Heikki Orvola (b.1943) is a driving force of Finnish design. His designs are woven into the everyday lives of Finns, who drink coffee from his cups, eat with his tableware and celebrate their most important moments with his glasses. Throughout Orvola’s prolific career, which began in the late 1960s, he has worked with a variety of materials including glass, ceramics, cast iron, enamel and textiles. Orvola has received many international accolades for his innovative work including Design Plus and the Kaj Franck Design Prize. In 2002, the Finnish president awarded Orvola with the honorary title of Professor for his achievements in design. His decades long collaboration with Iittala has resulted in many signature pieces including the popular Kivi candleholder, Carambola vase and Aika series.
Frá árinu 1881 hefur Iittala lagt áherslu á að bæta daglegt líf með hagnýtum og fallegum hönnunarvörum. Það sem hófst sem lítil glerverksmiðja í samnefndu þorpi í Finnlandi hefur vaxið í alþjóðlegt hönnunarmerki sem hefur mótað norrænan lífsstíl um heim allan.
Kjarninn í hönnun Iittala er tímalaust útlit, endingargæði og notagildi. Hlutirnir eru gerðir til að endast, ekki aðeins í efni heldur líka í stíl – og eru ætlaðir til daglegrar notkunar, kynslóð fram af kynslóð.