Deutscher Werkbund

In 1906 it became clear at the Deutsche Kunstgewerbeausstellung that Jugendstil was being overtaken by a style that emphasized function rather than aesthetics. A year later, the Deutscher Werkbund was founded. Peter Bruckmann was the first chairman of the Deutscher Werkbund. Inspired by Morris, this association advocated well-designed products. The aim was to create a completely new visual language, instead of going back to styles from the past. They looked for ways to combine good design with mass production. The group consisted essentially of twelve designers and twelve manufacturers, but within a year the number of members grew to about five hundred. The association published books with articles and illustrations by members with the aim of stimulating collaboration between art and industry.

Disagreements persisted within the group about the production of craft and industrial designs. One group advocated standardization of design, while the other group advocated individualism. However, after the First World War, it became clear that there was a strong demand for standardized production, even though members continued to oppose it. During Richard Riemerschmid's presidency, a functionalist approach to design emerged that led to Functionalism. The Deutscher Werkbund was dissolved in 1934. In 1947 an attempt was made to re-establish the association, but it had largely lost its influence.