Kaj Franck: Finnish Designer and Glassware Innovator

Kaj Franck was a Finnish textile and glassware designer and ceramicist. He was born in Viipuri, Finland. Often referred to as the “conscience of Finnish design,” Franck tried to construct the “optimal object,” representing the ideal relationship between man and the mass-produced commodity. His products remain among the most successful in modern design history because they synthesise utility and aesthetics with the utmost refinement. They continue to look as contemporary today as they were first introduced.

Education

Between 1929-32, he studied in the furniture department at Taideteollinen Korkeakoulu, Helsinki. 

Biography

He initially worked as a freelance designer, creating lighting and textiles between 1933 and 1945.

From 1945 to 1973, he was a designer at Arabia Pottery in Helsinki, becoming the artistic director in 1950.

He also worked as a designer at Iittala Glassworks from 1946 to 1950 and at Nuutajärvi-Notsjo Glassworks from 1950 to 1968.

Starting in 1945, he taught at Taideteollinen Korkeakoulu and served as its art director from 1960 to 1968. 

In c1950, when Nuutäjarvi-Notsjo merged with the Wartsila group, he produced his first glassware designs.

His unbreakable 1952 Kilta was considered a revolution in everyday tableware and a classic Finnish design object. More than 25 million pieces of it were sold. 

Later reissued, it was chosen for the Paris Picasso Museum cafeteria. 

In 1973, Franck left Arabia and the Wartsila group. From 1979, he was a full-time designer, sometimes working for the Wärtsila group (Arabia, Nuutajärvi, and sanitary porcelain and enamel).

He designed the 1979 Pitopöytäae plastic plate and bowl range produced by Sarvis and 1981 Theema black or white stoneware. 

Recognition

He received the following awards and recognition;

• Prizes at 1951 (IX) (gold medal)
• 1954 (X) ( two diplomas of honour)
• 1957 (XI) (grand prize) Triennali di Milano
• 1955 Lunning Prize;
• 1957 Premio Compasso d’Oro
• 1957 Pro Finlandia;
• 1965 Prince Eugen Medal
• 1977 Finnish State Award for Industrial Arts;
• 1983 honorary doctorate, Royal College of Art, London

Work included in exhibitions in 

• 1955, Gothenburg; in 
• 1956, Copenhagen; 
• 1954-57 USA ‘Design in Scandinavia,’ Hälsingborg (Sweden); 
• 1956-59 West Germany ‘Finnish Exhibition’; 
• 1958 ‘Formes Scandinaves, Paris Musee des Arts Decoratifs; 
• 1961 ‘Finlandia, Zurich, Amsterdam, and London. 

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing.

KAJ FRANCK: DESIGNER April 16 – October 12, 1992. Museum of Modern Art. https://assets.moma.org/documents/moma_press-release_327623.pdf

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