iittala's philosophyAny home has a large collection of failed objects. These items were purchased for a specific function but failed the test of regular use. Now these failed objects can be found in the back of your kitchen cupboard or in boxes gathering dust in the basement. They show up at garage sales and in dumpsters when you have to move to a new home. You might have even given them as gifts to unsuspecting friends and relatives.
iittala’s objects are different. They follow you closely from one stage of life to another, from one move to another. Their shape is pleasant and their use makes instant sense. Why then would you give up an object that is just what you wanted and functions just like it should?
People have always experienced the need to improve their environment. As long as design can be developed, we will continue our work.
More about iittala
The roots of iittala date back to 1881 when a glass factory was established in a small village by the name of Iittala in southern Finland. From the very beginning iittala was a modern industrial plant. The first glassblowers came from Sweden, and later professionals were also hired from Belgium and Germany.
iittala’s breakthrough occurred in the early years of modernism and functionalism in the 1920s and 30s. It was among the first companies to make the transition from creating decorative settings and dinner sets to progressive Scandinavian design. iittala’s designers included the modernist trailblazers, Kaj Franck, Alvar Aalto and his wife Aino. Today the task of continuing and refining the tradition in their own individual styles has been handed down to international designers who create for Iittala.
The effort put into lasting quality design has paid off. The proof is that the Iittala collection includes not only recently launched items but also those that have been around for over 60 years. Over the years, iittala designers have won numerous prizes. They have reached the summit of the design world through their uncompromising work ethic and cutting edge attitude. And this is done all the while keeping in mind the person who uses the objects.
