Designer Harri Koskinen was born in Karstula, Finland in 1970 and quickly rose to prominence with designs that reflect his deep connection to Scandinavian design traditions. Koskinen studied industrial design at the University of Industrial Arts in Helsinki and gained recognition for his innovative approach to design. He has designed for the likes of Marimekko, iittala, and Artek, employing his wide ranging talent in a variety of contexts, from textiles to wristwatches. His work aims to blend functionality with minimalist aesthetics, with an emphasis on user experience.
Koskinen became especially known in the international design industry after creating the Block Lamp, launched in 1995. The lamp has the appearance of a frozen light bulb, creating a unique contrast between a hot bulb and icy glass. Two translucent glass blocks are hand-cast at high heat for durability and unique texture, while the shape of a lightbulb is completed when they are placed together. The Block Lamp has become a modern classic in the design world and has received numerous awards, and even became apart of MoMA’s permanent collection in 2020.
Koskinen also designed many long-standing objects for iittala, and was even appointed design director of of the brand in 2011. The first object he designed for iittala in 1996 was the futuristic candlestick, Atlas, which was made in several bright colors. The Atlas candlestick was part of the new colored glass production started at iittala at the end of the 1990s, when the plant began to use many new colors. In 1999, he created the elegant Lantern candle holder, which is still in production today. The large candle lanterns are marked by clarity of line and form that is a trademark of Finnish design. Today, Koskinen continues to design for several Finnish companies, using his talent to create objects that are beautiful and functional.
Source: iittala: 125 Years of Finnish Glass
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