Interview with head of institute Troels Degn Johansson of Product Design

Starting the school year 2014 KADK is organized in a new structure consisting of 7 new institutes. We have interviewed the 7 new heads of institute of the School of Architecture, School of Design and the School of Conservation as well as rector. Troels Degn Johansson is head of the institute Product Design.

1. What is special about your institute?
We show how design and fashioning meet. The rational and the pragmatic
from the technological colleges are united with sensibility and insight into the
artistic. We start a motion and allow, for instance, ceramics to unfold in several
scales – from the table to the building and out in the city.

2. What characterises the students at your institute?
They want to acquire skills within both worlds. Master the artistic and become
precise and have an understanding for context at the same time. Enter into
the spirit of both worlds, but also open up towards others. They are not afraid
to develop themselves, their ideas or the contexts in which they are a part.

3. Which role does your institute play in Danish art and culture?
We want to rethink and change cultural heritage. We make products that
interpret tradition and bring us to a new place. Products and solutions in the
Danes' everyday life that grab people's attention, making them think: I hadn't
thought of this; I didn't realise this was something you could do!

4. Which work/product or place do you associate with the institute?
First and foremost the workshops within fashion, ceramics and glass, where
students and staff meet around the material. And our inspiring seminars,
where students freely exchange thoughts and ideas with researchers, artists
and partners from the business community.