Teija Vartiainen
- Textile Design
- Clothing and Accessory Design
- Graphic design
- Illustration
- Designer
- Artist
- Uusimaa
Lilith Cooperative
- Competent
My work is guided by curiosity and intuition. At the beginning of each project, I look for a new perspective on a topic that interests me. I work with two contrasting methods: drawing expressive, playful patterns, and painting abstract, refined surfaces. Recently hand-drawn patterns have ended up to home decoration products in Japan (Yagi Tsusho, Sangetsu, Senshukai), as well as abstract paintings to wallpapers around the world (Feathr), most recently for the renewed Kiila restaurant in the center of Helsinki. Currently I work on a series of jacquard woven art textiles.
I offer design services that increases the experiential value of a product, service or space. In addition to visual design, I also give private teaching on digital jacquard weaving at the textile workshop Välitila Studio in Helsinki (or remotely). In addition, I create unique jacquard woven art textiles to order.
Experience
Work experience
Updated 8/2023
Freelance
Textile and Visual Designer
2012 – present
Joutsen Finland
Visual Merchandiser
2017 – 2023
H&M, New Development (SE)
Print and Accessory Design Assistant
2013 – 2013
Lumi Accessories
Assistant in Design, Visual Merchandise, Customer Service
2010 – 2013
PatternLab, Aalto-yliopisto
Print Designer and Trade Show Responsible
2011 – 2012
Hanna Sarén
Print and Fashion Design Assistant
2010 – 2010
Polka Paper Company
Design Assistant
2007 – 2007
Education
Updated 8/2023
Aalto University
Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design (MA)
2010 – 2016
Kuopio Academy of Design
Clothing Design (BA)
2005 – 2009
University of Central Lancashire
Fashion Design (Erasmus exchange)
2008 – 2008
Works
2023
In Between is a large-scale wallpaper that was originally designed for a Client’s new restaurant space Kiila Food&Bar in the center of Helsinki. The wallpaper is a key element in the interior of the restaurant, as it covers 650m2 of the walls and ceiling of the space. The wallpaper creates a memorable atmosphere and takes the eating experience to the next level.
Design brief was exceptional since the time between the Client’s first contact to the delivery of the final production-ready file was only a week. The printing and adjusting the final colour was done by my long-term collaborator Feathr, a contemporary wallpaper editor for residential and contract interiors.About the process: since the schedule was tight, I started with existing watercolour paintings that were still unused. I was intrigued how the watercolours unpredictably formed fan-like patterns caused by large-grained salt and excess water. At the same time I was reading books about Japanese gardens and the philosophy behind them. Subconsciously the paintings were influenced by layered nature of the landscape, empty space, pause, and asymmetric balance. The original paintings were worked into repeating pattern, with dimensions of H200 cm x W400 cm.
Adobe PhotoshopIllustrationPattern Design
Collaborators
Kiila Food&Bar CambianoForma Oy
Feathr Oy
2022
I was one of three Finnish designers who were selected to FINNTASIA, a joint project by Business Finland and Japanese print licensing company Yagi Tsusho. My two patterns are used in various home decoration products in Japan.
Adobe PhotoshopPattern Design
Collaborators
Business Finland – Embassy of Finland in Japan, Trade Section (JP)
Yagi Tsusho (JP)
2022
I was one of three Finnish designers who were selected to FINNTASIA, a joint project by Business Finland and Japanese print licensing company Yagi Tsusho. My two patterns are used in various home decoration products in Japan.
Adobe PhotoshopPattern Design
Collaborators
Business Finland – Embassy of Finland in Japan, Trade Section (JP)
Yagi Tsusho (JP)