Journal Entry 1 – Marketing Simplicity

The first thing I noticed when I arrived in Copenhagen was the change in marketing and simplicity. By creating a reductive imaging and text style, small brands can convey their brand quickly without hiding what they sell behind heavy marketing or branding. The coloring in most of the brands was also one note, as most only used one color to show off the message rather than the branding.

The brand on the left is labeled “size?” with a huge emphasis on the exclamation mark. This brand was a shoe store and gave the consumer a straightforward form of marketing, which immediately told the consumer what size shoe they wanted. What also intrigued me about this brand was how they made their name a question instead of relying on the same label for what they were selling. This made them stand out in general, but creates a confusing atmosphere about what they are selling, unless you enter the store.

On the right, there is a simple yet eye-grabbing array of images that show off the events, drinks, and food items within their establishment. They also show off the name of their brand at the bottom, but put what the building contains at the top to entice the consumer with what is inside the building. Another example that stood out to me, which I don’t have an image of, was the local bars around the area, which had big signs out front saying bar in big letters. I not only found this type of marketing to be hysterical but also quite effective, as every bar down the street was filled with life.

In the U.S., branding is centered around creating a recognizable brand while also creating a clear and quality image. But in Copenhagen, there are a plethora of small businesses that have trouble standing out to the public, so they create large and recognizable features that attract the average consumer. This, however, won’t always work for larger companies, but it works tremendously for smaller brands that acquire smaller businesses.

Journal Entry 2 – Copenhill

Copenhill was a true highlight for me on this trip. With its resourceful recycling, Copenhill can generate electricity whilst creating a fun time by making a skiing and snowboarding hill. Copenhill is made from recycled plastics and metals, which is a perfect example of how Denmark uses its trash to expand their land and construction. With a giant smoke-stack, this structure burns plastics and other recyclables, causing smoke to push turbines within the building, which creates energy, powering thousands of homes across the area. This is a much more resourceful way of recycling compared to the U.S., due to the country only having one recycling bin and dangerous ways of burning trash. If you look at each of the images, you can see the burning trash erupting from the smoke stack, generating power for the city.

Not only does Copenhill recycle in a very efficient and resourceful way. They build homes, expand land, and even find ways to have fun. Copenhill is a massive ski slope, stretching 450 meters in length. The ski slope is made of plastic, which allows most skiers and snowboarders to use it at any time of year due to its smooth surface.

Another feature that stood out to me was the giant rock climbing wall that’s attached to the tall side of the building. This creates another fun aspect to Copenhill and creates another fun use for recyclable materials. The rock climbing wall is a staggering 85 meters tall, with a challenging course of extreme verticals.

Copenhill creates a productive environment that gets rid of trash in a resourceful way. By generating electricity and providing a fun time, Copenhill continues to be a masterfully designed building that continues to attract thousands of tourists and locals per year. This was a truly beautiful and efficient build, which inspires me to do better at throwing away trash.

Journal Entry 3 – Water Filtration

One striking feature about Copenhagen is its unique way of using storm drains and gutters. The gutters are used to care for the city’s reserves. Rather than treating drainage with the same care as the United States does, they integrate water and manage it in a resourceful way. Rainwater is guided through the streets in order to be absorbed into the drain to be used in the reserve, holding the water instead of disposing it. The result of this is both beautiful and functional.

This reflects on Scandinavian design. In Copenhagen, a drain is not just a piece of engineering, but a larger system that helps to contribute to the appearance, usability, and environmental impact of the city. The United States had the goal of moving stormwater elsewhere. This was through underground pipes, which wasted water but also kept the streets from flooding. Copenhagen had other plans; they have learned to take stormwater and made it useful. Parks, train stations, and other public areas are filled with flood control drains, which make the city more resilient to flooding. As the United States works towards removing rainwater, the Danes continue to be ahead of the curve.

This idea of extreme stormwater management caused the city of Copenhagen to innovate. A well-known example of this kind of innovation is the conversion of stormwater into beer, clean wash water, and drinking water. This proves that any “waste” water can easily be reused and can be used for safe consumption. In all, Copenhagen’s drainage system illustrates that recycling can happen and can improve everyday life. Even something as minimal as a gutter can be an incredible example of Scandinavian design and innovation.

Journal Entry 4 – Bodega’s

One interesting comparison that stood out to me was the difference between the United States and Scandinavia with bodegas. In popular cities such as New York or San Francisco, bodegas are known as small convenience stores that sell household items and food while also providing a social interaction. However, a bodega in Scandinavia is different as it represents a neighborhood landmark and bar for others to gamble for a social and fun experience.

While Scandinavia doesn’t have bodegas in a traditional or cultural sense, as in the United States, many neighborhoods contain small markets that serve a similar purpose. Bodegas have developed through entrepreneurship throughout urban communities. These affordable social areas were staples in Scandinavian neighborhoods. These places were normally incorporated between housing and restaurants, allowing easy access and essential services.

Bodegas fill most social and economic gaps by responding to the local demand. Copenhagen is run on convenience and is often shown everywhere in the city itself. Residential areas are designed to have everything you need within a couple of blocks, causing no struggle to get the necessary resources to live an everyday life. Every day resources such as the train, grocery stores, and bodegas are only a simple walk away.

From a design and social perspective, the bodega plays a vital role in urban life. They reduce stress and cause the neighborhood to become more connected. Bodegas represent adaptability and community infrastructure, which is designed with full accessibility to the community.

Overall, Bodegas proves that design can extend beyond just a building. These buildings create a community and help boost the economic system with cheap beer and booze. Accessibility in Copenhagen plays an important role, and the bodega is a perfect example and has become one of the major goto’s in urban life.

Journal Entry 5 – Castles

The major castle that stood out to me was the Frederiksborg Castle. This building showed off a blend of Renaissance and Scandinavian architecture. Built in the 17th century, the castle was designed to be shown as a royal residence and a symbol of central power throughout Denmark.

What strikes me the most about this castle is its relationship with its setting. The castle is set on a lone island, surrounded by a moat. As you approach the castle, it almost feels theatrical with its beautiful symmetry and design. The top of each tower is made with oxidized copper, which is a common theme in old Danish design. Copper is a symbol of historical prestige and the celebration of time, crowned on many churches and castles throughout Scandinavia.

As of today, this castle is no longer a symbol of monarchy but rather a national historical monument. Open to the public, I was able to see all the historically significant pieces relevant to that time, shifting the castle from a royal environment to a public space for education.

The small hills that surround the castle create a natural yet whimsical atmosphere for the buildings’ infrastructure. Ultimately, this castle operates as a multi-layered structure of design, showing off historical symbols and representing a monarch of power. This castle also showed how they viewed life, by showing off oxidized copper, which represents the celebration of time, which was a common practice among most Danes.

Journal Entry 6 – Tivoli Gardens

A memorable place that I visited throughout my time in Copenhagen was the infamous Tivoli Gardens. Although it is an amusement park, it differs heavily from your average theme park in the United States. Tivoli Gardens combines rides, gardens, and restaurants into a small enclosed area. Creating a social and entertaining environment. What impressed me the most about the theme park was how it was able to fit so much content into such a small theme park. On the right, you can see my favorite ride within the establishment, which is a pirate-themed ride that goes up and down with a wooden rollercoaster feeling. On the left is a sky swing, which is similar to one of the rides in Elitch Gardens.

Another thing that stood out to me about Tivoli was the design itself. The park has pathways, gardens, ponds, and areas for seating, which encourage consumers to spend time within the environment to have fun and engage socially. Instead of stopping and waiting to ride the next attraction, I found myself gazing at the beautiful architecture and decorations before me. The layout does more than your average theme park; it allows you to walk around and observe the layout around you while also having restaurant and bars around every corner.

Another element I found in the theme park that was interesting was the nightlife. When the sun went down, the theme park lit up with beautiful fairy lights everywhere. The atmosphere seemed inviting and cheerful, and created an emotional experience like no other. This night element showed off how the world of design really treat you to such beauty.

Comparing Tivoli Gardens to your average theme park in the United States not only shows a difference in design but also shows a difference in design priorities. Many theme parks in the United States focus on making large attractions, drawing the consumer towards one thing at a time. But Tivoli Gardens attracts the consumer towards a plethora of different elements, giving the user a more genuine and more eye-grabbing experience.

Journal Entry 7 – Chairs

A major furniture piece that stood out to me on my trip to Scandinavia was the way they design chairs. When I went to the Danish Museum of Design, I saw a huge array of chairs which were all unique and telling in their own ways. Each form of craftsmanship shared a new way of simplicity and functionality, which focused on a different form of decoration and setting. Each chair also highlighted natural materials and thoughtful construction throughout the design. The chairs are unique because they show off a balance of comfort, design, and human nature. These chairs did more than focus on visually pleasing the audience or modern consumer, but also appealed to human needs. Most of the designs felt welcoming and luxurious, even with some of the chairs affordability.

Comparing these designs to the modern-designed chairs in the United States showed a plethora of different qualities and designs. American chairs and furniture focused more on size, comfort, and mass marketing appeal, with its reliance on comfort and bulkier elements. Danish chairs focused more on contrast, simplicity, and longevity. Danish chairs also use fewer materials while still maintaining the structure of what makes the chair Scandinavian in the first place. While the chairs in the United States prioritize comfort and relaxation more than beauty, Danish-designed chairs focus more on the same aspect, but also prioritize beauty.

Another striking feature about these chairs was how they were also used for social values as well. Furniture made in Denmark isn’t simply an object for reflecting on the past, but is a piece dedicated to lasting for social life as well. Through these designs, I can see how Danish designers can create a timeless piece of furniture that still works perfectly in a social and decorative setting. Most chair designs in Denmark haven’t changed due to the chair’s perfection; these impactful pieces are made with the user in mind.

Journal Entry 8 – Silverware

While visiting the Museum of Design in Copenhagen. While browsing through the exhibits, something caught my eye that I had also learned throughout the lectures. As I paid attention to the clean lines and balanced proportions, I realized that each piece had no decorations, unlike most traditional silverware that we see today. This set represented functionality and elegance through its formation.

One major fact that stood out to me about the lecture I had taken on my trip through Copenhagen was the fact that Denmark played a very important role in the creation and production of flatware, which is still being used today. Most Danish designers had focused mainly on comfort and durability instead of decoration. This stands out to me more as most Danish designs, such as chairs, tables, and other kinds of Danish furniture, were created for durability, comfort, and decoration for social situations. Instead, Scandinavian designers went with an approach that could improve everyday experiences while remaining simple and practical.

Compared to common silverware in the United States, Scandinavian flatware is built for practicality with a refined design. On the other hand, United States silverware is made with fancy engravings, thicker handles, and a set of more traditional patterns. Most flatware in Scandinavia focuses on balanced proportions with a minimalist approach.

This exhibit not only reinforced an important and memorable part that I had learned during my lecture, but also showed me a physical example that I can see in person. Witnessing this flatware in person had made me realize how something simple, such as silverware, doesn’t need to be fancy but rather functional because there is no reason to reinvent the wheel. With its timeless aesthetic, this form of flatware is still used in most Danish citizens’ lives and continues to become a comfortable yet functional piece.

Journal Entry 9 – Housing

While walking through the residential neighborhood of Denmark, I noticed how different the housing felt compared to the United States. The houses I photographed have the same architecture that I had experienced with every building and home that I had encountered throughout my trip in Copenhagen. Each building has big windows with triangular roofs, which create a welcoming atmosphere and a great representation of their history. Walking through the neighborhood, I didn’t notice any place to park cars but on the street, the area was more bike accessible, rather than for cars.

One massive difference that I had noticed while observing these buildings was how close together they were. Instead of spreading homes across from each other, taking up more space than necessary. Homes in Copenhagen are built right next to each other to prioritize living. Creating these living quarters so close to each other created a social element to these living situations as well. By doing so, residents are forced to interact with each other more often instead of commuting in a private domicile meters away from each other like in the United States.

The graffiti-covered building shows off a timeless perspective, showing how even older buildings looked the same. The buildings on the left used to resemble a fire station. Even though these now resemble homes, they look the same, and they don’t take up tons of space in the neighborhood.

The Danes have perfected living in a social sense while also keeping the neighborhoods packed without cramming people together. These neighborhoods have been the same for years and still continue to be used and operated today, what an incredible sight to see.