Kaj Franck Design Prize 2020: Ilkka Suppanen
Designer, interior architect Ilkka Suppanen has been selected as the recipient of the Kaj Franck Design Prize 2020, granted by Design Forum Finland. The Kaj Franck Design Prize is one of the most significant design prizes in Finland, and it will be granted for the 29th time this year. The prize is funded by the Finnish Fair Foundation.
Ilkka Suppanen has made a long and successful career in the field of design and art. He studied both interior and furniture design at the University of Art and Design Helsinki and architecture at the Helsinki University of Technology. Suppanen made his breakthrough in the late 1990s as one of the founders of the Snowcrash group. The group's showing at the Milan Furniture Fair in 1997 brought a lot of media attention and several contacts from furniture manufacturers. Among these was the big Italian furniture company Cappellini, which took Suppanen's Flying Carpet sofa into production.
“I have never thought myself as a form giver; more as a thinker who designs things for the future. There, the form or shape of an object is important but not the dominant part,” describes Ilkka Suppanen his work. Ilkka Suppanen has designed furniture, lighting fixtures and consumer products such as glassware for several Finnish and international companies. His portfolio also includes architecture, exhibition design and art projects.
During his career, Ilkka Suppanen has received several significant design prizes. In 2000, Design Forum Finland selected him to be the first Young Designer of the Year. He received the world's largest design prize, the Torsten and Wanja Söderberg's Prize, worth of one million Swedish crowns, in 2015.
The Kaj Franck prize jury stated that Ilkka Suppanen's work is always built on thought, contemplation and integrity. He has worked in many different fields and has never been tied to a certain product group, brand or country. “Ilkka Suppanen moves between industrial design and art with agility. His interest in various production techniques, materials and their use is evident in the form and functionality of his works. Ilkka Suppanen’s language of form is aesthetic, fresh, light and forward-looking. In his designs, he strives for usability, necessity and a long life span,” continues the jury.
The members of the Kaj Franck Design Prize jury of 2020 were CEO Petteri Kolinen / Design Forum Finland, Executive Director Pilvi Kalhama / Espoo Museum of Modern Art EMMA, Advocate Pentti Kivinen / Finnish Fair Foundation, curator, journalist Isa Kukkapuro and designer, Professor Heikki Orvola.
The Kaj Franck Design Prize brings forth the central spirit and principles of designer Kaj Franck’s (1911–1989) oeuvre: high-quality, democratic and functional design that solves practical challenges and opens up new opportunities for companies excelling in design. A particular merit is if the rewarded designer brings beauty and joy to everyday life and enhances the quality of life. The prize sum is €10,000. The Kaj Franck Design Prize was established in 1992 by Design Forum Finland and it is funded by the Finnish Fair Foundation.
Kaj Franck Design Prize is a part of the new Design Forum Finland Awards concept. Ilkka Suppanen's prize exhibition will open as a part of DFF Awards exhibition in late summer of 2020. Suppanen's works are also on show at Habitare interior, design and furniture fair in Messukeskus, Helsinki, in September.
Photo: Paavo Lehtonen
More information:
Ilkka Suppanen, ilkka@suppanen.com, +358 50 564 1081
Design Forum Finland: Communications Specialist Anne Veinola
anne.veinola@designforum.fi, +358 (0)40 548 6407
Press images: www.designforum.fi/en/media/
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DESIGN FORUM FINLAND
Design Forum Finland promotes the use of design in Finnish companies, especially as a tool for leadership and on a strategic level. Our services enhance companies’ international competitiveness and find new models for developing business for future customer needs. This creates value for customers, owners and society at large in the long term.
FINNISH FAIR FOUNDATION
The Finnish Fair Foundation promotes Finnish business life, different industries and expertise by granting scholarships and prizes each year. The most well-known prizes are the Kaj Franck Design Prize, the Habitare Design Competition Award, the Out of Love for Books Award, and The Finnish Excellence Award.
