Antrei Hartikainen is a self-taught designer and master cabinetmaker based in Fiskars, Southern Finland. He has developed his own design idiom over the years and works in product design, installation and sculpture, as well as art and collectibles.
A self-taught designer and master cabinetmaker, Antrei Hartikainen, whose work is based in Fiskars - Southern Finland, has managed to create his own design idiom over the years that sets his work distinct from others.
Working in product design, installation and sculpture, as well as art and collectibles, the designer is constantly exploring this middle ground and trying to find something interesting in each of his roles. His work demonstrates the sensitivity, ingenuity and skill required to work at the interface between art, craft and design.
Sustainability, innovative use of materials and beauty itself form the framework for the designer's creations, who creates long lasting and honest pieces through thoughtful use of materials, techniques and details that inspire and delight people. Indeed, the designer's work is infused with the beauty of untouched nature and the theme of growth, human-shaped environment and architecture, and details and observations of everyday life..
The designer's first design/art exhibition dates back to 2012 and his first production furniture was launched in 2015 for Nikari. However, it was the Bastone collection for Finnish brand Poiat Furniture in 2018 that symbolised his professional debut. The collection reflects the designer's values in furniture design, with a recognisable, sculptural look, industrial manufacturing and simple, ingenious details that allow disassembly for transport and long-term maintenance.
In 2018, Antrei Hartikainen was named Young Designer of the Year, and this award, along with other recognitions, has given him the encouragement to continue on his own path. Awards and nominations are great opportunities to showcase his work to a wider audience and gain publicity, especially at the beginning of his career.
Although he came into the sector somewhat from the outside and with incomplete basic knowledge of how to contact companies, the media and present products, the designer was able to meet the challenges of running a design studio and was able to apply for grants to implement different projects. These have been instrumental in the development of the designer's work and without them the challenges might have been more numerous.
In 2019, the Melt cabinet collection, originally designed by Antrei Hartikainen for exhibition at the Chart Art Fair in Copenhagen and the Collectible Design Fair in Brussels (where they were part of the Lokal Gallery exhibitions) has since gained recognition in the industry. The collection originally consisted solely of functional wooden furniture as cabinet and wall shelves but has since expanded to include vases, bowls and glass sculptures inspired by the metamorphosis of water.
Currently, Antrei Hartikainen is working on several projects at different stages, ranging from functional metal pieces for outdoor use, a collection of glass pieces for an exhibition at Schloss Hollenegg in Austria, solo exhibitions and furniture fairs, as well as furniture designs for different brands and sculptures/functional objects for clients.
Antrei Hartikainen is a self-taught designer and master cabinetmaker based in Fiskars, Southern Finland. He has developed his own design idiom over the years and works in product design, installation and sculpture, as well as art and collectibles.
A self-taught designer and master cabinetmaker, Antrei Hartikainen, whose work is based in Fiskars - Southern Finland, has managed to create his own design idiom over the years that sets his work distinct from others.
Working in product design, installation and sculpture, as well as art and collectibles, the designer is constantly exploring this middle ground and trying to find something interesting in each of his roles. His work demonstrates the sensitivity, ingenuity and skill required to work at the interface between art, craft and design.
Sustainability, innovative use of materials and beauty itself form the framework for the designer's creations, who creates long lasting and honest pieces through thoughtful use of materials, techniques and details that inspire and delight people. Indeed, the designer's work is infused with the beauty of untouched nature and the theme of growth, human-shaped environment and architecture, and details and observations of everyday life..
The designer's first design/art exhibition dates back to 2012 and his first production furniture was launched in 2015 for Nikari. However, it was the Bastone collection for Finnish brand Poiat Furniture in 2018 that symbolised his professional debut. The collection reflects the designer's values in furniture design, with a recognisable, sculptural look, industrial manufacturing and simple, ingenious details that allow disassembly for transport and long-term maintenance.
In 2018, Antrei Hartikainen was named Young Designer of the Year, and this award, along with other recognitions, has given him the encouragement to continue on his own path. Awards and nominations are great opportunities to showcase his work to a wider audience and gain publicity, especially at the beginning of his career.
Although he came into the sector somewhat from the outside and with incomplete basic knowledge of how to contact companies, the media and present products, the designer was able to meet the challenges of running a design studio and was able to apply for grants to implement different projects. These have been instrumental in the development of the designer's work and without them the challenges might have been more numerous.
In 2019, the Melt cabinet collection, originally designed by Antrei Hartikainen for exhibition at the Chart Art Fair in Copenhagen and the Collectible Design Fair in Brussels (where they were part of the Lokal Gallery exhibitions) has since gained recognition in the industry. The collection originally consisted solely of functional wooden furniture as cabinet and wall shelves but has since expanded to include vases, bowls and glass sculptures inspired by the metamorphosis of water.
Currently, Antrei Hartikainen is working on several projects at different stages, ranging from functional metal pieces for outdoor use, a collection of glass pieces for an exhibition at Schloss Hollenegg in Austria, solo exhibitions and furniture fairs, as well as furniture designs for different brands and sculptures/functional objects for clients.