Edition 1-2010 - Posten à land

20 • ÅLANDSPOSTEN FRIMÄRKEN
“Having a strong image is essential”
MUST BE ONE STEP AHEAD
Graphic patterns are what have made Minna known. Very few
Ålanders will not recognise her characteristic, graphic designs on
curtains, tray tables, jugs and other items of contemporary art.
Although it takes her up to one year to generate a new pattern,
she is anxious to get feedback once she is ready to launch.
“As a designer and trend maker, one has to constantly be one
step ahead. You have to trust your gut and not just play it safe. But
at the same time, you must take into consideration that it takes a
while for a new pattern to get off the ground. Just when you are
about to give up, things start to happen!”
Minna works with many different patterns.
Here we see Minna with her pattern Cocktail.
Minna Rundberg has worked for
her own company Minna Rundberg
ARTDESIGN since 2002. Last
autumn, she felt the time had come
to expand. A change was needed to
not crush creativity, so she invited
new partners and took on an export
salesperson.
“Time has taught me my strengths
and weaknesses. I can now concentrate
on developing new patterns.”
BLANK SPACE PART OF PATTERN
She recurs to her graphic patterns.
“I don’t wish to be typecast, so I deliberately attempt to vary my
designs. But the foundation remains the same, and that is important.
I have much left to give!”
Minna likes to think big when developing new patterns:
“Afterwards, I peel off layers little by little; to me, even the blank
space surrounding the pattern is part of the pattern. That, I should
say, is very characteristic of me and my designs.”
CRAFTS TRADITION
Running her own company, Minna takes advantage of her background
in marketing.
“Having a strong image is essential, and I understand that an
idea is nothing unless you are able to communicate it,” Minna says
and lets us know that her background as a craftsman is also a great
help today.
“My background has given me an awareness of crafts tradition
and a sense of quality.”