Democratic Design Days is the yearly global press event at IKEA, where visitors get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into IKEA product development. During these days, IKEA shares new products, prototypes and announcements within fields such as design, art, sustainability, health, food, and more.

In 2019, the theme was ‘Make things better by making things better’. Yoke was asked to develop an interactive installation exploring the five dimensions of Democratic Design in a playful manner. The installation should reveal the meticulous effort it takes to develop a product that delivers on form, function, sustainability and quality at a price level people can afford.

The installation consists of six IKEA products embedded into a wall, making them visible from both sides. On one side of the wall, the finished products are displayed in full colour and with an introduction. On the other side of the wall, the same products are painted grey as a basis for an interactive projection revealing the story behind the products.

With a special torch, visitors can magically unfold the story of a product. A new animation appears by pointing the torch at an idle animation on the wall, revealing how the particular product reflects the five dimensions of Democratic Design. In this way, the installation expresses the values of IKEA by being playful, simple and smart.

‍

Location: Älmhult, Sweden
Photography: Yoke and IKEA Museum

‍