Timo Sarpaneva

Timo Sarpaneva (October 31, 1926 – October 6, 2006), was a Finnish designer and professor who was best known for his constructivist works of glass art. Although he preferred glass and metal, he also worked with porcelain, wood and textiles.

Early life

Sarpaneva was born in Helsinki, Finland on October 31, 1926. He graduated from the Institute for Industrial Arts (the forerunner of the University of Arts and Design) in Helsinki in 1948. Even though he was trained as a graphic designer, he spent the majority of his life working as an industrial designer.

Iittala

In 1950, Sarpaneva started designing glassware for Iittala and in 1956, he designed the company's famous i-logo. He worked for Iittala until his death on October 6 2006, aged 79.

Awards

*Silver medal for "Kukko" at the Milan IX Triennale, 1951
*Grand Prix for a glass collection at the Milan X Triennale, 1954
*2 Grand Prixes, 1 for exhibition architecture and 1 for glass at the Milan XI Triennale, 1957
*The Lunning Prize, 1956
*The Pro Finlandia medal, 1958

Honorary degrees

*Honorary Royal Designer for Industry, Royal Society of Arts, London, 1963;
*Honorary Doctor, Royal College of Art, London, 1967;
*Professor honoris causa, Academico de Honor Extranjero, Academia de Diseño, University of Mexico City, 1985;
*Honorary Doctor, University of Art and Design, Helsinki, 1993

External links

* [http://scandinaviandesign.com/timoSarpaneva/ Timo Sarpaneva at scandinaviandesign.com]
* [http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=26195 Timo Sarpaneva at Virtual Finland]