Tapio Wirkkala was born in 1915 in Hanko, Finland, and died in 1985 in Espoo, Helsinki. He began his career as a designer working for Raymond Loewy, one of the “forefathers” of industrial design. Wirkkala’s very first piece, which he showcased at the famous Triennale Design Museum in Milan, won him three gold medals and the highly sought-after Grand Prix. This was to be the first in a long list of awards, which would later include the honorary doctorate from the Royal College of Art, London.

The name Tapio Wirkkala is today a synonym for Scandinavian design culture. As a graphic artist and interior designer, he has left his mark on the international world of art and his creations paved the way for the worldwide success of Nordic design.