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Modern Furniture Designers

Posted on 17. Feb, 2009 by DesignerDeco in Modern Furniture Designers

Furniture pieces have long been the subject of differing creative exploits by many artists and designers through the years. There were times, however, when function was put forth before the design, giving birth to a kind of style that that focused more on comfort than on grandeur. Dubbed as modern design, this new approach was introduced in the late 19th century, featuring furniture that harped less on the grandiose use of conventional materials and more on the function gathered from the use of radical elements and style. Steel, molded plywood, plastic, and other non-traditional materials were the favorite materials used by modern furniture designers in their creations.

Modern designer styles

Modern designer styles by Deutscher Werkbund

Roughly translated as the German Work federation, the Deustcher Werkbund or Werkbund, was a group composed of artists and designers who aimed to bring German craftsmanship through furniture to the global level. Since it was initially a commercial venture, product manufacturers gained more than their designer partners. But as German-designed modern furniture became more known in the market, the artistic value of such designs gained more prominence in the following years. Modern furniture designers who were part of this early movement were Hermann Muthesius, Lilly Reisch, and Mies Van der Rohe.

Modern designer styles by the Bauhaus movement

The Bauhaus movement was the next thing that swept the modern interior design industry by storm. Designers who were partners with industrialists in the Deutsche Werkbund became the proponents of the Bauhaus school. Whereas Werkbund focused on getting German furniture to the market for a commercial purpose, the Bauhaus movement focused on making German furniture designs famous for their artistry. The Bauhaus School became a private academic institution in 1930 when Mies Van der Rohe took over.

Modern designer styles from African and Asian culture

Modern designers then turned their attentions toward other cultures, where they can draw inspirations from. In time, modern furniture with tribal or African influences emerged in the market. African themes were evident in furniture and interior decoration that embodied tribal designs, wood carvings, and furniture pieces that are typical of African tribal life. Animal hide prints then became favorites of the interior design savvy. Asian, particularly Japanese décor, inspired many designers to produce sleek and minimalist themes. These minimalist themes eventually led to the birth of Art Deco and Art Nouveau, styles which renowned American architect Frank Lloyd Wright was famous for.

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