Young Designer of the Year

The Young Designer of the Year prize is an encouragement award with the intention to support young designers in their uncompromising and unique work.


The winners have demonstrated creative vision, competence, daring and entrepreneurship in the design field and have received some international visibility.

The prize sum is 5,000 € and it includes an exhibition. The prize has been awarded annually since 2000 and the receivers of the prize are selectede by a jury.


Recipients of the prize 2000–2022

  • 2022 design studio Juslin Maunula
  • 2021 designer Hanna Anonen
  • 2020 ceramic artist Matias Karsikas (prev. Liimatainen)
  • 2019 designer Laura Väre
  • 2018 master cabinetmaker Antrei Hartikainen
  • 2017 textile and surface designer Reeta Ek
  • 2016 designer, creative director Laura Väinölä
  • 2015 designer Pyry Taanila
  • 2014 footwear designer Minna Parikka
  • 2013 designer Mari Isopahkala and designer Iina Vuorivirta
  • 2012 designer Linda Bergroth and arts/design collective OK Do (Anni Sutela and Jenna Puolakka)
  • 2011 illustrator Laura Laine and fashion designer Heikki Salonen
  • 2010 designer groups Imu and Aivan!
  • 2009 designers Terhi Tuominen and Mikko Laakkonen
  • 2008 designers Nathalie Lautenbacher (Lahdenmäki) and Naoto Niidome
  • 2007 shoe designer Julia Lundsten and designer Janne Kyttänen
  • 2006 industrial designer Jukka Korpihete and furniture designer Mikko Paakkanen
  • 2005 graphic designers Antti Hinkula and Teemu Suviala
  • 2002 designer and cabinetmaker Tuuli Autio and designer and silversmith Pyry Tamminen
  • 2001 interior architect Karola Sahi and architect Eeva Lithovius
  • 2000 designers Harri Koskinen and Ilkka Suppanen




The latest award-winners

Young Designer of the Year 2022: Juslin Maunula

Juslin Maunula – designer, fashion designer Laura Juslin and architect Lilli Maunula – were selected as Design Forum Finland’s Young Designer of the Year 2022.

Young Designer of the Year 2021: Hanna Anonen

Hanna Anonen is a versatile designer whose portfolio covers a wide range from spatial and graphic design to interior decoration products. The pieces, which are often made from painted wood, are characterised by bright colours, unexpected ideas and playfulness.

Young Designer of the Year 2020: Matias Karsikas

The works of Matias Karsikas tread the fine line between functional objects and art. He creates original, sculptural figures, jewellery and lighting units from ceramics, glass and wood.