The Kasper Stromman Design Blog

Pelago is a nice Helsinki based bicycle brand that recently moved it’s showroom downtown from sunny Vallilla. Because we here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog basically get invited to all non-lame design related events we went along to have a chat with Pelago founding fathers, the Hyppönen brothers.

– Timo Hyppönen, I hear Pelago has a couple of new bicycle models out this year and… wow, there’s beer at this opening party!

– Sponsored beer. Look, I know your interviewing technique. Try to ignore the beer and let’s focus on the bikes instead.

– Of course. So this is the new Pelago San Sebastian?

– Indeed. A lightweight, agile bike with very responsive steering. There’s two different options for the handle bars, and we also sell it as a frameset.

– That’s very nice indeed. And this year you have also brought out your top of the range model, the Pelago Stavanger?

– That’s correct. This is the highest quality bike we have built to date. It has a unique frame geometry and is designed to meet the demand of different users. It’s as appropriate for those long hikes as it is to zoom around town.

– It definetely looks like a first-class bicycle. What I really like as well is that you not only sell bicycles, but also carry the best bicycling accesories. At least I haven’t seen anyone else in town sell the kind of stuff you have in here?

–  Kasper, I actually think you will like this bag. Have you had a look at the detailing?

– That is one cool bag.

Dear Readers of the Kasper Stromman Design Blog,

We’ve been blogging about Finnish design for a while now. During this time we have covered a lot of ground, and obviously there is still lots more to write about.

But at the same time we have often asked ourself this question: are we not setting unnecessary, artificial boundaries by concentrating on Finnish design only? After all, there is a lot out there in beyond the borders of Finland worth exploring.

But here’s the thing. We are not talking about merely expanding to Scandinavian design here. Or even design at large. We’re talking about finding an answer to that age old question that has puzzled humans for eons: is there design to be found in outer space?

And that’s why we are now proudly launching our new venture, the Kasper Stromman Design Blog Deep Space Exploration Programme.

Over the following months our team of newly hired space scientists will try to tackle this question by all means available to science, and beyond.

Before there was questions. Now there will be answers.

When Puhos shopping centre opened in 1965 it was the largest in Finland. Designed by architect Erkki Karvinen it catered for the quickly growing population of the newly built suburb of Puotinharju.

The shopping centre was very popular from day one, and customers appreciated such upscale modern features as a fountain, children’s playground and one of the country’s first outdoor escalators. So popular was this establishement in fact that in the 1980s the shopping centre had became too small, and the playground was demolished in favour for more retail space to be built. Over the following years the shopping centre tripled in size.

But then came the shock. In 1984 state-of-the-art shopping centre Itäkeskus opened across the road. Puhos suddenly became hopelessly outdated and a slow decline started.

So, the upscale commercial operations moved across the road thirty years ago. But that’s not to say there wouldn’t be any business at all left. Here’s a Puhos ABC:

A is for A-oikeudet

Isn’t it funny that if an establishment has to advertise the fact that they are fully licensed you sort of expect the clientele to be of the heavy drinking kind? We’re not saying it’s true in this case, of course.

B is for Bingo

Ah, bingo halls. The tell-tale sign of unwanted retail space. Not necesserary true of Puhos of course, but let’s just say there ain’t no bingo halls across the road at Itäkeskus.

C is for Çayhane

This we believe, is some kind of Turkish tea house. The international presence is strong anyway, since there is not one but two Thai massage parlours next to it.

So business is not as bad as you would think – despite the fact that Itäkeskus (which for some strange reason was renamed Itis recently) is undergoing a complete modernization as we speak.

So next time you visit Puhos be sure to toss a coin in the famous fountain, and wish Puhos happy shopping for years to come.

Except of course that the fountain was dismantled in the early 2000s.

Terveksi Raumald ja luanikast suvilysti!

RAUMA 2000 NO:11 NORTAMONKATU
Kuva Kai Jalonen
Teksti Hannu Heino 

Horse painting, 100 e

Look at this mighty stallion, look at it go! The only thing we’d do differently is the presentation: the damp basement environment isn’t really doing this piece justice.

Framed duck puzzle, 25 e

Well done, you managed the puzzle all by yourself! Now there’s only one thing ‘puzzling’ us: why should we pay you now that the fun of assembling is gone?

Archipelago impression, 158 e

Not quite like being there, but still a pretty accurate impression of… wow wow wow, guys: just realized IT’S 50 % OFF!

I believe we just got ourself a new painting here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog Worldwide headquarters.

The year 1997 was an affluent and wonderful time. Back then if you went to a Danny concert you not only got a magical concert eperience – you also got a glossy 60 page brochure celebrating the maestro and his upcoming Chinese tour.

By the way Danny, is there something wrong with your guitar?

And what a celebration this publication is! All the best graphic designers of the era was hired to make this brochure a real keeper, not something you would throw away after the concert. 

They were in fact the bravest designers of the land in 1997. Fearlessly they would use the same picture of Danny with his mouth open over and over again, without flinching. But they would also throw in a Las Vegas -style Danny on the same spread, to showcase his diversity as an artist.

Yes, Danny. A real shapeshifter. You never know if to expect him to stand with a guitar in his hand, or in front of a snowy tree looking like a used cars salesman. But you see, that is the beauty of the artist.

Look, there’s that mouthy picture again. Danny really likes this picture of himself.

But why only look at the pictures? By actually sitting down and reading this pamphlet we get a taste for the man. 

Danny sings about the shelter from the wind, but it’s obvious that he himself does not need nor want to be sheltered from the wind. He is a man who enjoys sailing the seven seas and is not afraid of rain or wind.

The men that were born sailors are not afraid of saling against the wind. An adventorous mind waits for new ventures. China is waiting to be ventured.

Okay. But guess which part of this booklet is our favourite?

Clearly the technical crew – these are the guys who really make the magic happen.

We’re so glad you’re included.

Thanks to Ville Manninen for sending us this booklet.

Advertisers do a clever thing where they place two pictures next to each other which they name “before” and “after”. This way potential customers can easily tell what an amazing power the product/service posesses which the advertiser is trying to sell. Here are some examples:

Eyeglasses

With eyeglasses it’s so much easier to read the registration plate of the car racing towards you before you get run over. If you survive this information will come in useful.

Dieting

The lady in the picture might have gotten thinner, but she doesn’t look any happier. That’s because she’s only lost 12 kgs in 3 weeks, which is like super-lame. You can do much better, lady.

Breasts

Look, we are no doctors here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog, but don’t the breasts on the right look kind of lumpy? You might want to have that checked out.

Cleaning products

White, wirey old people’s hairs can easily be removed from a car door with a soft brush.

Remaining youthful

Can you actaully believe there’s 20 years in between each of these pictures? Shame she didn’t start out washing her face with soap before she was 60.

Scratches

Here the advertisers actually just got the texts mixed up, it should be the other way around. It’s amazing how great carving a knife on a table feels.

Preserving your skin’s elasticity

Sometimes there’s really nothing to be done, so why even bother with the ‘after’ pictures. 

It’s not often we review something genuinely, side-splittingly funny here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog, but the book Kiitos Esteban 2002–2011 has to be considered just that.

This compilation of comics, short stories, book reviews and whatnot has had our laughing constantly for the last year or so. It really is that funny.

You probably know the legend about Bishop Henrik and Lalli. But have you read the exciting story about the Bishop, Henrik and Lalli? We’re pretty sure you haven’t.

Expect some triangle drama drawn in the softest of soft pencils!

The book also inlcudes not one but two romantic stories by the mysterious Casper Amore Stromman. Such an enigmatic character.

Friends of Helsinki will also find the part interesting where each part of town has been dedicated it’s own coat of arms. Now that’s both insightful and funny.

And let’s not forget about the book reviews! Highly absorbing reading.

Taikina-Jim ja Muffinssimies is of course already considered an underground classic. Expect plenty of sheanigans from those crazy characters.

All in all a196 page long laugh-fest, so we wouldn’t think twice about ordering the book here.

Seriously though, it will be the best decision of your life. And that’s a Kasper Stromman Design Blog guarantee.

Yön romantiikkaa eli kutu-musiikkia
REEB productions Oy, 1973 

Listen. We’re not going to lie to you: this record is no good. I know we usually upload an interesting track from a fun record each month, but with this one it just isn’t worth the effort. Let’s put it this way: normally records have a mention of who’s playing on them: not this one. Because even the musicians involved feel seem to feel this recording is a bit of  “whatever”. 

This of course does not take away from the fact that we still love the title. And that’s why it is the Kasper Stromman Design Blog record of the month.

Dear Kasper of The Kasper Stromman (Stroemman?) Design Blog,

I have really enjoyed your posts probing the design world. Yet I have to admit that every now and then I do wonder that maybe some of the subjects you choose are not challenging enough for an oracle of your magnitude. I mean all those 80’s record covers and stuff are easy but what about the cutting edge design of today?

After all, we’re living in the World Design Capital and there’s things happening that no-one ever before has experienced: bestseller literature merging with high-brow music, together breathing new life into the paramount form of graphic design, poster art.

I believe that while strolling around our hometown you too have noticed on the billboards that the world premiere of the opera Puhdistus will take place tomorrow.

The composer said in an interview that it will be a completely new take on the story, and I think that he’s just making an understatement (as those wry Estonians often do).

Considering what the poster hints to us with its choice of design decisions, there will be a total opera revolution, as undoubtedly our beloved Leningrad Cowboys and The Red Army Choir with lead vocalist Vesa Keskinen sporting a flame-decorated Hawaii Shirt will hit the stage! In less than 30 hours from now.

Yours,
“The Girl with the Illustrator hair”

Dear Hairy Girl,

Was there a question somewhere in there or are you just some kind of PR person working for this “opera revolution”?

Love,
Kasper Stromman

Kevätpörriäinen is a publication of drawings and writings by school children which has been published annually in Helsinki for the last 60 years.

If you see some children in the street selling it you kind of have to but it, because if you don’t you’re a heartless monster. But of course there’s also another reason: it’s great. Here’s this year’s top 3 artwork:

3. Hilma Helsingin haltijatar by Seelia Sariola and Maija Tiideman

This is a first-rate drawing, but why can’t we shake off this feeling that there is a hidden Jewish message in it? Hmm. Is there?

2. Nähtävyysreitti Helsinkiin by Mira Auvinen

This is great. And as experts in the field of illustration we have to say this: that’s a poster for Helsinki right there. There’s even room for a slogan in the top left corner… “Helsinki –can you HANDle it?”. Easy.

1. Uusi designlelu by Essi Vilhonen

Finally, let us ask you this: in what way is this toy worse than some of the official World Design Capital merchandise? Exactly. In no way.

Kevätpörriäinen is availabe now from a kid on a street corner near you. Unless you don’t live in Helsinki, in which case it’s not really available at all. Tough luck.

Silja Line is a company that has been running passenger traffic between Finland and Sweden since, like, forever. Here’s a top 3 of some of their stuff from the 1970s.

1. Puzzle, 100 pieces

Seems like illustration was the way to go in them olden days, and we here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog totally see why – how could you not love this harbour scene? We can spot a scary sea monster, a shipwrecked dude and a guy with gondola who looks completetly lost. Wow.

2. Record

After you were done with your puzzle, why not recreate the laid back cruise athmosphere at home with this record of sweet sea tunes? Sure, there is no tax-free shop at hand, but an hours worth of accordion based music is sure to put a smile on your face. A big, handsome grin, that is.

1. Boarding card for children

And finally, how cool is this boarding card where they have turned the ship into Noah’s ark? Gotta love the biblical undertones. Basically what Silja Line is saying here is that the world is about to end, so enjoy your cruise. Now good night, sweetie.

One of the least known parks of Helsinki is Seppo Renvallin puisto. Have you ever heard about it? Neither have we. Hidden away at the Vallila industrial district you’d anyhow be forgiven if you missed it.

But that’s why we here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog payed a visit; here are some facts.

1) There’s still piles of snow around in April, so we guess it’s a very convenient place to dump excess snow over the winter months. That’s something.

2) The park is popular amongst toddlers, and they leave their toddler car seats behind.

3) Park dwellers are mostly of the creative type, judging by the way they open their cans of cider with knives covered in duct tape. What? Come on, that has to be considered creative.

4) There’s also a Palestine connection, as proved by this scarf.

Seppo Renvall. We are really, genuinely sorry about your park.

Tampere
PRINTED IN FINLAND BY UUSI KIVIPAINO OY
SUOMALAINEN VALMISTE 

Urho Kekkonen was president of Finland from 1956 to 1982, which is a long time. Naturally this is reflected in the number of monuments erected over time. Here’s a top 3.

Raahe

This figurative bronze statue by sculptor Matti Peltokangas is the most recent statue of Kekkonen, as it was erected in 2008. Why Raahe? Apparently Kekkonen was the main reason Raahe got a huge steel mill going once upon a time.

Peltokangas’ original competition enty also included Kekkonen’s wife Sylvi, but she didn’t make it to the final statue. But knowing this, doesn’t Kekkonen seem a bit off-center on his plinth? Like he’s just waiting for the old lady to arrive? 

Kajaani

Suuri aika by sculptor Pekka Kauhanen is also made out of bronze, but eight meters tall and definitely abstract. Why Kajaani? We’re told here’s where Kekkonen grew up, and that’s why this monument was erected on Kekkonen’s birthday in 1990.

Is it just us, or is there a “screw you” vibe over this monument? No, it’s probably just us.

Helsinki

Lähde by Pekka Jylhä is the most recent addition to the list of Kekkonen monuments, and unveiled in 2000. It consists of four eight meter tall bronze hands hovering over a drop shaped pool.

Thanks to heating this pool is supposed not to freeze over when cold, but apparently it’s much easier just to cover the pool with a tarpaulin over the winter months. Which in Helsinki unfortunately last about eight months.

And why Helsinki? Why not?

Vintage Finnair spoon
“Borrowed” from aircraft ca. 1999

Pre-9/11 dining in an aircraft used to be a pretty sweet deal. Not only did the food taste better (?), but you’d be eating it with cutlery made out of high-grade, solid steel.

Of course there were risks involved in providing passengers with these potentially lethal weapons –  sometimes a traveller would take down an entire airplane crew armed with only a dessert spoon – but that’s the kind of risks airlines were willing to take back in the day.

Not anymore of course. That’s why we should be thankful that Kasper Stromman himself has thoughtfully preserved a vintage specimen of the metal spoon for future generations. Reader’s of this blog will also most certainly know how to appreciate the engraved classic Finnair logo.

Airline cutlery made out of metal – gone but not forgotten.

Yellow City is an anthology of illustrated stories about Helsinki, published by Napa Illustrations.  As avid followers of the literary scene we at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog were naturally at the release party.

The party was fun and the book looked okay and everything, but what’s most important – the beer was sponsored! As someone who is actively looking for a beer sponsor, this fact pretty much blew us away here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog. 

– Marjo Granlund of Napa Illustrations, congratulations on the new book. How did you go about to get a beer sponsor?

– Thank you! This book has been long in the making, so it really is great to finally have it out. What comes to the beer sponsorship, I guess we went the usual route of calling the beer people up, who then saw an opportunity for a partnership in this event.

Leena and Jussi.

– That’s so great, and not only because Heineken is such a delicious beer. Well carbonated, with light hop notes and a crisp touch of rye. I wish we at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog had such a great beer sponsor.

– Okay? Anyway, the book features seventeen Helsinki themed literally works from today’s most prolific authors, which are then illustrated by Finland’s foremost illustration professionals.

Johnny and Pauliina.

– Yeah. Heineken is so refreshing, and easily palatable. I think the guests of this party are incredibly lucky to have such an amazing sponsored beer at hand.

– You’re not really going to ask me anything about the book, are you?

– No.

– I believe this interview is over.

Keltainen kaupunki / Yellow City is available at all good book stores now.

Stormtrooper
Christer Nuutinen 1983
Painted wood

Lahti is a city situated 100 km north-east of Helsinki, and is in no way short of things to see. Here are the top three Lahti based souvenirs.

3. Picture of town hall in horseshoe shaped frame

Just like a lot of other cities Lahti can pride itself with having buildings and statues of nude people. Once you visited the city this souvenir will remind you of this fact forever.

2. Sticker, Coat of arms

The symbol of Lahti depicts a train wheel surrounded by sparkling flames. It is commonly thought to symbolize the hurry inhabitants get into when leaving for Helsinki.

1. Framed photograph of water tower in funky plastic frame

However, if you had to choose one thing Lahti is famous for, it’s got to be the city’s ability to supply pressurized water for everyone. That’s why the water tower is a must-see for visitors – and also the main reason why Lahti is often referred to as the tap water capital of Finland.

The Kasper Stromman Design Blog magazine of the month is Roiskeläppä, published by Karprint. The first issue features singer Eini on the cover, whose biggest claim to fame is her 1977 Finnish cover version of the Baccara hit Yes sir, I can boogie.

The magazine is very enthusiastic about the fact that Eini “talks like a man about cars and driving”. We also learn that the singer has recently taken up zumba fitness.

The second main feature is about former bodybuilder and singer Kike Elomaa, who is now a Member of Parliament representing the Racist Party True Finns. We learn that she  refuses to recieve any compensation for her cab fares as an MP, and used to drive a sponsored “Ford Siesta” back in the day. Fascinating.

Then Roiskeläppä seems to run out of singers in their 50s, and instead interviews a random woman who apparently “enjoys being stuck in traffic… where she can send texts and organize her papers.” She also won’t commute by bus since “there might not be room for all passengers”.

After this Roiskeläppä throws away all pretentious of being a car mag, and does an article on Finnish schlager music instead. Is the lady on the right really setting fire to her shoe?

In conclusion: Roiskeläppä caters to the over 50s crowd who likes to drive everywhere, and likes to do this while listening to Finnish music from the 80s.

For anyone under 50 it’s a fascinating glimpse into a world of bland music with singers you are vaguely aware of, and where public transport is considered strange and mystical. Because, you know, car is king.

Rating: 7

Hi Kasper Stromman!

Here’s a solution to Bryan’s metro problem:

(http://judithfdgagnon.eklablog.com/le-transport-en-commun-le-manque-de-savoir-vivre-a4348112)

This is what they use in the Montreal metro; the big arrow shows where people exit the train, and the small arrows indicate where new passengers should stand. I’ve used the Montreal metro before and after this arrow make-over, and while it did not get rid of the problem completely it definitely helped. I don’t know how to get the City of Helsinki to take on this arrow scheme, but I hope this will get you and your staff at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog their week’s worth of free beer.

With kind regards,
Sari 

Dear Sari,

This is brilliant! Arrows – why didn’t anybody think of this before?

And Bryan – looks like it’s beer o’ clock here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog Worldwide Headquarters.

Love,

Kasper Stromman 

Having also experienced the torment of the metro doors I sympathise with Bryan’s plight. Might I suggest the following: 

Firstly, the metro driver pulls up to a stop as per normal, allowing a crowd of aggressive Ins to gather. They then toss a coin (preferably a 50 cent piece because it’s a big coin and it’s dark down there) and if it lands heads, quickly shunt forwards five metres and open the door. If tails, reverse backwards five metres. This will allow the Outs to get out while the Ins scramble towards the new position of the metro doors.

Because this will become the norm, crowds will start to gather near the first door closing position only to then rush five metres either left or right to pre-empt the decision of the coin toss. Basic game theory will allow for a safe dispersal of a crowd so that the Outs will outnumber the Ins. 

The driver has an optional non-toss position of pretending to move backwards or forwards but actually staying in the same place. This should be utilised only as sporadically as a the likelihood of a 0 and 00 in a US style roulette wheel.

I can see absolutely nothing wrong with this system. Can you get Bryan to post me a beer?

Thanks,
Adam

Dear Adam,

Your system seems absloutely spot-on and well thought through to me, and I too can not see any fault in it for the life of me.

I will absolutely get Bryan to post you a beer.

Love,
Kasper Stromman

Dear Mr Kasper Stromman,

I read Bryan’s offer to sponsor your beer for a week, provided that you come up with a solution for his problem with getting off the train in an orderly manner. Only minutes thereafter, I had forgotten all about it.

It wasn’t until yesterday, while I was watching my favorite Tom & Jerry cartoons, that I realized that what might work for mice, might work for men as well. You see, in one episode Tom paints a hole in the wall. And wouldn’t you guess that Jerry bumps his head into it over and over again, until he realizes that his hiding place is actually somewhere else.

Inspired by this very funny episode, I went out and did a field experiment in the metro, where I spray-painted fake doors next to the real ones. As I was running head over heels to escape the security guards, I was able to observe at least seven people stopping outside the fake door and waiting for them to open. They did not, however, bump into the doors, which I attribute to the higher intelligence of humans compared to mice. Instead, when the real doors opened and weary commuters poured out without resistance, these seven persons realized their mistake and entered through the real doors a few seconds later. Needless to say, without bumping into anyone.

With best regards,
Kimmo

Dear Kimmo,

Why of course! Often it’s the most obvious solution that works the best.

So Bryan, where’s the brewski?

Love,
Kasper Stromman 

Easter is the holiday when you can feast on chocolate eggs for days on end because of all that fasting you’ve been doing. In that sense it’s actually much like an egg based all-you-can-eat buffet. Here’s a review of the most prolific eggs this year:

Lakupeikko yllätysmuna

Unconventional black wrapping, but then this is a liquorice flavoured chocolate egg which is very avant-garde. The four tooth grin on the wrapper is probably meant as a warning for kids: don’t have too many of these or your teeth will fall off.

Wow, that smells kind of funky? Combination of brown and grey chocolate also doesn’t look too appetizing. Given that we do realize that the grey comes from the liquorice flavouring. At least there’s a toy inside.

A kind of sad toy as well. Is this the work of pouchers? We guess this is another lesson for the kids: don’t go poaching. Tigers are extinct, you know.

Rating: 7

SM-Liiga egg

Ha ha, an ice-hockey themed easter egg – what will they think of next? The SM egg is however a combination of white and brown chocolate, and thus quite sweet – just like ice hockey.

Inside we found a little retarded looking goalie who also looks like he’s doing a HUGE number two as we speak. The detailing is quite nice though, so well done little children in the third world who paint these figurines for a living.

Rating: 8

Rölli yllätysmuna (strawberry)

Okay didn’t know this Rölli character was still around? Also, we remember him as looking kind of like a homeless person – who’s this blond dude on the wrapper? Interesting.

But COME ON, this is BY FAR the most disgusting egg of the bunch. It sort of smells like liquid children’s penicillin, and tastes like an old chewing gum you might find stuck under a table. Seriously Rölli, why do you let them associate your good name with this crap? 

And what’s up with the surprise inside? “Zodiac”? Shouldn’t this at least be Rölli themed?

You know what this smells of? Badge engineering. Seems like the people behind the Rölli franchise just took some random chocolate egg and wrapped it up in a different foil. We’re sorry, but that’s just not on.

Rating: 4

Moomin egg

Well, this egg is huge. And reassuringly weighty.  And the chocolate? By far the best of the bunch. Dark-ish, velvety and luxurious. The Rölli people should pay attention to what the Moomin people are doing – this is the way we turn our product into chocolate based merchandise.

Inside there’s a little Moomintroll, which isn’t a huge surprise or anything. But again: this  is a well sculpted little troll, and noone is going to be disappointed. Unlike with the Rölli egg.

Rating: 9 – go Moomin! 

Pupuneidin yllätysmuna

Okay, high expectations for this one: Fazer is quite famous for their chocolate, so we expect a level of quality on this one. Also, we’re suprised it’s branded with this comletely anonymous Pupuneiti character, but then again this one should be all about the chocolate.

When unwrapped there’s definetely a nice texture to the egg. And bright scarlet pod is kind of cool. But Fazer Fazer Fazer – you let us down. The chocolate is German made, and quite disgusting. What happened there? 

At least the toy inside is kind of fun. And fuzzy. Very pleasing to the touch. But seriously though, the chocolate was gross.

Rating: 7

Mignon egg

See, this is what we are thinking of when we think Fazer: the Mignon egg. In production since 1896, this is a time-honored classic. Comes in a real egg shell.

Although here’s the thing: we’re sorry to say this, but we here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog have never been fans of the Mignon egg. Yes, it comes in a real eggshell. But is that a good thing? They probably didn’t have much else around in 1896.

And it’s not even made out of chocolate, but rather solid nougat. But the REAL shocker is there’s no surprise inside! Just solid, boring nougat. And that’s not an easter egg as we know it here at the Kasper Stromman Design Blog – that’s just a lump of disappointment. 

Rating: 5

So there we have it folks: If there is a lesson to be learnt from all this, it’s that it was never about the chocolate, but rather the small useless trinkets manufactured in the Far East.

Happy easter!

No attention should be paid to mämmi, nor should it recieve any acknowlegment. We should all just try to ignore this traditional “food”, and serving it to foreign guests while going “tee hee, we have this food that looks and tastes like diarrhea” should be made illegal. Finland has a lot of traditional foods that actually taste good, so let’s try not to ruin our reputation by even talking about mämmi, shall we.

Dear Mämmi Hater,

Aren’t you taking this a bit too personally? It’s only mämmi after all, and some people actually like it.

Mämmi mämmi mämmi.

Love,
Kasper Stromman 

As we all know, 95 percent* of Finnish people carry their washables in the classic blue Ikea bag. There are other known uses, but It’s without a doubt a stone cold laundry day classic. 

*Completely made up statistic.

Of course you do have a bit of choice though, since it also comes in yellow (where the handles still remain blue). Both colour combinations obviously draw inspiration from the flag of Sweden.

But has anyone ever tried to challenge the Ikea bag? Because isn’t design a lot of times about improving an existing object to make it even better?

This is the exact briefing we gave to the Kasper Stromman Design Blog Research and Development Department. Because it would after all be silly to employ all these people without giving them anything to do.

Our R&D Department worked for less then a week before coming up with this interesting concept:

Which is simply a stroke of genius.

Because as you can see R&D didn’t change any of the qualities that make the bag superior for carrying laundry (light weight, water proof, low cost), but they did change the colours to better match the Finnish flag.

That’s Finnish design as it’s best right there.

Design by Marko Salonen, 1947.

PS. Did you know that the Kasper Stromman Design Blog is looking for a beer sponsor? Just saying.