Social and Political Prerequisites for the Development of Industrial Design in Croatia and Finland

Abstract

The article compares the developmental path of industrial design in Croatia and in
Finland in light of socio–political circumstances. The development of industrial design
in Finland has made possible (1) the existence of a democratic state and market economy, (2) an established system of design education, (3) government support for the education system, for the implementation of design in industry and for the international promotion of design, as well as (4) the existence of institutions and organizations which support design and act as a link between design and industry. The fact that conditions of this kind did not exist in Croatia for almost the entire second half of the 20th century is the main reason for our falling behind Finland in the development and implementation of design in industry.