Since its launch in 2007, Taika ('Magic' in English), has established itself as one of Iittala's best loved series. The unique illustrations of Klaus Haapaniemi, whose recognisable style is a mixture of influences from Finnish folklore to Slavic animation and Japanese etchings, work in unison with the clean lined shapes of Professor Heikki Orvola.
Klaus Haapaniemi (b. 1970) has received a lot of attention in recent years on the international stage with his unique style; he has designed for and collaborated with Cacharel, Christian Louboutin, Established and Sons, among others.
Klaus Haapaniemi also has his own collection based on luxury textiles. It is easy to find references to folklore in Haapaniemi’s illustrations; Slavic and Japanese influences are also strongly present. Haapaniemi graduated from the Lahti Institute of Design and Fine Arts and lives in London.
`At the start of the design process, I wanted to create a rich collection of products with a strong Nordic aesthetic. I also wanted to include playfulness and mysticism´, Klaus Haapaniemi reflects.

`To me, the shape dictates how the pattern is used,´ Haapaniemi says. `I was inspired by Art Nouveau style compositions, where the pattern is in a controlled collision with the shape of the dish.´
A small story on every dish