In the beginning Aarnio designed furniture in the tradition of Scandinavian Design with natural materials. In 1962 he started his own design studio. After graduating he worked several years for Asko under head designer Ilmari Tapiovaara (1914-1999). Even though the story of the design of the Ball Chair has been romanticized as the search of Akso for an innovative chair, it was in fact Eero Aarnio himself who brought the chair to Asko.Įero Aarnio studied interior architecture and industrial design at the academy of applied arts in Helsinki from 1954-57. Akso already early on concentrated on the production of series, which resulted in the company becoming the largest furniture manufacturer in Finland. Among them also Asko, original producer of the Ball chair. Businesses like Fredericia Stolefabrik, Republic of Fritz Hansen, Artek, Louis Poulsen and Carl Hansen & Son flourished in this time. The great popularity resulted in many export possibilities for Scandinavian furniture manufacturers. This is due to the Triennales in Milan, where Scandinavian designers won several prices, but also the first extensive design exhibition ‘Scandinavian Design’ touring the United States from 1954-1957. The international success of Scandinavian design started in the 1950s. This type of design originates in the 1930s and is characteristic for the simple clean lines, functionality and a minimalistic use of materials.

Scandinavian design is the term used for the designs from Scandinavian countries which are influenced by modernism and the restrictions of the surrounding landscape.

1950s space age