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The international glass design competition, organized by Gerhard Bürger foundation and Glasmanufaktur Harzkristall glass factory, was aimed for glass design students. The theme was "House of Glass". The interpretation of the theme was free and it sought for artistic and craftily high-quality work in home furnishings or in utility crafts.

The winning work of Jokinen and Konu was a product family, which included, among other things, glasses, a lamp and various dishes.

"Our work was based on a totally new kind of glass blowing mold made of various modules, which offers a new way to manufacture objects in the glass product family. At the same time, the mold can be used to implement countless different objects for different uses", the designers explain.

Usually, each item always needs a customized mold, but with the modular mold developed by Jokinen and Konu, the possibilities are endless. This also makes finding new forms much easier.

Glass studio creates strong expertise

The prize ceremony was held last weekend at the Glasmanufaktur Harzkristall glass factory in Derenburg, Germany. The competition is highly valued in the field and the jury consisted of professionals from all over Europe. The main prize, 2 000 euro, also includes a two-weeks working session with professional glass blowers at Glasmanufaktur Harzkristall glass factory.

"Success in the international glass design competition is a great tribute to us. We are very excited and happy to win. But the best thing is still ahead when we return to the Harzkristall glassworks in the autumn to work on this project. "

The men are second-year students at Aalto University's Department of Design, where Jokinen studies in the Collaborative & Industrial Design programme and Konu in the Product & Spatial Design programme.

According to the designers, their success also reflects the long-term and high-quality teaching made at Aalto University's glass studio. "In the rest of Europe, the university's own glass studio is very rare. For us, it has been a tremendous privilege that has allowed all kinds of experimentation that can lead to wonderful results. And of course, it is also important for the entire Finnish glass industry."

For more information: 

MA student Jukka Jokinen, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, jukka.t.jokinen@aalto.fi