Mid-Century Modern Design

In the aftermath of World War II, and against the backdrop of Cold War politics, design assumed an important role in the reconstruction of economies and national identities. Governments, organisations, companies, and individuals sought to promote modern design to a public which had suffered privations and rationing since the Depression of the 1930s. New materials and processes, original forms and inventive imagery generated exciting visions of the domestic space and its furnishing, offering the possibility of a brighter future for all and fuelling the optimism of the age. 

Key figures including Charles & Ray Eames, Gio Ponti, Hans Wegner, Robin & Lucienne Day, Timo Sarpaneva, and Tapio Wirkkala, and companies such as Iittala, Arabia, Venini, Herman Miller and Knoll, all contributed to the development of the ‘new look’ of mid-century modern design. The course examines visually and contextually the diverse range of objects created between c.1940 and 1965 (particularly furniture, ceramics and glass) and focuses on the responses of different countries (USA, Great Britain, France, Italy, Brazil, Scandinavia, and Finland) to the challenges and opportunities of the post-war period.