Monocle reports from The Danish Design School

With design playing a more integrated role in government and business strategy around the world, Monocle magazine hunts down the establishments spear-heading new movements and others that are keeping traditional ones alive. The Danish Design School kicks in at the top 5

In 2008 Monocle announced Copenhagen a winner of Monocle’s Most Liveable City. The Danish capital left major centres like London and New York trailing in its wake in a report by lifestyle magazine Monocle. And now Monocle is back in Denmark with a feature of The Danish Design School.

Schools of Thought: Modern design and education

Governments all over the world have adopted design in to their official stategy for economical development. This isn't design in sense of clever utensils or good furniture, though it's born from the same idea: problem-solving.

”Design education is crucial to this development, breeding a new generation of students who might not be able to make a chair but know how to spot a problem and solve it” – Monocle 2010.

Monocle's set out on a quest to find this new generation. And found it all around the world: From Stanford, Moscow and California to Tongij (via The Aalto University in Finland) and The Danish Design School located in Copenhagen.

Multi-disciplinary ways to improve life

"Design in its updated role might be far-reaching in its scope but it's equally vital not to lose sight of where it all began", Monocle concludes.

”We see an overall growing interest from the world around us, and it's a well-earned pat on the back as well as valuable pointers for future developments," Rector Anne-Louise Sommer, The Danish Design School.

"Our students are all part of this change in design. But it's important to keep the balance. So, while some students might still design an exquistite piece of furniture, many end up as project leaders on multidisciplinary teams. Our students are craving to improve the world, rather than impose any one design ideology".

"And the best part is that this is recognized all over the world: Our students are involved in projects that improves life: From Marocco where students improve the socioeconomic situation of craftwomen, to new digital innovations to the latest research based collaborations where students work to improve the life for people with Alzheimer's discease".