KAJ FRANCK DESIGN PRIZE
(established 1992)
The Kaj Franck Design Prize is awarded to a designer or team of designers working in the spirit of the late Kaj Franck. The purpose of the prize is to support a designer or team innovatively creating industrially made products or works.
A particular merit is active involvement in the field of applied art and also the design of unique works.
The Kaj Franck Design Prize can be awarded to a Finnish designer or team, or one that resides or works in Finland. The prize is awarded on the basis of the whole oeuvre of the designer or team.
In addition to a prize sum of 10 000 euros the Kaj Franck Design Prize includes the Kaj Franck Medal, designed by Tapio Junno, and a prize exhibition.
This prize was established by Design Forum Finland and it is funded by the Finnish Fair Foundation. The recipient is chosen by a prize jury. The prize is awarded annually without prior application and it is announced to the public in November.
Kaj Franck (1911-1989) was one of the leading figures of Finnish design, the teacher of several generations of professional designers, and an influential figure in design and applied arts in his own day. He was artistic director of the Wärtsilä Group (present-day iittala Oy) and artistic director and teacher at the College of Applied Arts, the predecessor of the University of Art and Design Helsinki.
The Finnish Fair Foundation
In funding the Kaj Franck Design Prize, the Finnish Fair Foundation wishes to express its respect for the significant work and achievements of Kaj Franck as a pioneer of the culture of Finnish design and to extend its recognition and support to Finland's present-day designers.
Winners of the Kaj Franck Prize 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012