Made in Scandinavia

What is Scandinavian design when it is no longer made in Scandinavia? As production moves abroad, the link between object, place, and maker is broken. Leaving identity shaped by image rather than origin. Through the development of three objects, this project explores what Scandinavian production is and could be, using design as a method and lens to rethink local, resilient manufacturing systems. 

In a world shaped by climate change, shifting geopolitical power, and persistent inequalities, Scandinavia’s heavy reliance on production in low-income countries creates both commercial and ethical challenges - not least in the design industry. This project explores local production as an alternative to global value chains, shifting the focus from distant manufacturing optimized for cost and scale to partnerships rooted in proximity and shared practice.  

The New Scandinavian Design manifest was developed to guide the process and was used as a method when working in close collaboration with glassmakers, metal casters, and woodworkers. A vase, candleholder and tray was developed while investigating how being near the production process influences design decisions, deepens material understanding, and enables new forms of innovation. 

Ultimately, the project shows that a locally based production chain is not just a logistical alternative, but a different approach, where expertise, adaptability, and openness become central values. Knowledge circulates more effectively, rapid iteration enables quick feedback loops, and transparency increases throughout the entire process.

This project and its objects aim to act as vessels to question the Scandinavian design industry, and propose a new, more ethical and future-proof path for Scandinavian design.