FURNITURE SCALE MODELS INSPIRED by Finnish Design Classics 2022: Näyttely kalusteiden pienoismalleista

“At the end of the day I did not focus on creating a new and extravagant design but spent my time perfecting the craftsmanship in the workshop which I believed translated into the new design. ” say students of Furniture Design Models course.

International exchange students together with industrial design students have analyzed Finnish design classics in Furniture Design Models course. Students were inspired by classic works by designers like Alvar Aalto (Paimio chair), Tapio Wirkkala (1958 X-leg table), Yrjö Kukkapuro (Experiment and A-509 rocking chair), Eero Saarinen (Tulip chair), Ilmari Tapiovaara (Lounge chairs for Paolo Arnabold), Pipsan Saarinen Swanson (Sol-Air sling chair), Liisi Beckmann (Karelia easy chair), Eero Aarnio (Pony seat) and even younger generation designer like Markku Salo (Hot Dog glass bottle), Maija Puoskari (Hiippa), Hanna Anonen (Cocktail lampshade).

Students created new furniture designs based on their analyses of the classics.
During the Spring semester, they have worked on mock-up models and finally they have made scale models of their designs. Various techniques have been tested such as bending and molding plywood, bending and sport-welding metal. This year's course focused especially on recycled materials, and the materials used were mainly wood and metal. Students explain that “Quick paper models and three dimensional sketching works best for the ideation process: it gives insight into what could be, and that there are endless possibilities for an interesting design.”. Miniature scale models 1:6 of these designs are presented in the exhibition.