Hanna Korhonen

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Hanna Korhonen ("HK") 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?

HK : I began my journey as a designer-goldsmith in 1998 when I started my jewellery designer education in University of Applied Sciences in Kuopio, Finland. From the very first day I sat at the bench it felt like home. Later on I have completed my education with a specialized vocational qualification and am now also a master goldsmith.

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

HK : As I look back in time, my journey has always been on the path to creative industries. My interests, hobbies, educational choices and people around me are mostly from that field.

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

HK : I think the universe has nudged me in that direction all my life. I had other plans as well and I had opportunities to try them out, but jewellery design was the one that drew me in.

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

HK : I love unique, gala style jewellery, where you can really stretch your imagination and try out different materials and combinations.

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

HK : Just be themselves and find their own inner passion and calling which to pursue. Don’t try to become something specific you think you should be, just be true to yourself and put all your effort and work in that foundation to create and succeed.

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

HK : Good designer makes products look good and be usable, great designer produces new ideas and ways to think about said products in addition.

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

HK : Design and designing in a whole is something we all use but rarely realise its existence. When you are either amazed by the magnificence of the design or you don't notice it at all, then the design is well executed.

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

HK : Good design is timeless, effortless, and natural. You feel joy using the product when it is designed well and it lasts from decades to decades, or centuries and millenias. Oftentimes they even add in their value.

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

HK : I would love to create a unique gala collection with a fashion clothing designer. It would be lovely to combine jewellery and clothing design ideas together. It is a dream project.

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

HK : I actually don’t know! There is kind of a gut feeling when the design I am creating is good, then I know I am going in the right direction. I have also always been curious and creative, I believe that could be one of the ingredients.

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

HK : Björn Weckström and René Lalique. The rough and natural approach of Weckström, with lovely contrasting accents and gorgeous entwining and organic Art Nouveau designs from Lalique are two of my favorites in the jewellery design field. It is impossible to choose a favourite piece from either of them..!

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

HK : My greatest design is yet to come. I always find something to improve. At the moment my favourite design from my collections is the Blue Holly necklace. It is a giant butterfly necklace which is strung around the neck by its antennae and it opens and closes by moving its wings. I love how there aren't any odd locking mechanisms or other adjunct elements, but only the parts of the butterfly.

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

HK : With pride. At least Finnish designers (including me) have a problem with being proud of their own work. Many easily downplay their skills.

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

HK : I have had a project for a couple of years to add in my unique gala styled collections and that is still an ongoing project. Expect gorgeous, Art Nouveauish, unique jewellery with marvellous contrast in texture and colours.

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

HK : To share my knowledge with the beginning designers and hopefully leave something in history that would enrich the everyday lives of future generations.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

HK : Design plays in everything in society. It is an immediate contact surface between the people and the everyday world we have created. It influences how we interact with products, services, environments, and intangible aspects like emotions, identity, and social norms. At its best design solves problems in society.

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

HK : I would love to see that after the initial excitement, the AI would be used as a responsible tool to create, not the main creator of new designs. It is a wonderful tool which unfortunately at the moment seems to have become the master instead of servant.

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

HK : I think we have already started moving in the direction of responsibility in all of the areas of production and I believe that is the heading still for the future years.

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

HK : It depends. Sometimes it can happen in the matter of weeks, sometimes it can take years to accomplish.

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

HK : My main work is custom made jewellery. Usually I familiarize myself with the material and guidelines for the piece of jewellery, which can be a wedding ring, gift for graduation etc., and I will let my subconscious work with that. After a while I start sketching the piece and at the time I usually have some vague or more thought of designs already in my mind.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

HK : “Jewellery is poetry in the world of products” They are memories preserved in a small and beautiful form. Filled with stories and deep meaning.

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

HK : I think they walk hand in hand. There are weak signals that guide us all the time and they can emerge wherever. There can be designs popping up that have similarities before they have had the time to encounter in any way.

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

HK : Nonexistent! I do all my designing by hand. When I create the pieces there are of course electric tools as well as hand tools, but when I design I use pen and paper.

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

HK : It sets for example the mood, emotion, tension and can indicate or symbolise something for the individual or group. It is psychology and a way of communication.

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

HK : Awe. It is wonderful to see something that no-one has thought of before.

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

HK : Fashion designer from the world of clothing. Our fields of expertise overlap and I believe we could have something that each could benefit from.

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

HK : I have been an entrepreneur since 2006. I have done designer's work with my clients every day which has led me to constantly develop as a designer. I have been challenging myself also via different competitions in Finland and internationally. Competitions also provide great feedback on whether I am on the right track in my work.

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

HK : My father. He passed away just as I was starting my entrepreneurial career. My company was just a few days old then. I would love to show him how it turned out and have a chat with him about this whole creative field of work amongst other things.

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

HK : I don’t consider myself famous, I am still a bit shy if I get recognized for my competition successes..! But I am proud of every achievement I have accomplished, it just takes time to internalize this.

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

HK : Orange, forest, pasta carbonara (one of them), early autumn, authenticity, Hanna K Design & Jewellery (*nudge, wink* of course!)

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

HK : A few years ago there was a soon to be married couple who unbeknownst to each other both came to my atelier to order a gift as a surprise to one another. It was quite a juggle to try to book their appointments so that they didn't see each other or that I didn't ruin the surprise in any other way! But I did manage to keep the secret and they were completely unaware and happily surprised with their lovely gifts to each other on the wedding day morning.

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

HK : Of course being an entrepreneur takes its toll and can be hard from time to time, but the actual work as a designer has never been unpleasant. Mostly I have to pinch myself to grasp the fact that I do this for a living. I love this job!

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

HK : It wasn't, though my path has always leaned towards creative fields, arts etc.

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

HK : Oh dear, I just hope humankind has resolved its multiple issues and is still around, creating and realizing something positive, meaningful and significant.

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

HK : Don’t be a stranger, contact me if there is anything I can help you with or if you wish to chat about design. Thank you for the interview, it was a pleasure!