Das Design der 1960er Jahre

The design of the 1960s

Social changes, emancipation, alternative lifestyles: things got wild in the 1960s. The dreamy ideal of the past decade, with its nuclear family and house in the suburbs, was simply passé. Youth culture was globalized by new media and paved the way for new things. It's not for nothing that people like to think of hippies in Woodstock and sex, drugs and rock'n'roll.

Collage about events and personalities of the 1960s
Image 1: Collage of important personalities, events and achievements of the 1960s.

The change in society naturally also triggered a change in the perception of design. “Good design” became the decisive criterion against which all designs were measured. Scandinavian design became the epitome of contemporary form. In Italy, on the other hand, the Neo Liberty style was born at the beginning of the 1960s, which turned away from the modernist designs of the “machine age” to achieve a more artisanal aesthetic with references to the formal language of turn-of-the-century art . German design, however, was entirely dedicated to geometric clarity. The discussion about the exact definition of “good design” was in full swing and everyone had their own opinion on it.

Hotel room from the 1960s, decorated in Danish Modern style
Image 2: Danish Modern was considered the epitome of good design.

Despite different preferences, are there common style characteristics? Yes, go ahead! Bold colors, clear shapes and a modern aesthetic are quickly associated with the 1960s, even by laypeople. It was a time of departure and experimentation. People wanted to break away from traditional styles and patterns and create something new. And that was also reflected in the interior design.

Here are some of the key features of 1960s design:

  • Geometric shapes : Circles, triangles and squares are the foundations of design. They were often found in patterns and prints and their simplicity gave the designs a clear structure.
  • Pop Art : Pop Art was the dominant element of this time. It was characterized by lively colors, clear contours and an unmistakable design language.
  • Technological influence : The numerous technological advances of this time can also be seen in the interior design. New materials such as plastics and metals were increasingly used and opened up new design possibilities.

Examples of 1960s patterns, images by Roy Lichtenstein and designs by Joe Colombo
Image 3: Geometric shapes, Pop Art and technological advances were woven into the designs of the 1960s.

The inspiration for the design came from a variety of sources. Art played a crucial role. Artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein instantly influenced the design world with their works. Space travel and rapid technological development were also important sources of inspiration for the designers of this time.

The most influential designers of the 1960s included people like Joe Colombo (the Italian industrial designer, not Joseph Colombo, the US mobster 😉 ), Eero Aarnio (Relaxing in a bubble chair is our lifelong dream.) and Verner Panton (everyone knows the Panton Chair!).

Eero Aarnio became world famous for his innovative pieces of furniture and accessories, including the legendary Ball Chair, which still looks as futuristic today as it did back then. Verner Panton, a Danish designer, impressed with his unconventional and bold designs. Forever immortalized in the Panton Chair, which is now celebrated as a timeless design classic.

Examples of designs by Joe Colombo, Verner Panton and Eero Aarnio
Image 4: 3 examples of designs by Joe Colombo, Eero Aarnio and Verner Panton.

If you are looking for furniture from the 60s, you should pay attention to the following characteristic features:

  • Use of geometric shapes and patterns
  • Pop art influences, including strong colors and clear contours
  • Use of plastics and metals

The 1960s were a time of change, creativity and the beginning of a new era of design.

Shop our three most beautiful pieces from the 1960s here:

Literature, photo credits & sources:

Charlotte & Peter Fiell (2015): 60s. Decorative Art, Cologne: Taschen Verlag


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