All this talk of economic downturn and recession can, quite frankly, take it's toll on one's psyche. However, an article from January 5th's International Herald Tribune's Culture section entitled "Design loves a Depression" has cast a little glimmer of hope on all the negativity.
The article highlighted how design thrives in hard times like these, how the focus has to return to functionality and durability if it's going to make it out the other side. Some all time classics, still admired and desired by many today like the Aalto stool or the Eames rocking chair (pictured above), were born not in spite of but rather due to the demands of hardship. Designers needed to come up with practical, durable and timely pieces if they were going to weather the storm.
So where's the proverbial silver lining to this big economic black cloud? Lean times means good design at an affordable price and hopefully ones that will stand the test of time. That's something to pin a few hopes on.
Credits: Michael Cannell of iht.com; photo Aalto stool from Livingetc
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