Hanna Anonen on Playfulness - As Both Attitude and Style

AN INTERVIEW WITH FCINY’S DESIGNER-IN-RESIDENCE

Hanna Anonen is a Finnish product and spatial designer known for her bright, bold, and playful style. Hanna has gained international attention through her spirited products, along with achievements such as being crowned Finland’s Young Designer of The Year in 2021, and her collaborations with brands like Made by Choice, Hakola, and Mifuko. Hanna has a versatile portfolio ranging from graphic to spatial design, including an array of furniture and interior products. Her exhibition architecture is currently on view in and around Helsinki; the Design for Every Body -exhibition at the Design Museum, and the Long Live Wivi Lönn! -exhibition at the Museum of Finnish Architecture, to mention a few.

In early May, Hanna arrived in New York for her residency – supported by Industry City, Wanted Design, and us here at the FCINY. The Institute’s Helmi Korhonen spent a day exploring lower Manhattan together with Hanna; in conversation about her origins, creative process, and time in NYC.

“Did you always know you wanted to be a designer?” Helmi begins, “How and when did you make that decision?”

For me, I guess, it’s that same cliché story everyone tells of their childhood. I was always a creative kid; my hands were constantly busy with drawings, paintings, and all types of crafts. (She says this while passing an Arts & Crafts store on Bond Street, making a mental note of wanting to return back to get equipment later). Craft making was the natural path to follow, and I ended up with a degree in carpentry before my BA from the Lahti Institute of Design. I was just so interested in wood as a material.

This was followed by my MA from Aalto University – which, funnily enough, was called the University of Art and Design Helsinki (or TAIK) when I started my studies. I was in the building when that big transition happened; walked into one school and out of another.

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”Speaking of transitions –”, Helmi continues, “how has it felt transitioning to New York from Helsinki? Does anything feel particularly different, exciting, or unexpected?”

First of all, getting to be here is such an incredible opportunity. I didn’t know that many people from the city beforehand, so I feel like I’m seeing it with fresh eyes whenever I step out. I’ve learned to love my commute to Industry City in Brooklyn from the residency apartment in Harlem; passing through Manhattan on the D train almost daily gives me the chance to explore the city’s most bustling corners.

Funnily enough, my time in NYC (and especially Harlem) has made me an avid user of Shazam. There are block parties on my street every now and then; young people gather there and listen to all types of upbeat music. I just love sticking my hand out the window and Shazaming these songs that I would have never found otherwise. My phone is full of new finds. (Fun fact, Hanna provided us with a few songs worth the mention. Find them here, behind this link, by clicking this, and also here.)

I grew up in and around Lappeenranta, which feels very different compared to NYC. I remember that in my childhood one of my biggest wishes was – as simple as it sounds – an asphalt road to ride my bike on. I was used to countryside gravel and rocky back roads, so something about a smooth, gliding surface felt so inviting and unheard of to me as a kid. Now, in this city, all I see is concrete and asphalt, so I guess in a funny way my childhood dreams came true.

But yes – I’d say I’m a big fan of just going out and exploring.

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”How much of that exploring are you able to fit into your daily routine?”

Surprisingly, an incredible amount! I’m averaging around 15 000 steps per day. As much as I love the open offices at Industry City and how easy it is to mingle with people from varying backgrounds and trades, I think for me the act of just leaving the office and seeing the city with its quirks is the most rewarding way to spend time here. I’ve explored so many areas; from Manhattan’s SoHo and Central Park to Brooklyn’s Greenpoint and Williamsburg, to Queens, the Bronx, then Coney Island, and all the way to Montauk. I’m always finding new odd things, seeing inspiration around me, and then taking pictures of it. It feels very intuitive, even playful.

On our walk, this habit of noticing – be it in the form of interesting textures, hues, or interiors – becomes apparent. Hanna peeks into window displays, points out interesting color combinations, and comments on the “fenkkari” (Finnish designer-slang for Feng Shui) of an ambiently lit cafe on Lafayette Street. We make our hurried way to a specific blue wall Hanna remembered from an earlier visit to Houston Street, and snap a few photos. It’s easy to marvel at the colors in the company of someone who uses them so vibrantly in their work.

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“If there was something you could take back with you from these NYC walks to Helsinki, what would it be?”

This might sound a bit funny, but I’ve been super inspired by the use of silver paint in this city; you see it everywhere. Rooftops are painted silver, and that same paint is used to coat wood and metal alike. I’m interested in digging deeper into this phenomenon; maybe there is a history to it? What makes people want to mimic the shine of metal? Does the aesthetic feel more futuristic or vintage? I’d love to use it somehow in my work, in the future.

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”Your portfolio is indeed known for its playful use of color. Are there any values, besides playfulness, that guide you in your work?”

I’d say quality, sustainability, and durability are some big ones for me as well. In both the production phases and the material itself.

“Tying back to your personal style: Do you ever feel like you’re at odds with what Nordic design is supposed to look like (ie. neutral, minimalistic)? How do you make color choices?”

I don’t necessarily feel at odds with more traditional stylistic approaches in the Nordics, but I do feel like I’m actively trying to expand that box. In a way, I feel like I want to reinvent the image of what modern Finnish design looks like via a playful approach… Make space for more work that defies those neutral-toned norms.

When it comes to color choices, I’d say it’s a mix of intuition, preference, and collaboration. I do tend to intuitively gravitate towards certain favorite colors, but in a lot of my work, color choices have come about through working and ideating together with the companies I collaborate with.

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“You mention company collaboration; could you briefly describe your typical creative and working process?”

About half of my work is done solo, about half collaboratively. It’s important for me to strike a balance between working independently and as a part of a team. I really enjoy both methods.

Typically, the design process inside my head tends to run along quite far before I can get anything super concrete done.  In a group setting, this means that I have to share my thinking in somewhat early stages. I’ve had to learn to present my ideas through for example moodboards, and to also come to terms with showing even my most embarrassing drafts. Letting those ideas out early is so integral to finding my next steps in the design process.

“You're working on a new collection here in NYC, too. How is that coming along and are there any secrets you can reveal to us yet?”

The fun thing about my new collection is that I wasn’t largely planning on it. But the longer I’ve been in the city, the more I’ve been able to process what inspires me here. I’ve started 3D modeling and sketching a new concept collection with products ranging from candle holders and dining tables to matching benches and sconce lights. The main inspiration for it has been the subway system and urban grids of New York; I’ve been compelled by their repeating visual motives, especially rectangles.

For many, the NYC subway system may feel messy and a bit gross, but I’ve noticed so much beauty in the everydayness of it. I really like toying with the idea of finding something that’s not obviously beautiful but digging deeper below the grime and grit of the city anyhow – then in the process revealing something worthwhile and inspiring underneath. I guess it’s that famous idea of another’s trash as someone else’s treasure.

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“What’s next for you after your time in New York?”

I’ve actually gone ahead and already sent some initial drawings of my new collection to a carpenter in Finland. So upon my arrival back home to Helsinki, I’ll have the chance to see physical prototypes of what I came up with during my time here! A reverse-souvenir, in some funny sense.

I’m also excited to continue collaborating with the Finnish Cultural and Academic Institute Network; I have an exhibition opening at the Institut Finlandais in Paris this coming fall. Opening ceremonies will take place in conjunction with Paris Design Week, which feels super exciting! (More about this on our socials soon.)

Other than that, I hope to just continue with my craft; process all the inspiration I’ve gathered during my time in NYC, keep in touch with all the wonderful people I’ve met in this city, and paint my new wooden prototypes (maybe with that specific silver paint).

Find out more about Hanna, her work, and her future endeavors on her website, instagram, and on the FCINY socials.