Designarkivet
National archive for design in Nybro, with sketches and drawings by Swedish designers, a summer exhibition and viewings.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Designarkivet was founded in 1978 as Arkiv för Svensk Formgivning (Archive for Swedish Design) on the initiative of Erik Broman, director of Kalmar konstmuseum. The aim was to rescue sketches, drawings and photographs from designers at a time when Swedish industry was undergoing major changes, and thereby to show the design process. The first curator was Inga Lindén, and the collection began with sketches by Arthur Percy. Later came, among others, around 15,000 archival items by Erik Höglund.
Until 2006 the archive was housed in the old premises of Kalmar konstmuseum. It then moved to the Pukebergsområdet in Nybro, in the former Pukebergs glasbruk (glassworks), following an initiative by Nybro Municipality to create a centre for design, art and crafts. The archive changed its name to Designarkivet at the same time.
The collection consists mainly of sketches, drawings, photographs, correspondence, diaries and reference material from designers working in Sweden, in fields including interior design, furniture design, graphic design and product design. Each year exhibitions are produced together with Kalmar konstmuseum, and in summer a current exhibition is shown with guided tours. Designarkivet is part of Kalmar konstförening (Kalmar Art Association).
Highlights
- National collection of sketches and drawings by Swedish designers
- Material by, among others, Arthur Percy and Erik Höglund
- Summer exhibition with guided tours
- Archive viewings by arrangement
- Database with a digitised collection
Permanent exhibition
- Designarkivets samling – Archive with sketches, drawings, photographs and reference material from Swedish designers, available at archive viewings.
- Founded
- 1978
- Operated by
- Kalmar konstförening
Admission & discounts
| Adults | SEK 50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | SEK 40Young people and pensioners |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 20 · Free admission for those under 21. |
| Seniors | SEK 40 |
| Students & apprentices | SEK 40 |
| Groups | SEK 40 per personAdult groups pay SEK 850 per viewing plus SEK 40 per person (evenings and weekends SEK 850 extra, workshop SEK 500 extra). Universities and folk high schools SEK 500 per viewing; compulsory and upper secondary schools in Kalmar County free of charge. |
Members of Kalmar konstförening have free admission. During Konst runt (Art Round) on 12–13 September 2026 admission was free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The archive is on the ground floor without thresholds and has a door opener at the entrance; the whole archive can be reached by wheelchair or mobility scooter. There is an accessible toilet with a shower, and another in the corridor with a changing table. There is no induction loop. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Pukeberg Glasbruk
Öresundståg, SJ and Krösatågen serve Nybro station; from there it is about 2 km on foot, or Kalmar County public transport bus 601 to the Pukeberg Glasbruk stop. From Kalmar, bus 131 goes to the Glasbruksgatan stop, about 700 m from Designarkivet.
Follow the sign “Designarkiv” in Pukeberg; from Vetlanda and Orrefors (road 31) drive through Nybro centre and follow the signs towards Pukeberg/Designarkiv.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The neighbour Café Hos Oss serves fika and lunch; the restaurant is open every day 11:00–15:00.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 50 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | In summer, guided tours of the current exhibition are offered (at most 20 people); at other times archive viewings can be booked (at most 10 people). A viewing takes about 50 minutes, with a workshop 1–1.5 hours. Booking: bokningar@designarkivet.se. |
