Japandi: between Nordic and Japanese design

The article is devoted to the issue of the specifics of understanding design in different regions. In a narrow sense, design is a product of modernist culture, and its origins can be traced back to the European rationality of the Enlightenment. However, by today, the understanding of design has greatly expanded, and different regions of the world offer different understanding of design, contributing to the "science" of design. The purpose of the article is to identify similarities and differences in the understanding of design in Japan and the Nordic countries based on the analysis of the modern trend in environmental design "japandi", which involves a blending of Scandinavian (Nordic) and Japanese design traditions. Although "japandi" is a trend of the 2020s, it should be noted that the influence of Japanese design on Nordic design can be traced back to the middle of the twentieth century. The study is based on a comparative method, offering a comparison of different design models in the context of geographical, historical, cultural and socio-economic characteristics of the regions. Following N. Skou and A. Munch, the authors analyze the Nordic design using the keywords: "north", "nature", "models" [of welfare] and "minimalism". The authors conclude that the specifics of Nordic design as a whole are based on the idea of the balance of nature and culture, functionalism and pop culture, it is socially oriented and, as a result, simple, but not strict in its commitment to simplicity. This makes it accessible and understandable to everyone. At the same time, the design here is a "way of life". Continuing the logic of keywords, the authors conclude that the main ones for Japanese design are: "tradition", "nature", "minimalism" and "care". In Japanese design, the creation of the new takes place by embedding in the old. Its minimalism is due not only to the influence of Buddhism or traditional aesthetics, in particular the simplicity of "wabi", but also to "Westernization" in general. Also, "Japanese minimalism" is associated with caring for other people, it is "contemplative", which is facilitated by the traditional connection with nature and the aesthetics of "sabi" scuffs. Although design in both regions strives for peace, harmony with nature and simplicity of forms, in general Japanese design is "contemplative", and Nordic design is "cozy" ("hygge"). Thus "japandi" is a Western trend offering a "cozy" Japan "for everyone."

Japanese design, Scandinavian design, japandi, Nordic design, hygge, wabi-sabi, minimalism, wa-modern, aesthetics of Buddhism, aesthetics of Protestantism