What comes in your mind when you think of Finland? The birch trees stretching into the skies? The emotional movie "Kamome Diners" based in Helsinki? The lovable character 'Moomin' known all around the world? Perhaps you might recall the famous Xylitol gum commercial featured on TV a long time ago. However, I think for those of you who have visited 3CLAPS before would think of Finland's design and living brands.
Finland is commonly acknowledged as the design nation. Finland's designs are recognized around the world to be practical and aesthetically pleasing. Finnish furniture and tableware do not have fancy designs but they give a sense of security to its surroundings and they are pleasing to look at for prolonged periods of time. They also greatly raise the object's natural functionality so to boost the user's satisfaction. Finnish design products satisfy both categories of being beautiful and functional, and they are growing popular every day due to the current generations demand for minimalist products. This design know-how in Finland was not perfected in a day, however.
The Finns have been constantly contemplating ways to coexist without destroying the natural environment given to them. You can see the recycling and flea market culture deeply embedded in their lives. They want to use valuable things for a long time. Such thoughts can be gleaned through their design. We focus on the original purpose rather than the embroidered design with colorful decoration, and pursue sustainable design for a long time. Their furniture is made from natural materials such as birch, which can be obtained from nature. Or we can design with the inspiration of the nature like the Savoy vase that Alva Alto designed in the lake. It is not an exaggeration to say that it starts from nature and converges to nature. This design is unbelievably sophisticated in its design 80 years ago and never hurts the convenience of the user. Their design that conforms to nature can be said to be a design that cares about people, society, and the environment while considering the future
Finnish design with a rustic beauty that is not gorgeous but permeates into everyday life. Let's dig deeper through the designers and brands that represent each sector.
Alvar Aalto
"The old does not reproduce anything as it is. But it will never disappear. "
Avar Aalto, the legendary architect, can not help but forget about Finnish design. Especially Helsinki is a city full of legacy left by Alba Alto. He designed 15 landmarks and typical landmarks in Helsinki only, and Alto University named him, and his face is engraved on the old Finnish banknotes, so he is a national architect who is really in love with the Finns. I will. He designed not only architecture but also objects such as furniture, fabric, and vase.
The stool 60 is his masterpiece. The stool 60 was a unique and innovative product that brought the shock of the design world at the time of its announcement in 1933, although today's look may seem fairly plain and simple. Until then, it was common for stools to have four legs or X-shaped legs. On the other hand, the stool 60 was constructed to connect the three legs made of bent birds to the shape of the top by screws and screws. The production technology at that time was an amazing idea and challenge.
It has more strength to withstand load than ordinary straight legs, so it has excellent durability. Designed with simple components, it was also advantageous for mass production and distribution, and it was a versatile design that made it easier to store and store, making space efficiency even better! The stool 60 has been in production from the furniture company Artek for more than 80 years since its first announcement and has been loved by people all over the world. It can be said that it is a synonym for the timeless design that spans the times.
ittala / ARABIA FINLAND
Ittala is a professional manufacturer of practical and beautiful utensils and utensils that started in 1881 as a glass factory in Ittala, Finland. In the early days, the daughter created a product based on European traditional glass crafts law and produced a design that emphasized ornamental design. Then, this daughter is transformed, too, as Kaj Frank, Alba Alto and his wife Aino Aalto started designing. They pursued a "sustainable" design backed by a simple beauty and durability than a colorful design.
ARABIA FINLAND is a pottery brand owned by the Ida Group. But the beginning of Arabia dates back to 1873. The history of the pottery company of Sweden, Rostrand Rorstrand, started in Helsinki with its production base for Russian exports. They will grow big enough to produce nearly 50% of the pottery of Finland in the first two years of establishment.
It is no exaggeration to say that the design that led to the present of this daughter and Arabia began with Kai Frank. He thought that design should be equal and routine for everyone. Such a philosophy is revealed in Kilta Kilta series, tableware that shows a combination of three basic shapes and a bright color of circle, square and rectangle. Quilta is a simple and unobtrusive form, and it is harmonious with other dishes and it is very practical and price was reasonable regardless of one use. At the time of the first encounter with the kiln, the consumers did not react very well to the simple design that broke the traditional ceramics typology. However, he brings up the design Scandinavian modernism that emphasizes the approach and practicality of basic forms, with the philosophy that "color is the only decoration". Since then, the Kilma series has been revamped and sold as the Teema (as the Arabian Finlna merged with Ittala) and is still considered the most representative series of Ittala's "sustainable" design.
Johanna Gullichsen
Johanna Gullichsen is a Finnish textile designer sticking to the handcrafted method of direct loom. She continues the tradition of Scandinavian textiles and introduces a new interpretation with modern design. Johanna Gullichsen Textile Craft & Design, selected as the Helsinki Design District, is a company that provides textiles and daily life accessories made for the modern people. Bold but simple geometric patterns, natural materials from Finland and a calm color scheme are combined, not only in Finland but also around the world. Perhaps the popularity of Johanna Gullichsen will be in a modern interior, a traditional interior, and a sense of stability that naturally blends into any place. It is in line with Finnish design philosophy that emphasizes sustainable design that does not bother over time.
Johanna Gullichsen explains her approach to design as follows:
"Handcrafted work using a loom inspires exploration of techniques and patterns. That's the source of most of my designs. Craft is a living tool that can not be missed by my design story.
I am especially interested in the structure of the fabric. Even if the end product looks simple, I am attracted to technically demanding designs. The products I designed are nothing more than a textile itself, a material itself, or a pattern itself. "
There are three Finnish designs I've introduced so far, and the philosophies embedded in them. It is nothing more than the direction of 3CLAPS seeking a lifestyle with a relaxed and relaxed focus on their own taste without being influenced by the fashion of the times.
In the future, I will introduce fashion and living items which can feel the taste and sensitivity of the daily life in your near daily life. Also, I would like to introduce the themes that the family members can sympathize with.
