Elizabeth Salonen was born in Canada, and studied design in Finland and in the U.S., acquiring a degree in Industrial Design from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. In 2005, Salonen relocated to Helsinki and established Mottoform, a Helsinki-based design studio. Salonen’s versatility can be seen in projects for prominent Finnish and international brands, and her work ranges between product, furniture, interior and graphics. Nordic influences are evident in the form language of her designs, and in the desire to push the limits of material and manufacturing processes. Her work has earned several international design awards. For Salonen, inspiration comes from the small events in everyday life – a new ingredient, an artifact, people, water. She enjoys designing products that people need and use everyday. She describes her design process, “When I’m in a different country, a different culture, I observe things through a different lens. Everyday rituals can be surprisingly new. I often try to recreate that feeling in my designs – to give the product a personality, a surprise, or a new perspective.”
ANNABELL AND LIBI
Annabell and Libi are pendant lights with modernist Finnish influences. Annabell is a union of two different forms that create tension within the simple object. The geometric lines of the outer bell shape contrast with the soft shape of the light’s glowing inner dome. Annabell embodies elements of classic Finnish design: simplicity, functionalism, and honesty. The rounded Libi pendants are more humanistic and look different from every angle. The friendly, playful forms are influenced by designing the lights in the dark of Finland’s winter. “When it’s cold and dark, you stay indoors. Fire and light are the closest you get to the sun’s energy – it’s great when the lights have a positive effect on how you feel.” Salonen adds, “The asymmetrical shapes remind me of a hat on a head. It’s like having friends in the room.” Annabell and Libi are manufactured in Finland by Keraplast, a company that since the 90’s also produces classics like Yki Nummi’s Modern Art Lamp, designed in 1955. Nummi was one of the first designers in Finland to use acrylic material for lamps. The rounded plastic shapes of the 60’s were, in part, a result of the thermoforming process. With Annabell and Libi Salonen aims to stay true both to the material and the process by using modernist shapes in a new way.
