Slow Design: Principles & Elements
We rush to work, hurry to our appointments, dash through our breaks, then run home to spend time with our loved ones.
Sometimes it feels like we are even rushed through life itself.
We're all guilty of it.
In this world of haste – while it may seem that all aspects of life are getting faster around us – things are quite the opposite in the design world.
Day-to-day moments that were often missed, overlooked spaces, and once-mindful experiences that faded away in our memories are brought back to life by a movement that celebrates slowness, craftsmanship, and rediscovery.
In the form of Slow Design, designers from architecture to furniture and lighting design offer a balanced alternative to the fast-paced and mass-produced world we live in.
But what does Slow Design encompass? How does it contribute to sustainably made and ethically driven homes?
Learn more about the movement, what it means for the design process, and how you can incorporate the concept into your home for more mindful living.
What is Slow Design?
Slow Design is a philosophy to inspire designers and stimulate thinking in new ways of designing products and environments. It is all about creating things thoughtfully, responsibly, and sustainably. The Slow Design movement celebrates the constructive collaboration of craftsmen, creating a fruitful creative ecology with a focus on interior design, including everything from decorative features like lighting and furniture all the way to architecture.
Designers embracing this holistic approach choose quality craftsmanship over mass-made production. They are searching for more meaning in creating the spaces we live in and designing the objects we surround ourselves with in our daily lives with well-being in mind.
Slowness doesn’t necessarily mean how long it takes to design or craft something. Instead, it describes a state of awareness and conscious creation, offering the opportunity for a richer spectrum of experiences both for those who create the pieces and those who enjoy them for years to come.
Origins of Slow Design
Slow Design is part of a larger movement that's been gaining steam since the late ‘80s of people appreciating and enjoying life at a more relaxed pace. Slow Design has its roots in the Slow Food movement, and is inspired by our desire to live in a more environmentally conscious way.
Slowness has become a growing trend in lifestyle and its many aspects. The Slow Food movement embraces local produce and traditional cooking methods, while Slow Fashion is produced taking both people and the environment into account. Slow Design shares the same sentiment.
Slow Design has evolved as a result of this cultural transition. Similar to the Slow Food movement, it encourages designers to make thoughtful decisions regarding the materials and processes they use, to evaluate which design methods may support a long-term relationship between an object and its owner, and even to consider the future life of the object or the material it is created from.
Key Principles Behind Slow Design
Patience and time: Slow design values taking time to design, reflect, and create something truly meaningful, carefully considering every aspect of the design process, rather than rushing the creative process.
Craftsmanship and tactility: Slow design emphasizes the use of traditional craftsmanship techniques and natural materials.
Sustainability: Slow design emphasizes the importance of creating designs that are environmentally friendly and that have a minimal impact on the planet.
Creative ecology: Slow design connects like-minded creators and unites a diverse community of designers, artisans, and local craftsmen to foster a creative economy independent from mass production.
Made-to-order: Slow design prioritizes quality over quantity, creating a small number of high-quality products rather than mass-producing cheap, disposable items.
Transcendence of trends and authenticity: Slow design values originality and uniqueness over trends or imitation.
How is Slow Design Different Than Commercial Design?
Slow Design and Commercial Design represent two very different approaches to design. Slow Design considers sustainability, social responsibility, and traditional craftsmanship as core values of its philosophy, while Commercial Design prioritizes efficiency, profitability, and mass appeal.
The Slow Design process entails traditional craftsmanship and is often collaborative, involving the expertise of local craftspeople and designers. Works are produced in smaller batches or are made-to-order designs. In contrast, Commercial Design is a process of standardized and efficient production through automation and cost-effectiveness.
These differences in process and purpose also affect the aesthetics of the final products. Slow Design often results in unique, unconventional, timeless, and resilient designs. Commercial Design, on the other hand, emphasizes marketability and consumer appeal, often following the latest trends and prioritizing brand recognition.
Slow Design in Interior Design & Decorative Lighting
For those who lead busy lives and crave a stress-free environment, incorporating Slow Design into their homes can be a transformative experience. Slow design in interior design is the idea of creating spaces that are intentionally designed to promote connection with oneself.
It involves careful consideration of every aspect of the interior, from the colors of the walls and the textures of the furniture to the lighting of the entire home. The lighting, in particular, is an essential component in this transformation, as it sets the tone for the entire space with pieces like custom chandeliers and sculptural lighting that instantly create a unique atmosphere.
In contemporary decorative lighting design, Slow Design involves the conscious effort of designers to connect with dedicated artisans who prioritize sustainable materials. From 3D modeling through hand-cast porcelain to stunning textiles, Slow Design in lighting incorporates a wide range of crafts to create designs that fit the exact need of the space they will be installed in.
The Benefits of Slow-Designed Home Interiors
A slow home is one that incorporates elements of slowness on various levels. Slow homes meld sustainability, practicality, and flexibility.
Slow Design allows us to buy and use objects thoughtfully. It makes us think about where a product came from and appreciate its qualities. Instead of being a passive consumer, Slow Design gives us the chance to help make the future more sustainable.
The benefits of incorporating Slow Design into your home include:
Increased well-being: Surrounding yourself with carefully-made and decorative objects can improve your quality of life and overall well-being.
Reduced waste: By investing in high-quality, sustainable products, you'll reduce the amount of waste generated in your home and the environment.
Supports creative communities: Buying slow-designed products supports creative communities and helps preserve traditional craftsmanship.
Investment in the future: Slow-designed products are made to last, so you're making an investment in your future as well as the future of the planet.
Unique style: Slow-designed objects create a unique and personal style that reflects your personality, values, and aesthetic.
Pressing Pause for a Mindful Living
In a world where everything is fast-paced and rushed, Slow Design offers a much-needed respite. It serves as a timely reminder that there is more to life than simply hoarding the newest products that we eventually discard in a short span of time. It’s about taking the time to appreciate the beauty of the world around us and to create products that will stand the test of time.
