Gift thoughtfully – Design Stories team shares the gift ideas for a graduate
Design classic by Aalto
“Artek's stool is a real classic gift that needs no introduction. The stool acts as a bedside table, seat, and flower stand, and is guaranteed to last for decades. Aalto's stools can also be found used from Franckly if the recipient especially appreciates sustainable consumption. I gave a three-legged 60 stool as a gift to a relative who graduated from high school. The only difficult part was to choose the best color!”, says Mikko Vaija, Editor in Chief of Design Stories.
• Artek's Aalto 60 stool >
• All stools >
The sweetest surprise
“Ever since I first laid my eyes on Arni Aromaa’s Primordial Animal, I couldn’t get over its irresistibly sympathetic look and the soft, rounded design. My friend enjoys unique figurines as much as I do, so I got her a Primordial Animal in a soothing mahogany shade for her graduation. I visit both of them frequently and I’m pleased to see that the cute creature seems to get along quite swimmingly – it has even found itself a companion from the same series,” tells Content Creator Mira Ahola.
• Craftworks Finland's Primordial Animal >
• All decorative objects >
For a practical person
“I’m known in my family as a pretty hands-on type, and maybe that’s why I’ve often received quite practical gifts. At my graduation party, several relatives gifted me Iittala's Teema dishware, which I had just started collecting – at the end of the day, my Teema collection already covered everything a young person moving to their own apartment needs! Later, of course, I bought more tableware myself, but the dishes I received as gifts are still in use every single day,” says Emmi Ratilainen, Content Coordinator.
• Iittala's Teema starter set >
• All dishware >
A little light on the future paths
“It brings great joy to have something timeless and durable, which will remind us of important milestones even years from now. When graduating from university, I received the Golden Bell pendant, which I had long dreamed of, from my loved ones. At first, the brass lamp decorated my small one-room apartment, but has since moved into a slightly larger home – this beauty will surely find its place wherever I end up in life! Maybe one day I'll purchase an identical pair for it,” says Content Creator Sarianna Määttänen.
• Artek's Aalto A330S Golden Bell pendant >
• All lighting >
Huggable art
“I like art that can be touched. Klaus Haapaniemi’s textiles are like huggable works of art, and their silk, velvet, and linen surfaces invite you to touch and feel them. I also enjoy the ornamental patterns and playful references to natural mysticism. One of Haapaniemi’s cushion covers would make a lovely graduation gift for someone like-minded – I’m planning to gift the Crane cushion cover to a friend who loves birds,” Writer Nora Uotila says.
• Klaus Haapaniemi's Crane cushion cover >
• All cushion covers >
Piece of contemporary design
“Designed by Katriina Nuutinen, the Lyyli box is surely a future favorite collectible. The Lyyli combines the wood and glass particularly beautifully and celebrates traditions of Finnish glassblowing and wood-crafting. In this adorable glass jar, you can store jewelry, pastils, keys, or other small, important treasures. I gave the Lyyli as a graduation gift to a friend who collects Finnish art glass,” suggests Mikko Vaija.
• Katriina Nuutinen's Lyyli box >
• All decorative boxes >
A museum fan’s favorite
“Oftentimes, the juiciest gift ideas take a while to simmer, which is why I am already envisioning the perfect pick for a friend planning to take on museology studies. Offering functionality and industrial flair, the Museum side table is part of TAF Studio’s series that began with a shelf designed specifically for the Swedish National Museum. Found in the collections of String Furniture, the height-adjustable table is ideal as a compact nightstand, handy living room helper, or petite place to display art objects. The range includes a candleholder that would surely also delight a loved one with a penchant for the museum sector,” says Writer Eero Nurmi.
• String Furniture's Museum side table >
• All side tables >
Inspired by the profession
“I find it fun to try to think of a gift for a graduate that is somehow related to the profession or field of study. My friend is currently studying natural and environmental science, and I was thinking of getting her a gold-plated Hemuli figure by Skultuna. In the stories of Moominvalley, Hemuli is a collector and a botanist – also the figure has a bag on the shoulder, in which botanists collect their plant finds,” continues Emmi Ratilainen.
• Skultuna's Moomin x Skultuna Hemulen figure >
• All Moomin products >
See also:
• More graduation gifts at Finnish Design Shop >
Text: Design Stories Images: Manufacturers
Published on 19 May, 2022
