Woolweave | Stool

Pia grew up between her two home countries Finland and Germany, choosing to move to the UK at the age of 15 to complete her school studies. This was followed by a foundation in Glass, Metal and Ceramic design at SIAD in Farnham and a BA in Furniture Design and Craftsmanship at Bucks New University. After this she returned to Finland to work and learn from the local crafts in North Karelia and develop her own practice, piadesign. 2009 Pia returned to London for the MA Design Products course at the Royal College of Arts, continuing her research into crafts and contemporary culture within platforms headed by Jurgen Bey, Daniel Charny and Roberto Feo. Since her studies she has worked independently and on a freelance basis from her studios in East London and North Germany, travelling the world to learn from craft makers and create new work. Her practice is based on combining the functional approach of design with the bespoke and unique nature of art. A passion for natural materials and handmade processes, the wish to learn from others and apply her creative thinking to traditional making methods is the basis of her brand Utopia & Utility.