Nordic Quarters

Category: People

Hanna Anonen on colour, storytelling and her favourite Helsinki coffee spot

From characterful objects to striking colour pairings, Nordic Quarters spoke with the Finnish, New York-based designer about how she is redefining the visual language of Finnish design 

Nordic Quarters: When you begin your day in the studio, what is the very first ritual or habit that helps you shift into a designing or creative mindset?

Hanna Anonen: I don’t really have a special or elaborate creative ritual. I tend to approach things one task at a time. Usually, I make a to-do list of the essential tasks for the day and cross them off as I complete them. This helps me stay organised rather than feeling overwhelmed, and it allows me to focus fully on each task. I also usually check the schedule from the previous day to see what needs to be completed. Arriving at the studio with this clarity helps me enter a creative mindset and focus on what really matters for the day.

NQ: Finnish modern design has a strong legacy. As someone redefining its visual language, what elements in your creative process  such as colour studies, materials or prototyping feel most crucial to keeping your work fresh and bold?

HA: I work a lot with colours and enjoy combining them. I have certain palettes that I use repeatedly, but I also change a shade or add a small twist from time to time to keep things fresh and lively. Working with new materials and techniques, experimenting with them or combining them, is also very inspiring. Sometimes these experiments remain just experiments, while other times they evolve into projects that continue into the future.

NQ: You curate, but also collaborate with brands like Made by Choice, Hakola, and Mifuko. What does a typical workday look like in the middle of one of these projects?

HA: I work on a lot of exhibition projects with both museums and companies, which are usually very active and multi-faceted. In addition to Finnish manufacturers, I also collaborate with HAM and Ateneum.

These projects involve storytelling, creating spatial atmospheres, reviewing content with curators, planning technical solutions with museum staff, and ensuring accessibility for customers and the safety of the objects that customers will get full experience and full story.

My work includes drawing furniture and display cases, ordering printed materials and collaborating with graphic designers on texts or visual elements each with its own materials and execution. 

I love working with long-term partners when producing prototypes for my own designs or ordering structures for clients. I trust them, and it’s always an exciting moment to see the designs come to life in three dimensions and at full scale seeing how the pieces have actually turned out.

Of course, the product manufacturers have certain tasks or steps that we discuss as we move projects forward. This is completely normal after years of working together on different projects, as there are periods of more intensive communication and sometimes longer pauses.

My days aren’t very romanticised creative designer days. I spend a lot of time at the computer, working on sketches, materials, PDFs and emails. Meetings and discussions take up a lot of time, but they are essential to keep projects moving forward.

“The most rewarding moment is when I send the final drawings for production”

NQ: Looking back at your day once you leave the studio, what element of your practice – problem-solving, hands-on making, aesthetic exploration, or client dialogue – usually gives you the biggest sense of satisfaction?

HA: Earlier in my career, I did much more hands-on making myself, but over time, with changes in facilities and schedule, my work habits have evolved. Right now, I do what I can with the resources available, and perhaps this will look different in the future. The most rewarding moment is when I send the final drawings for production. That starts the anticipation in a week or two, as I see how the furniture or spatial elements have been realised in reality. That moment is always very satisfying.

NQ: And finally, when you’re not working, are there any local spots in Helsinki where you find inspiration or like to unwind?

HA: When I’m not working, I spend time with friends. I don’t have a fixed go to place, but I enjoy wandering spontaneously through different neighbourhoods in the city it’s relaxing and also inspiring. I live in New York, but whenever I visit Finland, I meet my friends at the Hakaniemi Market for coffee. It’s all about the Finnish coffee tradition, often enjoyed with classic pastries. I always go for drip coffee, served black.

hannaanonen.com

@hannaanonen

Photography by Juho Huttunen and Mikael Niemi