Sanna Liimatainen

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Sanna Liimatainen ("SL") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

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 :)

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

SL : I get pleasure when I build and develop something. Making is important part to me.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

SL : One and a half years ago I decided to try my talents as a designer. But I've made plans, inventions for long.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

SL : Now I'm interested in acoustics and solar panels and always in the background is security. Lots of new ideas. Even one new invention that I can not reveal.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

SL : To develop products that you yourself believe in.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

SL : Opinion and century and culture

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

SL : Emotion, design is art. A really good design raise emotions.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

SL : You buy a painting if you like it the same applies to design

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

SL : Acustic lamp for Innolux

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

SL : A dog walking with two paws cabinet

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

SL : I think for myself and I do not care what other people think of me. I want to solve problems, it's like a mathematical equation.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

SL : Alvar Aalto , I'm a finn.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

SL : Hoptimist: makes me smile, it is mentally useful.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

SL : My house number 3: appearance, technical solutions ...

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

SL : Do not care what others think. Do your own thing.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

SL : I have worked as a photographer for over 20 years. But if I would start studying now I would like to be an architect.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

SL : A product which appearance has been carefully taken care of

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

SL : My 14 year old daughter. You will hear from her.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

SL : Anger, it gives a lot of energy

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

SL : Money and the right contacts.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

SL : I can not reveal it yet but it is also related to fire safety

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

SL : To earn my bread

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

SL : Something new and different

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SL : Finishfire design hopefully gives more attention to fire safety. And makes people to buy fire extinguishers in their homes.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

SL : Corrently my time goes to marketing

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

SL : Charging Platform the modern magazine rack a beloved child has many names. At first it seemed that not one of the sketches looked good. But when I built it from wood it started to live.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

SL : Transparency increases the responsibility of manufacturers. I would like open information about who are the manufactures of the products. Especially China is hiding information. Even if I want to inform the consumer about the manufacturers of the product, I do not get it from China.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

SL : Everything is soon in IKEA

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

SL : It depends, 5 months -x.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

SL : I make drafts on paper

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

SL : Greedy man has a shitty end

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

SL : Both ways

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

SL : It can bring new features, opportunities

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

SL : Pen and paper and saw and photoshop

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

SL : No rules, it is the fun.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

SL : Where can I buy them?

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

SL : Smile and delight

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

SL : I'm a dictator, but I would love to have Mr Göran Sundholm in my team.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

SL : My daughter Siiri is genius and incorruptible

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

SL : Alvar Aalto

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

SL : As a hobby I have been designed and built single-family houses since year 2000, a total of more than 1,000 square meters. So I have studied architecture and building engineering in real life. It combines: brain work, manual labor + spare time :)

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

SL : Albert Einstein

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

SL : violet, home, food made by mom, spring, iLOQ

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

SL : For Scandinavians, the fire blanket is familiar and many of us have one at home. But the Central Europeans are wondering what it is? They don't need it because the law doesn't require it. The Finnish law doesn't require fire blanket either but why should we need a law to protect yourself.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

SL : A great time is when a new idea wakes you up at 4 o'clock at night.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

SL : I just wanted to hunt and climb

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

SL : We focus on air and water purification

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

SL : You do not need a law that tells you to think whit your brain. One item in the right place could save you or your family or even the entire apartment building.