Yki Nummi

The Finnish designer and artist Yki Nummi was born in 1925 and died 1984. Yki Nummi is still considered to be among the most remarkable Scandinavian designers of the period 1950s to 1970s. Nummi was a versatile and gifted artist and designer who designed all kinds of practical utility goods for homes.

He first studied mathematics and physics at the university and afterwards took a degree in decorative painting at the Institute of Applied Arts Helsinki in 1950. Based on his education, Nummi had a steady theoretical foundation especially of the relationship of light and colour. He worked as lighting designer for Stockmann-Orno lighting fixture factory during 1950 - 1975 and designed during this period hundreds of light fixtures.

The best-known light fixtures of Nummi are the Modern Art table lamp (1955) and the Lokki hanging light (Skyflier 1960). The Modern Art table lamp was acquired by the MoMA, New York, for their collection as a modern European Design Product of 1958. In addition of designing lighting, Nummi was an expert in colour schemes and design.

He was responsible for the colour schemes of several cities in Finland and the most respected public buildings, like for the interior and exterior colour schemes of Helsinki Cathedral. During 1958 - 1975 Nummi worked at Tikkurila paint factory as a head of the factory's design and planning department and participated in R & D of the new painting mixture system producing innovative colour charts which made selection of colours easy. Yki Nummi participated in a large number of exhibitions and trade fairs.

His works were awarded gold medals at the Milan Triennials of 1954 and 1957. He also received the Pro Finlandia medal from the President of Finland in 1971.