A Successful Launch for Design Salon – Our First Gathering at Kunstnernes Hus!

Guests:

Ragnhild Grytten (Marketing Director, Norsk Industri)

Andreas Engelsvik (Designer & Founding Partner)

Cecilie Molvær Jørgensen (Senior Advisor, DOGA Norway)

Evening Moderator: Guro Røberg

Theme: “Our Future Design Story: How do we propel Norwegian design and manufacturing into a thriving future?”

On August 29, we marked an exciting milestone for Matre with the launch of our very first Design Salon, held in connection with our B2B debut at Kunstnernes Hus. It was an inspiring evening where leading voices from various industries came together to discuss the future of Norwegian design and manufacturing.

We explored how Norwegian design can adapt to a global market, enhance its competitiveness, and develop sustainable solutions that meet the demands of tomorrow. The discussions focused on how to foster innovation through cross-disciplinary collaboration, while also preserving and evolving Norwegian craft traditions in a modern context.

"One of our long-standing challenges – even before the oil era – has been our struggle with marketing ourselves as effectively as our neighboring countries. There’s a confidence and natural ease that others, especially the Danes, seem to possess. It’s almost innate – a cultural self-assurance that we, as a nation of farmers and fishermen, haven’t traditionally embraced in the same way.

We have all the right ingredients here in Norway – talent, tradition, and innovation. We just need to become a bit bolder in speaking up about it."

- Cecilie Molvær Jørgensen

Through engaging panel discussions and conversations, we explored key themes such as sustainability, Norwegian craft traditions, and how to elevate Norwegian design on a global scale. The importance of dialogue was emphasized – not only across levels of expertise and market positions, but also across industries. Creating an open space for initiative and creativity to grow is essential, something our Scandinavian neighbors have excelled at. We share a collective responsibility to champion Norwegian design, support local producers, and elevate Norwegian brands. In short – to be proud of who we are.

“What truly matters is value creation. We need to sustain both rural and urban communities – and that means we must consider the products we choose to invest in. What will we live off in the future? It’s about raising awareness – and that’s what we’re all working on: making decision-makers, both at home and abroad, more conscious. What is Norwegian design, and why are we the best at what we do?”
— Ragnhild Grytten

We see this as an important step toward establishing Design Salon as a space where creative and strategic forces can meet, discuss, and develop new solutions together. There’s no doubt that this evening was a success – so once again, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has joined us on this exciting journey so far. We look forward to what lies ahead!