by: JMVL
Everyone knows of Ikea, everyone has been to an Ikea and probably have bought something from Ikea. The franchise is originally from Sweden and builds its image on the same thing across the world. Simplicity, blue & yellow colors and weird Swedish names for its products. I find it very interesting how a design company like Ikea can create furniture with such a simple design, and yet be so successful all around the world.
Ikea’s simple formula of having a large blue and yellow warehouse type store, with different displays of furniture that you have to walk by before entering the proper warehouse, where you can pick out the furniture you want. And also while you are at it, you can stop by their canteen and have some meatballs. All their furniture is simple to build and require minimal effort and skill. This is the same for every store in every country that has an Ikea. On top of this, they always have good and cheap prices.
In my opinion, this makes them an iconic design organization. Especially when they cooperate with other artists and designers like, Virgil Abloh and his brand Off-White. For always being the same and simple “Ikea” they are very good at innovating new design ideas for their furniture. This is one of their main ways of competing with other companies like: Walmart, Amazon, Tesco and even Norwegian brands like A-møbler and Bohus. They are cheap, iconic, simple and easy to use and that’s why people love them so much.
What is so unique about Ikea’s design approach is that all their products are somewhat made of the same materials. They have matching sets in different colors and variations, at Ikea you can get everything from plants to a whole kitchen, and this also cheaper then most competitors. Inside the design industry Ikea is situated more towards the architectural design area, because of the specific way all their furniture is designed and how it is put together.
On the picture you can see one of the Ikea x Off-White pieces. Their iconic Persian styled carpet with the iconic “KEEP OFF” Off-White text.
Making sense of art and design industries 