A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This is the most important thing that I've realized in my life so far. I've managed to use it to my advantage in both my personal and professional life and found that this is really the only thing that sets me apart from others … Continue reading It starts with one
Author: Jonas
Never Monday
Over the past ten years I've strived to mix my work and leisure time to such a degree that I wouldn't ever notice that it's Monday - the traditional day to loathe since it's the beginning of the work week for most people. It's silly really. I've been blessed in that I've been able to work … Continue reading Never Monday
The don’t be a d**k rule
Warning, expletives extensively used throughout this post. I took a car trip with a friend not long ago and we started discussing former colleagues and school mates and how you don't get to choose who you spend your days with. I explained to him that I strive to live by the don't be a dick rule, … Continue reading The don’t be a d**k rule
Swedish mid century teak manufacturers and artists
When teak was introduced in the Nordics in the early 1950s it was seen as something new and exotic - a darker, more beautiful alternative to the native light pine and birch. Well known designers such as Bruno Mathsson, Tapio Wirkkala, Bertel Gardberg, Hans Wegner and many more fully embraced the new material and created … Continue reading Swedish mid century teak manufacturers and artists
I’m not a patriotic man
Today December 6th Finland celebrates its sovereignty, a country 98 years in the making but still in search of itself. I think I've followed the path of most Finnish men - kindergarten, school, military, university, work but I still feel I don't really belong, an outsider in the country I was born in. I've come to … Continue reading I’m not a patriotic man
Organized chaos
The world changes ever more quickly and it's hard to change with it, not to mention getting up front and leading the change. At work, we practice something we call organized chaos meaning that we have processes for everything but those processes can change completely in a heartbeat. And I try to apply the same … Continue reading Organized chaos
The caricatures of Olof Ottelin
Olof Ottelin (1917-1971) was both the manager of Stockmann's furniture department and at the same time its main designer. Over the years he designed lots of pieces that have since become classics. One of his most known designs were for the Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki, which he furnished in 1952. What he's perhaps less known … Continue reading The caricatures of Olof Ottelin
The golden age of Finnish design at the Triennales
Ever so often there's a design and architecture exhibition held in Milan, Italy called the Triennale and from 1933 to 1964 Finland triumphantly cleaned out the awards table. Suddenly the world saw Finland in a different light and it gave the country a much needed confidence boost. Many of the awarded items and exhibits have since … Continue reading The golden age of Finnish design at the Triennales
Relections on a scar
My son had an accident some time ago and although he's fine now, it really got to me. He got a deep cut across his face and I found him bloody on my brother's lawn. We don't really know what happened but he probably fell on a sharp rock. Someone has said that having a child is … Continue reading Relections on a scar
Moomin mania – 10 things I’ve learned about e-commerce
In late 2013 I and a few others were recruited to build up the Moomin brand's online presence (and a few other's) and get their e-commerce operations off the ground. We were in for a tumultuous ride but we learned a lot. Structured chaos - that's any new company's natural state of being and boy was there chaos. Here … Continue reading Moomin mania – 10 things I’ve learned about e-commerce