Harri Koskinen

Harri Koskinen was born in Karstula, Finland, in 1970 and is an internationally recognised industrial designer known for his clear, functional and innovative design aesthetic.

After studying at Lahti Design Institute and Aalto University Helsinki, Koskinen founded the design studio Friends of Industry Ltd. in Helsinki in 2000 before in 2009 founding his own label, Harri Koskinen Works, under which he produces and sells his furniture designs.

Koskinen's international breakthrough came in 1996 with the Block Lamp, a light bulb held by two glass blocks and now considered a classic of Scandinavian design. Another notable Koskinen design is the Fatty Container (1998), a storage box for records crafted from birch wood.

Koskinen works with numerous renowned companies, including Iittala (where he has been Design Director since 2011), Artek, Marimekko, Muji, Hermès, Seiko and Thonet. His diverse work ranges from furniture and lighting to tableware and glassware, clocks, textiles and packaging. His designs combine uncompromising aesthetics with innovative ideas that inspire both consumers and manufacturers.

Koskinen has received numerous awards for his work, including the Compasso d’Oro (2004), the Pro Finlandia Medal (2007) and the Kaj Franck Design Prize (2014). His works are represented in major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.