Marimekko Kuusikossa paper napkin, 20 pcs, red

Finnish print designer Maija Louekari (b. 1982) is well-known especially for the textile prints designed for Marimekko. Louekari has studied at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, and in 2003 she won a design competition organised jointly by her university and Marimekko. She has worked as a freelance designer for Marimekko ever since.

Louekari finds inspiration for her patterns from everyday life and the small things, people and sounds that surround her. Also different environments from urban metropolises to Finnish forests contribute to her work. Most of Louekari’s large, uniform patterns have been hand-drawn, and she also likes to experiment with different techniques such as paper cutting. Among her most important works are the Siirtolapuutarha and Räsymatto patterns, originally designed for Marimekko's Oiva tableware range in 2009.