“It’s been a tough time for the design industry in Norway over the last few years. But now we see light at the end of the tunnel. This autumn, the Fair will be back in Oslo, to help facilitate trade and networking—and to get people inspired.”

Silje Låveg is Project Lead at the Oslo Design Fair, one of the most important arenas for the design, architecture, and interiors industry in Norway, which takes place twice a year.

“The Fair is here to increase all our participants’ knowledge through strong professional and sensory experiences. Of course, we’re primarily a purchasing fair, so our fundamental goal is to help exhibitors sell their products. But, more broadly, we see our role as about spreading inspiration and ensuring everyone who attends bubbles with new energy and joy.”

There sure is a lot to get attendees inspired at the event this August, held in the NOVA Spektrum convention centre in Lillestrøm.

Exhibitors who sign up are organised by product category, such as furniture, interiors, food and drink, paper, and jewellery. There’s an area—known as Brand New—that’s dedicated to exciting new exhibitors who have never previously attended the Fair. Plus, there’s an additional space for “Design Talents”, young designers who have their own collection or a prototype they want to share. Alongside the more established names in Norwegian design, the space provides an opportunity to shine a light on emerging talents.

Yet attendees won’t just find professional exhibitors at the Fair. Instead, they can expect a running programme of lectures and public conversations, where designers, architects, and producers will share their take on the industry and upcoming trends.

Again, the goal here is to inspire. Silje hopes the star-studded list of events will help attendees to “smile from ear to ear”.

“It will be an educational programme with professional updates and inspirational ideas, hosted by the fashion culture historian and journalist, Ragnhild Brochmann. This year, the focus will be on trends and tendencies, colours, form, and specifically on how Norwegian industrial brands can succeed together with Norwegian designers.”

Finally, there will be a trend exhibition too, based on a theme chosen specifically for 2024: elements. It’s a theme selected in collaboration with this year’s trend exhibition designers—the Norwegian architecture studio, A-Lab.

“This year’s trend exhibition will explore how we can handle different elements to create spaces that are functional, inviting, and inspiring,” says Silje.

“It will use materials from reuse in the building materials industry, woven together with finished goods to form a cohesive aesthetic and experience for those visiting the fair. The entire exhibit will be unified by four elements: an holistic architectural approach, surprising effects, a focus on spatiality, and reuse.”

As such, sustainability and circularity will be major elements that inform the exhibition too.

“We have a consistent circular focus in everything we do at the Oslo Design Fair. We reuse all materials as much as we can, from the planning to the setup and takedown of the exhibitions,” Silje continues.

“This approach is in line with our overall vision: “lasting value”. For example, during the trend exhibition, we’re collaborating with Ombygg, a company that retrieves fully usable materials from the construction industry. Then, when the Fair is over, all the materials will be cleaned of nails and screws and returned to them. It’s one way we can reduce our environmental impact.”

Ombygg and A-Lab are not the only collaborators helping to make this year’s Fair extra-special, however. Also taking part in the on-stage programme are the Oslo Architects Association, Grafill, Oslo Runway, and Novooi, who will help to select participants for the Design Talents scheme. Plus, Jotun, the paint manufacturer, will be working with the Fair’s creative team to colour the entire exhibition.

“We’re integrating all these players and elements to create a thrilling event where exhibitors and attendees can buy and sell goods, inspire each other, and develop their businesses. We’re excited to help develop trade and growth in the industry—and ensure that Norway is a great place to do business,” Silje says.

“As I mentioned, recent years have been full of challenges for the Norwegian design industry, thanks to high costs and interest rates, weaker exchange rates, and reduced earnings for many.

“But now, we have a lot of hope for the future. We’re pleased to be receiving lots of enquiries from returning exhibitors and brands that haven’t participated in the fair before. And we’re expecting to support the industry’s growth, to help Norwegian design stay profitable, diverse, and inspiring.”