Established in 2000, the 125th anniversary year of the Finnish Society of Crafts and Design, the prize is now being awarded for the fifth time. The recipients of the prize for 2006 are industrial designer Jukka Korpihete, student of arts, and furniture designer Mikko Paakkanen, student of arts.
The purpose of the prize is to encourage young designers to engage in uncompromising original work in the fields of graphic design, interior architecture, applied art, crafts and industrial design and to present them to the public. The prize is awarded for exceptional, original and high-standard skills in the above fields of design.
The prize jury noted that "the prize winners high-quality work represents innovative young Finnish design combining individual creativity with a language of form reinforced by international influences . By awarding the prize, the jury wishes to encourage these two promising young designers to become involved in industrial production and internationally oriented professional activities.
Mikko Paakkanen has designed products that are currently in production and have already received prizes, including furniture. Although the visual idiom of the products is inspired by the present day, they include a classical conception of beauty and harmony.
Jukka Korpihete has designed lamps, studied light and engaged in lighting design, for fa ades and works of art employing light, among other projects. Korpihete's products are designed in a sensitive and goal-oriented manner. He uses light and shade in the manner of a painter, like an Impressionist painting with light.
The jury of the Young Designer of the Year prize of 2006 consists of keeper Jukka Savolainen, designer Ilkka Suppanen, head of exhibitions Merja Pylkkanen and CEO Ilpo Santala. The prize sum of EUR 5,000 was donated by the Finnish Cultural Foundation.
Previous recipients of the prize are designers Harri Koskinen and Ilkka Suppanen (2000), interior architect Karola Sahi and the architect Eeva Lithovius (2001), the designer and cabinetmaker Tuuli Autio and the designer and silversmith Pyry Tamminen (2002), and the graphic designers Antti Hinkula and Teemu Suviala (2005).
In connection with the Young Designer of the Year exhibition at Design Forum Finland there will be a panel discussion on the ability of companies to use the services of designers on 16 March at 3.30 PM. The participants of the discussion will be Professor Yrj Kukkapuro, CEO Ahti Antikainen, Avarte Oy, CEO Jori Keckman, Lundia Oy and the Young Designers of the Year Mikko Paakkanen and Jukka Korpihete. The discussion will be hosted by Markus Leikola.
For further information please contact:
Aila Kolehmainen
T (09) 6220 8121
F (09) 6220 8181,
aila.kolehmainen@designforum.fi
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