Friday, November 20, 2009
What Do You Have Against IKEA?
Ikea. The Swedish company founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad has become a household name for both designers and non-designers. For many, Ikea is a gift from God. Many applaud the sleek and stylish furniture store for it's combination of affordability and edginess.
To a designer familiar with whatever is "high-end" design, Ikea appears simultaneously appealing and odious.
For many designers, Ikea seems to be a "sellout". Can good design actually be affordable? Is design still good design if it is ubiquitous and accessible to everyone?
The logical answer is of course yes. Good design should be affordable and ubiquitous! Good design is not found at South Coast Mall in rather sparse Prada and Chanel stores. Perhaps good fashion, but not good design. Good design is found in all classes and cultures. It is important to remember that fashion and design are not synonymous as the former lends a sense of "trendiness". Trendy is normally seen to be expensive... and it is easy to assume that design is only good if only the elite can afford it.
Ikea has provided the world with several innovative designs. They are the go-to for newlyweds furnishing their first home.
Although Ikea was founded on the idea of providing good, sustainable design at an affordable price, is it possible that they have become tangled in the tentacles of the corporate world?
Is Ikea truly sustainable with it's 301 stores? With it's normally sprawling parking lots and vast warehouses?
It is this, not the trendy factor, that confuses my opinion of Ikea. The part of me that enjoys the convenience of super markets and coupons welcomes the affordability of fairly higher end designs. The part of me that is guilty for enjoying the convinience of supermarkets and coupons is also guilty for enjoying the perks of Ikea while we demolish classic architecture in favor of what is current and easy.
11:03 PM by jamie.