If you don't know his name, you probably know of his work. Verner Panton's iconic designs have noted him an innovator in furniture as well as atmospheric design. Deemed the "bad boy" of Danish design, Paton's rise as an icon in contemporary design broke through social convention. His take on design and its accessibility to others was his calling card. Obsessed with the needs of individuals, Panton believed that intelligent design should be available for the masses, and not merely set aside for the wealthy. 

A less successful experiment is preferable to a beautiful platitude”

The '60s was a time of the search for the psychedelic and social progress, Panton's design theory and ideals fit well within the needs of the time. Famously said, "A less successful experiment is preferable to a beautiful platitude.” A true optimist in the future of design and social mobility, Panton strived to create objects and spaces that provoked the senses. In his new monograph by Phaidon, writers Ida Engholm and Anders Michelson describe the designer's vision as "new systematic for experiencing life."

The relentless Danish designer made his point with designs like the 1967 iconic "S" chair and the "VP Globe". Recognizable for their distinct curvatures and effortlessly smooth finish, these pieces embodied Panton's approach to design nicknaming him the enfant terrible of his generation. A true innovator of form and color, Panton's designs also led him to become one of the first to construct a plastic chair out of a single form injection mold. 

As time progressed, Panton created lively and unapologetic interiors. Obsessed with learning how color would affect one's mood and perception, Panton worked with psychologists to understand psychoanalytic themes. Through his research, the rebellious designer challenged contemporary design and his peers. Of his most well-known interior works was Visiona 2. A visual spectacle, Vernon was commissioned by Bayer to design the interiors of an excursion boat. Noted to be one of the highlights of Panton's career, he transformed the space by creating a dreamlike environment. 

By focusing on the emotional experiences individuals would feel in their environments, Panton was a true believer in the power of the user. Many of Panton's pieces were designed to promote the autonomy of the public through spatial experiences.

"The main purpose of my work is to provoke people into using their imagination. Most people spend their lives in dreary, grey-beige conformity, mortally afraid of using colors. By experimenting with lighting, colors, textiles and furniture and utilizing the latest technologies, I try to show new ways to encourage people to use their phantasy and make their surroundings more exciting."

Fearless and unapologetic, Panton was a true master of color. Although practicality was not a focal point in his work, Panton aimed at transforming space in a way many designers during his time had not dreamed of. Categorizing much of his work as avant garde, he broke from tradition and shared his take on contemporary expression with the world.