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Interview with Sanna Liimatainen |
Home > Designer Interviews > Sanna Liimatainen |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Sanna Liimatainen (SL) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Sanna Liimatainen by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
SL: As a child I wanted to be the first female president in Finland. But I ended up to be a press photographer, combination of artist and desire to influence. After 20 years in I know press writes what sells, journalism has lost the battle for money. So now I try to save the world by designing :)
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SL: Finishfire was born in 3.3.2016. Finishfire is = Sanna. I work like crazy and I hope to get this company to fly.
FS: What is "design" for you?
SL: It's a smile. Things that make you smile will save you.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SL: Something that is needed, not more garbage to dumps.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SL: Hoptimist: makes me smile, it is mentally useful.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
SL: Charging platform 2016
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SL: Wood, concrete and fabrics.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
SL: Ideas come often at night and then I have to get up and draw them. Also driving a car is a creative moment.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SL: Beauty and functionality.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SL: Anger is good it gives a lot of energy
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SL: Happy. I'm doing something nice with my kids because they've been hit by a mother who works all the time
FS: What makes a design successful?
SL: Attention, man is a herd of animals and wants to copy what other people like. A lot of good is lost when they don't get attention. And a lot of stupidity has been sold with attention.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SL: Would I buy it.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SL: Do not sell the product without knowing WHO manufactures it. If there is not a law requiring to tell the factory of the manufacture instead of just country (made in China) a landfill can not be located.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
SL: Everything is soon in IKEA
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SL: I meet a lot of people and everyone gives inspiration. Now I'm excited about the solar panels. I met one engineer from Naps company.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SL: I question everything. All must be checked by yourself. "Do not eat on the other plate." No censorship inside your own head.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
SL: I have developed two total new products. I wonder why no one else haven't done this before my. Or someone has but it did not get any attention. My style is anarchist :)
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
SL: I live in a house I have built in Finland. From the window I look into the forest. My daughter walks to school independently. I hope that all could feel as safe as I do at home.
FS: How do you work with companies?
SL: The customer is always right. So they get what they order. When I work for myself I get the freedom.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SL: I don't know. Hard one
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SL: A lot of line drawings, sleepless nights, then experiment first on a computer and then by building
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
SL: Two lamps from Innolux. handmade carpet, self-designed and built-in mezzanine for my daughter, old armchair
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
SL: 8 wake up the kids 9 open the computer 10 drive to the studio 11 drive to the destination 12-15 take photos 16 home and grocery shopping 18 Driving kids to practice 19 evening balls 20 -2 start working
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SL: Do something you like a lot. When your heart is involved it becomes good. Remember to laugh!
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SL: Positives. Enthusiasm towards my work. Negatives. when you always have to think about money
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SL: New and necessary
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
SL: Three-dimensional vision and extensive general education.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SL: Abode, the whole package.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
SL: I would like to close the phone sometimes but as an entrepreneur I can not. Meaning difficult.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SL: It depends, 5 months -x.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
SL: How did you come up with this?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
SL: Designing and building three houses of my own.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
SL: Well, I still don't design for others. Pictures I take for many magazines and companies.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
SL: Companies with new technology and development
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SL: I want Finishfire to have products on sale world-wide.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SL: I'm lonely wolf, but I know why to call for help.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
SL: A very good idea is, but I want Mr Göran Sundholm in my team.
FS: How can people contact you?
SL: sannal@finishfire.com
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
SL: Nothing is coming to mind right now
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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