The Slanted team went to Amsterdam to check out the design scene and fell for the charm of the
city's century-old bruine kroegen (brown cafes). Seeking refuge after bike rides to design
studios they were quickly won over by the cozy ambiance dark wood old-fashioned decor and
the aroma of fried croquettes. Color and form play an important role in Amsterdam's design
which is egalitarian and serves the masses. Design is ubiquitous in Amsterdam from the bike
path to the police cars and even the city crest. The maze of canals and the upcoming
neighborhoods are characterized by muted tones dominated by black cobblestones and dark
brick. Behind the facades it rattles. The Dutch have always let it rip. The orange is more
intense the red more luminous the black more brutal. Design is radical it crashes it
vibrates. There are few places where color and form play such an important role. Design is
innovative modern functional and spiced with a pinch of humor. Design is about
egalitarianism not reserved for the wealthy elite. Design serves the masses. And so it happens
that everything is professionally designed. The bike path the kebab stand the tax return form
the police cars the park benches and trash cans the vegetables. In its 41st issue Slanted
gathers a selection of Amsterdam's most brilliant minds and provides deep insights into their
work and values in the magazine and in the numerous video interviews. Illustrations interviews
essays and an extensive appendix with many useful tips and an overview with the best Dutch
writings complete the issue thematically.
