Sarpaneva (1926-2006) was one of the great personalities responsible for the world reputation of Finnish design since the 1950s. He was a master of materials as glass, porcelain, cast iron and textile as well as graphic art. Timo Sarpaneva designed the current Iittala trademark for his glass collection called I-line (I-linja) in 1956, for which he received one of his Grand Prix in Milan the following year. He has been honoured with innumerable awards and acknowledgements.



Sarpaneva was Doctor HC of the Royal College of Art in London and the University of Art and Design in Helsinki and Academician HC of the University of Mexico. His work can be seen in art and design museums throughout the world.