Riikka Hoskola

How did you end up as a designer at Vimma?

Designing patterns has been my passion for a long time. Along with other design work, I have tried to develop myself in that direction through experiments. In the end, I got encouraged and sent the portfolio I made of the patterns to Marjut, and after that things started rolling in Vimma's company.

 

How did you become a designer?

It was Tet week in middle school and I had gotten it into my head that black people could become a graphic designer. I went to a local tape company to see what it was like, and that's where the enthusiasm started. I remember being able to design the tapes on the side of someone's truck while I was there, I was really excited about that. "It's cool that the plan I made is in the traffic and people can see it". I really don't know if my plan ever ended up on the side of the truck... I kind of doubt it, but it gave a spark to everything.

 

Tell the story of a Vimma pattern that is important to you?

The idea for the Glitterheaven pattern came from how interesting it would be to combine hard plasticity with soft fabric. For the patterns, I photographed crumpled dyked plastic in my studio against different backgrounds and also threw pieces of Glitter on top to bring layering and a different shine. From the pictures, I started to put together an interesting pattern on the computer and their repetition. The best moment when designing patterns is when you finally see it as fabric and later as finished clothes. After staring at a work on the computer screen for a long time and working on it passionately, it's magical when you see it come to life on a canvas. It is also interesting to see how the same pattern looks so different in a mini-sized kick suit or an adult collar.

 

The most important thing in life right now...

Family and friends.

 

On my desktop right now…

Mayhem. Papers, pens, brushes, ruler, scissors, markers, tape, paints...

 

It feels like autumn now..

Full of work. Sometimes I stop to think how cool it is that I get to do work that I truly enjoy.

 

My favorite hobby is…

I would like to say surfing, although I rarely get to do it. Now, at the dawn of autumn, I spent three weeks in Portugal surfing. It was an incredibly wonderful feeling to get on the waves after a long time.

 

I listen to the radio...

Appropriate songs that help you get into the flow. Upbeat and the kind that make your dancing feet flutter when you listen to them.

 

My favourite food is…

There is no particular favorite, but I love all different types of pastes and pastes.

 

I would like to visit again sometime...

There are so many places I would like to visit, it's impossible to say just one.

 

The most beautiful part of my hometown is...

I live in Lahti, where the harbor area is the most beautiful.

 

Future work stuff…

I currently work for Gold&Vihreäi, so most of what I do is related to Nyhtökaura. I also feel this dune a lot. It's nice that I can do graphic design and, in addition to that, do more creative design where my own imprint is more visible. This way a good balance is maintained. I feel that graphic design and fabric design are not that far apart. In both, I try to find the right places for different elements so that the whole looks good. My processes are always a kind of problem solving and organization.

 

The Riga line is..

Inspired by different techniques, found through experiments. Searching for interesting combinations. This and none of these.

 

My favorite outfit is…

I got a trench coat from my mother that she bought when she was 25 years old, which is as if made to measure for me. It's fun to notice how we are like from the same mold only 50 years apart.

 

On Sundays..

I fumble and give myself permission to do nothing.

 

Forest..

To me it means relaxation, inspiration, adventures and trips.

 

Legs, pillar, dösä, spóra or subway?

Now the train I use the most is when I travel from Lahti to Helsinki. The advantage of the train is that you can see, do and read something if you want. It is also interesting to follow fellow passengers. It's also nice to be able to make calls to friends over kilometers on the train, although fellow passengers probably won't appreciate this so much.

 

I was playing..

The design is black a bit like playing. I arrange and play with different elements and try to find a place for each of them.

 

I hate it when people…

They don't know how to put themselves in someone else's position.

 

I could only eat…

Bread, I love bread. Different breads and with different toppings.

 

What song is playing in your head right now?

Nothing is playing now. I also like to be in silence.

 

A style icon or a guy you're a fan of in general?

I'm a fan of many of Vimma's designers, that's why it's incredibly cool that I've been able to design something myself under the same brand. I'm also a fan of my super-talented friends.

 

Who do you follow on ig?

I follow my friends, designers and studios whose work I like. I think it's really inspiring to browse people's work and pictures. I really get inspired by what other people do.

 

How do you work?

By experimenting, being inspired by different techniques and combining different things that might not immediately seem to fit together.

 

As a child I wore/ drew/ designed…

As a child, I don't remember thinking about what to wear. I drew dogs. I designed clothes for barbies, as well as a formula magazine, because I was a fan of Mika Häkki. I designed and implemented a playhouse with my father in our yard.

 

Someone of my own that has been particularly memorable...

My thesis from the Institute of Design. It was the first time I got to know pattern design properly and I got to design patterns and see the plans as fabrics. It was a really rewarding project in many ways.

 

My biggest dream would be to do...

Working with my friends, they are such talented and inspiring guys.

 

Where are you getting crackers right now?

I can get tips and ideas from anywhere. Now I'm especially interested in the beautiful patterns of the ugly, which are so ugly that they are already on the side of beautiful.

 

What do colors mean to you?

A lot, they are one of the important elements in my work.

 

Where can we see your work in the future?

Hopefully on people!