by Sara Kristoffersson, William Jewson (Translator)

Sara Kristoffersson's compelling study provides the first sustained critical history of IKEA. Kristoffersson argues that the company's commercial success has been founded on a neat alignment of the brand with a particular image of Swedish national identity – one that is bound up with ideas of social democracy and egalitarianism - and its material expression in a pared-down, functional design aesthetic. Employing slogans such as "Design for everyone" and "Democratic design", IKEA signals a rejection of the stuffy, the 'chintzy', and the traditional in both design practices and social structures.
Drawing on original research in the IKEA company archive and interviews with IKEA personnel, Design by IKEA traces IKEA's symbolic connection to Sweden, through its design output and its promotional materials, to examine how the company both promoted and profited from the concept of Scandinavian Design.

Genres: Design

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Jeffrey Lambert · Rating 2 out of 5]

40% about IKEA. 40% about Sweden. 20% about God knows what. 75% skim-able. A lot of repetition. I lost count of how many times the author made reference to how IKEA's colors are the same as Sweden's.

[Bahndosi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed analysis on how Sweden influences IKEA and vice versa. Quite a good book if you’re interested about the company.

[Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is super professional and brings an interesting insight into the cultural impact IKEA has had on the world.