Norwegian Presence 2021 by DOGA

First presented in 2015, Norwegian Presence gathers the best of Norway’s design and manufacturing in an annual showcase of the country’s contemporary creative scene and the values, infrastructure and materials that shape it. In the past, it has taken the form of a Milan Design Week exhibition, but in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, Norwegian Presence evolved into a dynamic and engaging digital event programme for 2021, with a stronger emphasis on sustainability, carbon reduction and circular design thinking than ever before.

Organised by DOGA (aka Design and Architecture Norway), the 2021 programme included three themed half-day events held in February, March and April 2021, all featuring the selected designers alongside international design thinkers in panel talks, films, and round-table discussions. Alongside the Norway-based designers who are developing intriguing new approaches to sustainable, low-carbon materials such as wood, stone and aluminium, Norwegian Presence also highlighted the manufacturers pioneering circular-design innovations and socially and environmentally conscious production processes. The products and people presented under the Norwegian Presence banner shone a spotlight on issues such as the use of resources, the importance of material quality, and the sustainability-driven, problem-solving approaches that many of Norway’s designers and makers are taking today.

Having worked on the campaigns for Norway’s Milan exhibitions since 2016 (and other Norwegian design exhibitions the world over since 2012), we were thrilled to join DOGA and co to help them develop the new online incarnation for their annual showcase. We helped the team plan and publicise the programme, evolved the themes for each of the three events, and ensured that Norwegian Presence’s exciting new platform and format got the international attention it deserved.

norwegianpresence.no/2021