Kaj Franck—the pioneer of Finnish design who modernized everyday tableware
Kaj Franck (1911–1989) was a master of simplification, often called the conscience of Finnish design. Franck wanted to make objects so self-evident that you hardly even noticed them. The designer also had a strong faith in mass production.
Simple, clear, and practical—familiar descriptors of Finnish design. One of the pioneers who rooted them in the Finnish culture, and perhaps the most influential, was Kaj Franck. This internationally renowned ceramic and glass designer has often been called the conscience of Finnish design.
Franck initially graduated as a furniture drafter from Taideteollisuuskeskuskoulu (the Central School of Art and Design) in 1932. His first major achievement as a designer for the Arabia factory came in the late 1940s with the Kilta dinnerware set, known today as Teema. In the designer’s view, ornate coffee cups and rose decorations had had their day, because a modern lifestyle called for simple, practical, and versatile dishes. He believed in mass production.
Franck followed the same rational approach in his glass design, when he began working as a designer for the Nuutajärvi glass factory in the early 1950s. He modernized everyday glassware to be clear and practical. He expressed his more poetic side as a designer with his one-of-a-kind glass pieces, making broad use of the potential of mouth-blown glass.
In addition to glass and ceramic, Franck designed plastic and enamel pieces during his long career, continuing his proven minimalist approach. He also passed on his expertise to the next generation when he served as an instructor at the University of Art and Design Helsinki in the 1960s.
He expressed his more poetic side as a designer with his one-of-a-kind glass pieces, making broad use of the potential of mouth-blown glass.
Many products designed by Franck are still in production. The Kartio glasses and pitcher, the Teema series, and the Scandia cutlery have become deeply rooted in the Finnish table-setting culture.
The Ateenan aamu glass pieces returned to production in 2011, marking one hundred years since Franck’s birth. They were originally produced at Nuutajärvi from 1954 to 1975 and again from 1992 to 1994.
Sources: Anna-Kaisa Huusko’s article on Kaj Franck in Avotakka 11/2013 and the Iittala website.
