What does design mean for the Crown Princess?
-My initial interest in design was connected to the esthetical aspects, but as I have worked and learnt more about it, I see the difference the good design can have on the functional level. When design is at its best it is a combination of the esthetical and the functional, that makes a product stand out. I have much pleasure out of good products and find it very exciting to work with Norwegian designers in different fields.
- I have for many years now been interested in design, that is why it was easy to say yes when I was asked to become patron. Both the Crown Prince and I am interested in the modern Norway, what, and who do we present us as. I think its needed a holistic presentation of Norwegian designers to promote the picture of good Norwegian design abroad. We have many fantastic architects, artists, designers, and producers that present Norway as a modern nation. Design pictures Norway as we want to show it of. I think it is important to consider this aspect when we look to the future Norway outside of the oil and gas industry.
- The human produced side of our surroundings gets an increasingly bigger place and is an important part of our identity. This goes for the open space outside, the houses we live in etc. Good functional solutions can also contribute to making everyday life easier for people with handicaps
- I have on my visits at home and abroad seen that good design is both functional and esthetical, that is what makes the product stand out from the “grey mass". We have to day a strong team of Norwegian industrial designers that is in the top internationally, I think it is important that many Norwegian companies use this competence when they develop products, it will increase their possibilities in the international market
- In the furniture industry there are good examples of that, the cooperation between the traditional furniture producer LL Hjelle and the design group Norway says is one example. Its important that more companies is aware of and put the designer competence in to use, I think it can have a positive effect both on Norway as a country and on the economy.
- Design is important in the development of more environmentally sustainable products, new solutions can give environmentally friendly solutions, for instance choice of materials and the possibility of recycling. If the future consumer is concerned about such things, environmentally friendly products have a real advantage. It is my opinion that Norwegian designer are very concerned about this.
The Crown Princess is concerned with equal opportunities for everyone in society, how can design help with this?
- There is broad agreement that we want an equal society where no one is excluded because of age or reduced functional abilities. Everyone is equally important and has the right for the same possibilities; here comes “design for everybody” in, where you can include peoples different capabilities in design and development of products. In this way the products become better and more people can have advantage of it.
- There is much innovation in Norway today that the Crown Prince and I got to experience some of it when we arranged a design meeting at Skaugum last autumn. Its exciting that it is being worked with not only the traditional aspects of design, but also directed towards technology, health and including design. I have had the pleasure to open the exhibition young designers twice, it has been a good possibility to see what’s happening in amongst the newly educated. I also see a clear increased interest in Norwegian design when we are out travelling, we could also see it when we lived in London
Does the Crown Princess choose much Norwegian Design?
- Yes we use much Norwegian design, we have made a conscious decision that all gifts we give to heads of states and others are made of Norwegian designers, we also use Norwegian designers for our arrangements like Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s Christening. I am also impressed with the improvement of Norwegian fashion design the last years. There is much nice Norwegian clothes being made, I think it will increase (get better?) in the years to come. I have a broad cooperation with Norwegian designers and use much Norwegian clothes
