Saara Korppi

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Saara Korppi ("SK") 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?

SK : I studied for 3 years at the Nuutajärvi glass school in Finland and graduated as an Artisan glassblower in 2010. Then, straight after Nuutajärvi I studied one year in the glassblowing postgraduate program in the Nordic Programmer in the Riksglasskolan in Orrefors in Sweden. I continued studies in Orrefors for one year and graduated with a higher education as a Design and Art glassblower in 2013. In addition to this, I studied at advanced glassblowing workshops in Venice in Italy and in the USA. In my studies, I had focused on Venetian glassblowing which includes the production of goblet glasses.

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

SK : I have always had an inner desire to create things with my hands and design my own things. I wanted to express myself and have more practical approach for designing, so I sought an education as a glassblower. Passion for glassblowing and experiencing its challenges and opportunities, has inspired me as a designer of glass.

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

SK : Sensitivity is my strength. I have always been sensitive to inner and outer beauty. I've always wanted to express myself and bring out my sensitivity to the design. When I became a glassblower, I wanted to make my own design and try new techniques. It is a pleasure for me to design.

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

SK : I mainly design practical glassware. Within this genre, I would like to take on new challenges, such as making goblets, lamps, and plates with new techniques.

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

SK : Know yourself. Focus on the things you are good at and make them better. Believe in yourself.

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

SK : Great designer brings out her sensitivity to glassware. Designer's Sensitivity and Self-Knowledge is a resource from which the designer draws her own unique handwriting that tells the story.

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

SK : Good design adds value for experience by its aesthetic and functionality.

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

SK : Good design means high quality products with high beauty, functionality, practicality and durability. New innovations make your life easier and better.

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

SK : I would be interested to design lightning, decorative items and other glass wall elements to homes.

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

SK : Free to do everything from glass to unlimited, collaborative projects and exhibitions, goblets and glass jewelry design.

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

SK : Being deeply sensitive person.

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

SK : Tapio Wirkkala, Timo Sarpaneva, Davide Fuin (goblets)

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

SK : Ultima Thule series by Tapio Wirkkala. It has got uniqueness and naturalness and is from Finland. More spesifically, it reflects nature and ice and water formations. This work makes me proud to be Finnish.

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

SK : I've designed and made the 30s Cognac Glass and the 30s Wine Glass, both of which I'm really proud of. Glass adds value to the design of both by its shape by looking good from every perspective with or without liquid inside.

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

SK : Practise a lot and make mistakes. Get to know your material and yourself and your strengths. Teamwork and dream work.

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

SK : Glassblower assistant for other glassblower masters in other glassblowing studios or blowing some other designers’ products as a glassblower.

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

SK : Design is a dance between planning and practice.

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

SK : Family and friends. Thank you all.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

SK : Learning from the best and lots of practice. To get to know yourself.

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

SK : I needed many years of practice, experience, teamwork and patience. I needed to think about material and to solve upcoming technical problems.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

SK : What the designer’s instinct says.

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

SK : I'm planning to extend the 30s glass series and already have a couple of models ready for production. Additionally, I'm now working on new exhibition glass pieces, too.

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

SK : To become the world's most famous designer from Finland and to push Finnish design forward. I also hope I'll soon be able to make a living out of designing and blowing glass.

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

SK : Quality products with new design perspectives and solutions.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SK : It brings people together and makes life little bit better.

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

SK : I'm having my own big exhibition next year in Helsinki, Finland and am working now on new glass pieces and series for it.

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

SK : Making the 30s Cognac Glass and 30s Wine Glass. I wanted to challenge myself and learned something new about designing and glassblowing techniques.

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

SK : More handcrafted glass, different goblets and wineglasses.

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

SK : Different shapes with straight lines, more colors and integrated technology of the glass.

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

SK : Drawing, processing, trying and handcrafting takes as long as I am happy with the result.

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

SK : I think of designing object in three dimensions and then sketching it on paper. Then I make the first models and improve it to get the final shape.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

SK : Believe in yourself.

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

SK : Unconsciously, we take inspiration from around ourselves and make our design look different during different time periods. Each era has its own handprint.

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

SK : I like to experiment new glassblowing techniques by updating old techniques and adding something new for them.

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

SK : Glassblowing tools, sketch book and Glass studio and image processing software.

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

SK : I have used recycled glass. I make good quality designs which can handle time. Adding colors with different combinations makes glass design interesting.

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

SK : Have you made it yourself?

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

SK : Original and clear lines that is appealing to the eye. They are using new perspective and techniques.

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

SK : Working partner who has the same goals. He makes his own design. Partner is better than me, who inspires and pushes me forward. I learnn always something new from him and get more perspectives.

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

SK : I've learned something valuable from every work community, work partners and from all that I've observed.

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

SK : Saara Hopea and Tapio Wirkkala designer books

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

SK : It is a long journey. I am still developing and practicing to design things better. I practice, learn from mistakes. Having a normal-, and glassblowing education is useful for designing glass.

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

SK : Vincent Van Gogh

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

SK : My journey has just started.

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

SK : Deep Red, Summer, Finnish vendace fish, Glassblowing and there are many favorite brands.

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

SK : There is so many that I could not point any.

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

SK : I finally achieved my goals after hard work. I am fortunate to be able to express myself with glassblowing. Adding good motivational music and teamwork which makes me happy. As a bonus would be that I finally achieved my goals after hard work. I would like to reach my goals and dreams.

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

SK : No but I was always into expressing myself and curious about everything around and nature as well.

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

SK : I hope we can build a better future for ourselves.

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

SK : Thank you for believing in me.