IKEA and Phaidon, Us & Our Planet – Two Sides

“This is how we live: stories to inspire change”

Phaidon, a leading global publisher of the creative arts, has released a new book in collaboration with IKEA, titled Us & Our Planet. The book explores how people globally are creating more sustainable and happier ways of living.

“Us & Our Planet introduces everyday people – activists, artists, athletes, and gardeners, from New York to Nigeria, Bali to Beirut – who are finding new ways to live more sustainably. Their stories will inspire you to make changes, big and small. Together, we can make a difference.” – Phaidon

Who Are Phaidon And IKEA?

Founded in 1923, Phaidon is the principal global publisher of the creative arts. Working with the world’s most influential authors, they produce innovative books on art, photography, design, architecture, fashion, food, travel, and illustrated books for children. Phaidon has a long and distinguished history as an art-book publisher with over 1,500 titles in print.

IKEA is a Swedish-founded, multinational business that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and home accessories, among other goods and home services. IKEA has been the world’s largest furniture retailer since 2008.

How Sustainable Is IKEA?

“Well, more sustainable every day.” IKEA has made a number of efforts to be more sustainable, with home solar panels, veggie hot dogs, kitchen fronts made from recycled plastic bottles, and various energy-saving solutions.

We’re paving the way for more sustainable homes for the many. We believe that people should feel empowered to live more sustainably, which is why we focus on inspiring change with affordable, recyclable, and energy-effective product design. Because, as Ingvar Kamprad once said: “No method is more effective than the good example.” – IKEA

IKEA In Print

In December 2020, Ikea announced the end of its paper catalogue. As symbolic as some of its products, the Ikea catalogue was iconic; and the announcement of discontinuing the catalogue had disturbed the world of graphic paper with little convincing merit on its environmental justifications for doing so. But paper could not disappear from IKEA’s marketing policy. With over 250 carefully crafted pages, Us & Our Planet presents a series of illustrated reports in the style of a contemporary photography book.

“Sustainability at its core is connected to everyday life at home, the resources we use and the objects that we engage with. As such, the book considers products that have epitomized IKEA’s ideas about what makes ‘good design’ over the past seventy-odd years.

Each product is inspired by the five dimensions of Democratic Design: a system created by IKEA to aid the development of products that embody good form, function, and quality, while also being sustainable and accessible to many at a low price.”

Whether it is to promote responsible consumption or its brand image, IKEA proves to us that paper remains the benchmark. Us & Our Planet is available for purchase through Phaidon, in addition to many IKEA stores.