Post 18. Young finnish designer in 2008.

The young finnish designer-prize was given to two designers in year 2008: Nathalie Lahdenmäki (born 1974) and Naoto Niidome (born 1974). Both of these young designers have been studying in the University of Art and Design in Helsinki: Nathalie studied in glass- and ceramics section and Naoto in furniture deisgn section.

In addition to this, Niidome has studied clothing design. This veratile designer has worked so far within furniture design, clothing design, graphic design and unique items. In his work he has combined ideas and materials in a fresh way, for example "dressing up" furnitures instead of sheathing them.

Nathalie Lahdemäki uses ceramics and glass as her materials. Lahdenmaki's sophisticated and sensitive way of working has created from old materials new unique items. Nathalie also teaches product design in the University of Art and design.

The jury justificated their desicion about the winners by declaring that these designers are very promising for the future as well. Their eork is done with careful touch without going to the extremes. The result is original and suprising design. Their products are not shouting but they have something deeply spiritual in them. Both of the deisgners have also worked for famous Finnish companies as Iittala and Marimekka. Also both of these deisgners are half Fnnish: Lahdenmaki half french and Niidome half japanese. They represent in their production traditional finnish design - clear and pre lines

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This picture on the right represents Niidome's production for Marimekko. In the picture above you can see Lahdenmäki's work for finnish comapny Iittala.