Leaving sketches behind: Annelie Sundfors

 

Name:  Annelie Sundfors        

Age: 21
Hometown:  Nykarleby, Finland

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a practical person that need variation in what I do. I now live in Turku and study here, but after my exam I think I am ready to go and look around and find other places that will give me new impressions and more inspiration. I moved here from a small town called Nykarleby in Ostrobothnia. Before I applied for Furniture design at Novia university of applied sciences I studied at an art line at a vocational secondary school ( bildartesan/ kuva- artesaani).

What got you interested in studying furniture design?

I express myself best through different kinds of art. Somewhere in the middle of my art studies I became more and more interested in graphic design, industrial design and product design. At some point we went on a class trip to Turku and went to see the furniture design line at Novia. While walking around the school I just got that feeling that this is what I want to study. So then I applied for it and I got in. It is fun and challenging to turn ideas into reality and have it ending up in a piece of furniture, to make pieces that people find attractive and actually want to have around in their daily life.

You as a designer / What kind of jobs interest you?

I like to work by myself as much as I like to work with a engaged group of people. I would say that a job where I get to use my strong sides and get to develop as a designer is important, but further exact what kind of job that would be I can´t say yet.

From what angle will you be approaching the theme "Senses"?

I chose to work with the touching sense and contrasts of different materials. Soft fabric braids meeting hard wood. Simply because I myself like when wood meet other different materials in a little unexpected way.

What do you hope for or expect from Stockholm Furniture Fair 2015?

To meet new people in the same line of business, students as well as professionals. Have a great time with my classmates and enjoy the fact that we have the opportunity to participate. Maybe I find someone to cooperate with, if I’m lucky.

Can you name a piece of furniture that has made an impression on you and why?

That’s a hard question. But if I have to name one, it would be the genius String shelf of Nils and Kajsa Strinning. It’s so simple and clean, fits in almost everyone’s home!

Leaving sketches behind: Jonatan Svenfors

Name: Jonatan Svenfors
Age: 22
Hometown: Larsmo


Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I'm a Swedish speaking Finn who was born in a small county in Ostrobothnia (eastern Finland) called Larsmo. I currently live in Turku because of my studies. I have a great social sphere here in Turku and therefore I don't know what to do when I graduate. I wouldn't mind being able to stay for a few more years in Turku.

What got you interested in studying furniture design?

The main reason I decided to start studying furniture design was to be able to design and create something myself. I have always been interested in design, architecture and art.

You as a designer / What kind of jobs interest you?

I'm not sure at this stage of my career what I'm going to do in the future, but some kind of freelancing job would probably be the most interesting. It's possible that I study even further after I have graduated to be able to get some more variety in my job.

From what angle will you be approaching the theme "Senses"?

The sense I have tried to simulate is balance. To do that I have made a shelf with shelves hanging in leather straps, which makes a swinging motion.

What do you hope for or expect from Stockholm Furniture Fair 2015?

I look forward to meet new people in the design business. I also look forward to see what other people have come up with. I hope I will get some really good acquaintances at the fair.

Can you name a piece of furniture that has made an impression on you and why?

Eero Aarnio's Ball Chair is a piece of furniture that is a bit special to me. Mostly because my parents have that chair, and it was a really fun chair to sit in when I was a kid. It reminds me of my childhood. But it hasn't inspired me that much in my own designing.

Leaving sketches behind: Jenni Enbacka

Name: Jenni Enbacka

Age: 21
Hometown: Närpes, Finland

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I grew up in the Finnish country side, with a little bit dirt under my nails, never afraid of using my hands. I went to school in a small town, took my matriculation examination in 2012 and moved to Turku to study furniture design the same year.

I’ve been working summers in many different branches but design and culture are the fields I find the most interesting. I am grateful for all kind of experience though. Experience, and not only working experience, helps me build an understanding perspective on things, which is useful in my work as a designer.

 

What got you interested in studying furniture design?
 

I chose to study design because there is something very fascinating about how an idea becomes a sketch and finally a product. I want to believe that all kind of jobs are creative to a certain point, but to specific work creatively with design as a different way of making the world a better place.

When I was a child people told me I had sharp eyes, noticing details and small things, so the visual has been with me all the way. As long as I remember all kinds of crafts have been pleasant, to make something creative and useful with my hands. I find both these traits useful when designing and good design has for a long time had my curiosity.

 

You as a designer / What kind of jobs interest you? 

My designs have clean lines and I like simplicity, quite Nordic, functionalistic and timeless. I think that beautiful furniture is important, but also that it should leave space for personal touch to the room and home. Furniture is not my only interest when it comes to design though. Lamps, interior, porcelain and jewelry, and maybe services are other things I would like to design someday.

 

From what angle will you be approaching the theme "Senses"?
 

To be active and not to sit too much in everyday life is trending. Anyway we tend to want to sit if we get the chance. I designed my piece of furniture with all this in mind, and I found balance as an inspiring sense. My rocking stool activates while sitting.

What do you hope for or expect from Stockholm Furniture Fair 2015?
 

I hope to get some good advice, contacts and a lot of experience. I want to grow as a designer through feedback and thoughts shared at the fair. I would be thrilled if a company shows interest towards my design. I’m excited, a bit nervous, but I think it will be educating and fun.

Can you name a piece of furniture that has made an impression on you and why?

That’s a tricky question, but first in my mind will be the Finnish designer Yrjö Kukkapuro’s Karuselli armchair. It’s a modern timeless classic with everything well-reasoned. It’s hard work well done, both aesthetically and ergonomically. You can notice that he really has worked with the human body in mind not leaving the visual appearance behind. And I like that it’s a bit playful and fun. Try it if you get the chance!

Leaving sketches behind: Tessa Sundqvist

Name:  Tessa Sundqvist 

Age: 24

Hometown:  Helsinki, Finland

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m a Swedish speaking Finnish furniture designer that was born in Sipoo but grew up in Helsinki.  Currently I live in Turku, but I don’t know where I’m going to live in the future.

I graduated from secondary school 2006, and then I traveled with bus every day from Helsinki to Porvoo for three years, so that I could become an Environment construction Artisan (Miljöbygge Artesán).

When I graduated from Borgå hantverks- och konstindustriskolan vocational school in 2009,  I still wanted to study more about design, so I applied to Novia University of Applied Sciences 2012 and will graduate 2016. 

What got you interested in studying furniture design?

My career probably started when I was 5 years old when I started to build playhouses in the forest. From that it developed into many hours of sketching fictitious furnished apartments and houses and now I’m studying to become a Furniture designer.

You as a designer / What kind of jobs interest you?

I have always been fascinated by different shapes, patterns and modern architecture. In all my designs I have gotten my inspiration from them, but also from everything that I see in my every day life.  My designs are modern and graphic, but if I design something for a costumer it depends on what the customer’s wishes are.

My dream has always been that I would get a job in an interior design agency or to someday run my own business, where I would design furniture and interiors.  That’s why I will try to get as much experience that I can get from my studies, by getting interesting internships and by putting all my effort in every project I participate in.

From what angle will you be approaching the theme "Senses"?

The sense that I have used in my table is touch, because you can feel the grain that goes in different directions and the joint between the triangles on the tabletop under your fingertips when you touch the surface.

What do you hope for or expect from Stockholm Furniture Fair 2015?

I will get the experience of having my own design displayed at a fair. And I hope I will get new contacts from my own field and hopefully find potential working partners.

Can you name a piece of furniture that has made an impression on you and why?

I have always been a huge Alvar Aalto fan. Alvar Aalto is one of Finland’s most known furniture designers. I have written at least three written assignments about him in school and I have been on an internship at a factory that produces Alvar Aalto's furniture.  I like Alvar Aalto's furniture because the furniture's shapes are clean and they are timeless.

This furniture is one of my favorites, designed by Alvar Aaalto, Stool 66.

Leaving sketches behind: Kristian Lagerroos

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Kristian Lagerroos, 26 y. of age and a fourth year furniture design student at the Novia university of applied sciences.

What got you interested in studying furniture design?

The fact that I can put my creativity and imagination into good use and also that I am able to create something concrete with my own hands using my own ideas.


You as a designer / What kind of jobs interest you?

I'm mainly interested in the design aspect of things. I wish to explore the possibilities of different materials while trying to make my products as aesthetically pleasing and functional as I can.


From what angle will you be approaching the theme "Senses"?

I will be approaching it from my own perspective. I wanted to keep things simple and minimal. While I am a rather visual person I want to portray a certain sense of direction through my piece, given that I made it during a difficult time in my personal life when I didn't know what i wanted or was supposed to do.


What do you hope for or expect from Stockholm Furniture Fair 2015?

I'm hoping to be having a good time and I am keen on meeting some interesting people at the fair.


Can you name a piece of furniture that has made an impression on you and why?

Off the top of my head I'd say that the "Nénuphar bed" by Louis Majorelle is a piece of furniture that really impresses me. Basically anything that Majorelle designed and manufactured but that one especially astounds me. I really admire the craftsmanship and the effort that went into making it considering that it was made sometime between 1902-1903. I can only imagine what it must have required to make with the techniques and equipment at the time. I can see that it's the work of a real master.