Function and simplicity are the hallmarks of Scandinavian design. It is arguably one of my favorite design aesthetics for no other reason than I love white rooms and the Scandinavians do the color white expertly. So much of the Scandinavian aesthetic is rooted in black and white that I wanted to do an exploration into the use of color. When is it used? How is it used? Is it subtle or bold?
When I think of Scandinavia, the colors I think of are white, green, and wood. I was happy to see a restrained use of color in this collection in Femme Natural Boost, Mäster Anders Beer, and Mack Isbjørn Beer. These brands employ color to act as a canvas to their brand logos.
I also loved the inverse use of color with projects that used it very lightly. In these projects, there is a heavy reliance on the contents to provide color, with few embellishment and copy.
As a whole, they acknowledge proportion – maintaining a proper balance between color and text so as to not compromise the Scandinavian paradigm.
Collection Feature Graphic by Parallel-Play
Jay and Shannon Doronio are Parallel-Play an LA based creative studio specializing in adventure and innovation. Their work spans web and print media, and their clients include Chronicle Books, L.A. Louver, GOOD Magazine, 826LA and 826National.
