We speak to Finnish designer Elina Aalto, who runs design office Aalto + Aalto and curates Habitare: The Block, an exhibition showcasing works by young designers in Finland.
It’s in our DNA. Finnish designers like to boil concepts down to the essentials; there’s an idea, but its execution isn’t flashy. On the other hand, our tactile industry is more adventurous with prints and colour. In Marimekko, for instance, the world is very vibrant. Finland gets dark and colourless during winter, so it’s necessary to get that dose of colour from something!
That you have to make things happen for yourself! The designers are very active in contacting manufacturers, in and out of Finland. This is not my strong point (laughs).
There is an overflow of products in the world, so ensure that your designs are relevant by thinking about the life cycle of the product and its materials. It has to be long-lasting, and not contribute to the waste.
It is water- and heatproof, and features a soft silicone exterior to protect it from falls and dust, too. This means you can listen to Adele while preparing lunch or shampoo your hair without worrying about water damage. You can even use the Micro to receive and make calls, and access Siri or Google Assistant.
