Yki Nummi (1925 – 1984) Finnish Interior Designer & Colourist

Yki Nummi (1925 – 1984) was a Finnish Lighting and Interior Designer. He was born in China.

Education

Between 1945-47, he studied mathematics and physics in Helsinki and Turku. In 1946- 1950, painting, Taideteollinen Korkeakoulu, Helsinki. 

Biography 

1950-75, he designed lighting for Stockmann in Helsinki; his fixtures incorporated innovative materials, including coloured and white acrylics, opaline glass, aluminium, and brass. From 1958, he was head of the colour design department of paint manufacturer Schildt & Hallberg. In the early 1960s, he designed a colour plan for the Helsinki Cathedral. He executed lighting designs for numerous firms in Finland and collaborated with Lisa Johansson-Pape as a colour specialist at Stockman/Orno in Kerava. He became an independent designer of lighting, furniture, and furnishings. He wrote several essays on colour, lighting, and design principles.

Recognition

He won gold medals at the 1954 (X) and 1957 (XI) Triennale di Milano for his lighting. He received the 1971 Pro-Finlandia Medal. His work was shown at the 1954—57 USA ‘Design in Scandinavia’ travelling exhibition, the 1955 ‘H 55° exhibition in Helsingborg, the 1958 ‘Formes Scandinaves’ exhibition at the Paris Musée des Arts Décoratifs, 1956—57 West Germany travelling ‘Finnish Exhibition,’ and 1961 ‘Finlandia’ exhibition in Zurich, Amsterdam, and London.

Sources

Byars, M., & Riley, T. (2004). The design encyclopedia. Laurence King Publishing. https://amzn.to/3ElmSlL

Zaczek, I., & O’Mahony, M. (2002). Essential Art Deco. Paragon Publishing. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/essentialartdeco0000zacz_q0i3

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