In Matti Klenell’s design, the pattern and functional shape are constantly in close dialogue—the Syksy line enhances the unique expression of glass and pairs poetic delicacy with practicality. A nuanced feel of rain has been captured in the glass products as an organic, relief-like surface structure.

Matti Klenell is a Swedish designer who has, in addition to glassware, designed furniture and lighting fixtures. He is known for his exceptional sense of form and ability to create completely new interpretations that, with only a few strokes of the pencil, update the Nordic design tradition.

A youthful curiosity to work with something creative brought me to Konstfack in Stockholm, where I studied interior and furniture design. First, I worked a lot with lighting design, and then later I came to explore glass, partly because it has a connection to lighting but also because I come from a family of glass makers. I guess it was a subconscious way to try to understand my parents and their practice.

When collaborating with Marimekko, it felt like an obvious and interesting challenge to combine glass material with patterns in one way or another. We instantly liked the drawn, sketchy approach of the Syksy concept. The Syksy patterns also have a practical purpose: the tactile dimension helps prevent the glasses from getting stuck when stacked.

Spaces. Real everyday rooms or imaginary places where the objects I work with are part of the scenery. The best designs I have made derive from specific spatial contexts that generate the form of the object. I guess it has to do with my training as an interior architect that I often use the location as the spark for new ideas.

Relevant, personal, and functional. In that order.