KARTIO

Known as the conscience of Finnish design, Kaj Frank sought to remove excess in his work leaving only the essentials. In 1958, Franck realized his goal with the Kartio glass, which captured the perfect balance between material and geometric form. Simple, yet durable enough for everyday use, Franck mastered the creation of the basic drinking glass, which is a legendary design beyond any trend. The wide and versatile colour palette of Kartio perfectly represents Iittala’s knowledge of coloured glass.

KAJ FRANCK

Kaj Franck (1911-1989) is known as the “conscience of Finnish design.” Franck grew up in a world with elaborate dining services to sparse stone dishes. During his significant career, Franck asserted himself between the two extremes and profoundly changed our understanding of tableware. He utilized serial production to produce versatile, practical dishware at a reasonable price. Besides social consciousness, Franck’s distinct career was guided by the desire to seek the essential. He studied basic forms endlessly with special focus on proportions.

Franck was a professor at the Helsinki School of Art and Design. His work earned him international acclaim and numerous awards including Finland’s most prestigious design award, which is his namesake. Generations of Iittala consumers have purchased Franck’s successful Teema and Kartio series, making these standard household items a part of the classic design legacy of Kaj Franck.