Glass wares designed by Kaj Franck, Finland

Kaj Franck was a Finnish glassware, textile, and ceramic designer who is considered one of the most important figures in Finnish design. He was born in Viipuri, Finland, in 1911 and studied at the University of Industrial Arts in Helsinki. After graduating in 1936, he worked as a designer for several different companies, including Arabia, Iittala, and Nuutajärvi.

Franck's designs were characterized by their simplicity, functionality, and attention to detail. He believed that good design should be affordable and accessible to everyone, and he often used simple, geometric shapes in his work. He was also a strong advocate for recycling and sustainability, and many of his designs were made from recycled materials.

Some of Franck's most famous designs include the Teema tableware for Iittala, the Kartio glassware for Nuutajärvi, and the Aalto vase for Iittala. These designs are still in production today and are considered classics of Finnish more... design.

Franck was also a teacher and an influential figure in the Finnish design community. He served as the artistic director of the Nuutajärvi glassworks from 1951 to 1976, and he was a professor at the University of Industrial Arts from 1960 to 1973. He was awarded the Lunning Prize in 1955 and the Compasso d'Oro in 1957, and he was inducted into the Design Hall of Fame in 2011.

Kaj Franck died in Helsinki in 1989. He is considered one of the most important figures in Finnish design, and his work continues to be influential today. less...