Kaj Franck

The saying ”less is more” has never been more fitting than when speaking of Kaj Franck designs. His designs eliminate everything unnecessary and just leave the stripped down, base essential designs. The designs build on simple, geometric shapes – circles, squares and triangles – which stood in direct contrast with the heavily embellished designs at the time.

That design should be functional and accessible for everybody as important to Franck. He wanted products to be complimentary to one another, allowing everybody to mix and match as they pleased. This was the thought that stood behind the design of the Teema range. In contrast to traditional sets, customer could buy separate pieces to built and collect the exact range of products for their own needs and homes. Together with Alvar Aalto and Aino Aalto, Franck helped develop the Iittala philosophy; creating design that is both beautiful and functional, and lasts a lifetime.

Kaj Franck grew up in Viborg, Finland and studied furniture design at what is today called the Aalto University. Besides collaborating with Iittala, Franck also worked for Arabia and the glassword Notsjö Nuutajärvi. Today is a legend of Finnish design and has won several design awards. One design award was even named after him and is awarded in Finland every year; The Kaj Franck price.