I am an ignorant research student trying to make some sense into your
debate. Is Rob Curedale really saying that Ikea´s model is good?
The way I see Ikea´s model is this: Western designers design trendy (and
often desposable) stuff, which is then manufactured in South East Asia. The
result: cheap prices, bad quality - and goodbye to local furniture
production.
It seems to me that in today´s world affordable design is "ikealised"
design - because the majority of consumers just dont want to pay what the
products are really worth.
Even lego blocks are made in China these days.
Kati Reijonen
Research Student
Gray´s School of Art
Robert Gordon University
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