Since the 19th century, five major design movements in Europe (Arts and Crafts movement, Art Nouveau, Deutscher Werkbund, Bauhaus, Memphis) have not only driven innovation and change in the field of design, shaping the urban landscapes and daily necessities of what we see today, but also influenced our understanding of aesthetics, functionality, and social values.

How can we explore from a perspective of the industry to see how design movements can affect one or even multiple industries? What kind of comprehensive changes will the integration of industry bring to social development, education system and lifestyle?

On November 15, 2024, an exhibition focusing on contemporary European design opened at the Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen.

At the opening ceremony, Su Ke, Deputy Director of Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Leng Haidong, Director of Jimei District Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Guo Weihong, Deputy General Manager of Xiamen Media Group, Qin Jian, Dean of institute of Creativity and Innovation of Xiamen University, and Wu Bingjie, Director of Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen, attended the ribbon cutting ceremony, unveiling the opening of the 2024 Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen Annual Permanent Main Exhibition.

At the event, Lin Jian, Director of the Exhibition and Research Center at the Red Dot Design Museum Xiamen, led an official tour to let the audience walk through various European countries from a professional perspective, experiencing how design shapes and promotes innovative development in the industry, and looking forward to the future in retrospect.

From the cold north to the hot south, from the far western Atlantic coast to the eastern borders bordering Asia, on this ancient and diverse continent of Europe, many countries and ethnic groups gather, with significant differences in geography, language, and culture.Is there an overarching design style that runs through this continent?Can there even be such a thing as European design?

Designers use superb technology and a wealth of materials to combine tradition with modernity, nature with technology, diversity with unity, creating products that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical. Throughout Europe, there is a high regard for the usability of products—that is, their ease of use—which not only makes the products functionally complete but also enhances their performance, ultimately benefiting the consumers.

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Countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria, the Netherlands, and Switzerland are known for their unique geographical landscapes and profound cultural heritage, which have accumulated a rich cultural legacy that brings about the integration and commonality of design concepts.

The designs from these countries demonstrate a shared emphasis on functionality and practicality in their consideration of different lifestyles, which have won international recognition: the durability and reliability of German design; the standardization and attention to detail of British design; the simplicity and innovation of Dutch design; the precision and strictness of Swiss design, etc.

Under these philosophies, designers and manufacturers pay special attention to the practical utility of products in improving the quality of life in the early stages of product development, and then realize complex functionality through the close connection between design and engineering. Designers such as Egon Eiermann, Hans Gugelot, and Dieter Rams have all contributed to this objective and technical design approach.

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Another movement in European design comes from France and Italy, and possibly Spain, characterised by a great love of experimentation combined with elegance and innovation.

French design emphasizes the combination of artistry and practicality, with designers adept at blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, while Italian design is renowned for its exquisite use of cutting-edge materials and ultimate pursuit of details. From furniture to fashion, designers constantly push the boundaries of design, working together to create innovative expressions full of seduction.

In these countries, designers are widely respected by society and often become celebrities, enjoying a high degree of creative freedom. That allow them to innovate more boldly and design products that are both highly attractive and can stimulate purchasing desire, once again bringing new design vitality to society.

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The mysterious land of Northern Europe, including countries such as Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, boasts a diverse and magnificent natural scenery, from the steep fjords of Norway to the vast forests of Sweden, from the land of a thousand lakes in Finland to the coastline of Denmark. The long and cold winter and the bright and brief summer make people particularly value the interaction with nature, objects, and oneself through design.

Since the 1950s, in the exploration of industrial design, Scandinavian design has deeply rooted in people's hearts with the principles of humanity, inclusiveness, and environmental protection, and has formed a responsible design concept through continuous observation and care for the details of life.

Scandinavian design has brought a more "human-centered" modern lifestyle to the world by improving resource utilization, extending product lifespan, and paying more attention to user experience.

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