About Hanna Anonen

Finnish Resident #1 | May 2 - June 30, 2022

Hanna Anonen was selected in collaboration with The Finnish Cultural Institute in New York to be the first Finnish residency to experience the IC + WD International Residency.

Hanna Anonen is a versatile designer whose portfolio covers a wide range from spatial and graphic design to interior decoration products, such as furniture and smaller items.

Her work is reinventing the image of Finnish modern design and has received international attention. Hanna Anonen’s style is bold and unique, her pieces are characterized by bright colors, unexpected ideas and playfulness.

hannaanonen.com
@hannaanonen

Learn more about the Finnish Residency

“I’m inspired by the fusion of art and everyday life. I want the combination of these themes to visually create my own visual style. Details of the color-inspired urban environment include brightly colored fire ladders and balcony railings or seats in the metro. As an output of form, I want to make industrial techniques by combining it with an organic abstract form and colors. I want to mix these influences with the canon of modern design and create new experiments and surprising shapes that bring a new look to Finnish product design.

As a female designer in this modern culture I find it strange that there are still not so many women in this field. Through my work I would like to pave the way for other young female designers.

During the residency period, working would be a time for a creative process for me. And open-mindedly, actively and curiously look around everyday life like buildings, decorations, materials, labels, toilet tiles, people, fashion and everyday objects and the materials and colors that have been used. Colors are the most important way for me to express myself. In my work colors are intense and vibrant.

My aim is to create a unique design that is high quality and interesting in content. During my residency, I intend to work hard and creatively, inspired by the environment because the environment also has an impact on my own work. Previously I have found inspirations to my works and design from Paris.”

Residency Project

Hanna in New York

Hanna’s Experience

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.

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

HA: “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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Carole Baijings