After the COVID-19 lockdown and the proliferation of digital meetings, technological capabilities have been accelerated. We have become adept at viewing the world through screens, with many eagerly embracing new technical features. The latest wave is driven by AI, evoking equal parts fascination and concern. The metaverse offers new meeting platforms and branding opportunities for international businesses, allowing anyone to question chatbots, and the potential for leveraging these tools seems boundless.

Simultaneously, we continue to celebrate analogue experiences, materials, and the sensory aspects of these. Craft has never been more popular on an international level. The need to practice a craft is on the rise, and the mental and physical benefits of doing so are being documented and researched. In other words, there is a resurgence of material-based art and craft.

Therefore, it might surprise some that Formkraft and the Danish Craft and Design Association, with Biennale 2023, are focusing on conversion, digital craft, and artificial intelligence. The explanation is simple. Craftsmen and designers have always been curious about new materials, techniques, and methods. Through this curiosity, they develop forms, aesthetics, functionality, and art. When you delve into Formkraft’s archives, the ongoing fascination and incorporation of new technologies and tools are evident, from the introduction of computers to 3D printing and Virtual Reality. Digital tools are now a natural part of the toolkit in the craft and design field.

An Energy Issue

We also need to address sustainability and the responsibility that comes with creating products – both physical and digital. The internet emits as much CO2 as the entire global air traffic. While we celebrate technological possibilities, we are using a considerable amount of energy without considering the environmental impact. Just like with physical products, it is imperative that we think about the virtual and digital products we create and why. One might boldly say that if virtual and digital products are not used, or only minimally used, we have wasted a lot of energy that could have been put to better use. And even more daringly, if they are produced solely with growth and increased sales in mind, we miss an opportunity to develop a new paradigm that values long lifespan, high frequency of use, responsibility, and thoughtfulness in relation to the products we acquire.

And what about the time we spend on screens or in a digital world? Currently, it is discouraged for children under two years to spend any time with screens, even for a short period. What does that mean for us as adults, and what will it mean for our quality of life as the digital world becomes even more intertwined with the physical world?

Let’s work together and use the combination of craftsmanship and technology in design and craft to change the world, so that future generations can thrive here.

Read along as Formkraft explores digital possibilities and their impact on craft and design. Articles will be released continuously.

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