Elizabeth Salonen
Founder, Mottoform Design Studio
Industrial Design, College for Creative Studies; Product and Strategic Design, Aalto University
Professional Experience
Elizabeth Salonen is a multidisciplinary designer, and founder of Mottoform Design Studio. Salonen works in product, textile design, interiors, ceramics, homewares, furniture and collectible art and objects. Previous to Mottoform, Salonen worked in Color and Materials Design for concept cars at Ford Motor Company, and on brand strategy. Her work has earned international awards and recognition, and in 2012 she was selected as Industrial Designer of the Year in Finland. Nordic influences are evident in the form language of her designs, and in the desire to explore the narrative of materials, craft, and techniques – combining artisan with industrial manufacturing. Her work strikes a careful balance between aesthetics, functionality, boldness, and reduction. She’s also interested in the wellbeing of the planet, using non-toxic and sustainable materials, and re-materializing waste or discarded products into new. Born in Canada, Salonen studied design in Detroit and Finland (Aalto University), and received a degree in Industrial Design from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit She has worked in Canada, U.S. and Finland, and brings international experience to projects and teaching. Salonen has also taught Product Design Studios at the College for Creative Studies.
Significant Publications, Presentations and Exhibitions
2023 Tablescape Detroit. Ceramic Design X Taste at Marrow w/ Claire Thibodeau
2023 The Detroit Free Press feature on 18 piece tableware collection
2022 Mercedes Benz Financial. Thread artworks, permanent collection
2022 Ford House Museum. Craft in the Digital Age. Exhibition at the historic Eleanor and Edsel Ford House
2022 I.M. Weiss Gallery. Solo show titled, Thread, hand embroidered meditations on canvas, Detroit
2021 Form & Seek Exhibition. Loop Lamp Collection, Detroit
2021 Gardner-White furniture competition winner. Installation of Offcuts, Reimagined
2020 Interior Design Show. Discarded, represented by I.M. Weiss Gallery, Toronto
2015 Euroluce in Salone del Mobile. Lisabell, Kiruna, Luoto pendant lamps, Milan
2012 Industrial Designer of the Year, Finland
2012-13 Finnish Design Yearbook
2012 Everyday Discoveries. Lisabell pendant lamps, Helsinki, Finland
2012 Minneapolis Institute of Art. Viiskulma textile, permanent collection
2012 Habitare Furniture Fair. Big Knob credenza, Omnion Exhibition, Helsinki
2011 Finland in Cheongju International Craft Biennale. Between Tradition and Future, Helsinki Remade
2010 Monocle, Finnish Beginning, Helsinki
2010-11 Finnish Design Yearbook
2010 Straightforward: New Finnish Design. Annabell, Libi pendant lights
2009 iF Product Design Award for Suunto Lumi watch design
2008 Red Dot Design Award for Suunto Lumi watch design
2008 Kauppalehti cover. Naisel Tulevat (translation: Women are Coming), Finland
Website: www.mottoform.com