Meet our guest pattern designer: Anniina Korte

Once a year we meet fresh designer talents in our portfolio reviews. This way we keep an eye on what is happening in the pattern design field in Finland. We have a high-quality design education system and way more skilled and well-trained pattern designers than we can help or serve.

This year we have invited four guest designers to work with us. Their patterns are available in our pattern library and the designs follow us in exhibitions and customer meetings. Here is a small interview with one of them, Anniina Korte.

Anniina Korte – a designer of bold contemporary patterns

Who are you and where do you come from?

I am Anniina, still a relatively young person who just turned 31. My roots are from Savo, Kuopio, Eastern Finland. When I was 19, I moved to Helsinki right after high school to pursue my dream: to study art. I am still on this path. Moving to Helsinki didn’t do good for my Savo dialect, but it can be revealed to a careful listener from the subtle tones! I have always been a quiet and loud, ever-wondering and curious person. Creativity has defined me in life and I was drawn to doing things with my hands. Even my childhood maternity clinic notebook, says I was a color-loving and drawing child.

What is your education?

I graduated as a designer, majoring in textile design, from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in 2019. After that, I started directly studying for a master’s degree in fashion and textile design at Aalto University and graduated from there in 2022. I have also been involved in fine arts since my childhood at various civic colleges and courses.

Describe yourself as a designer

I often choose animal motifs for my patterns. I try to choose species that are thought to be not cute or even obnoxious or scary. I want to correct these stuck perceptions by showing the uniqueness and beauty of these animals with cool patterns. Also if a species is endangered, I want to highlight it in my work. My patterns are often quite full and tell a story. I like to draw and paint everything by hand, which creates a unique style and impression for my patterns, and I work with digital programs only for making a pattern report, color separation, and colorways.  I also like to break boundaries and bring a new perspective and style to traditional patterns.

Who is your role model?

I can’t name one or a specific role model, so many things have influenced me over the years. Ever since my childhood, I have admired Japanese people and their culture, their perception of nature and its sanctity. I also remember the Moomin character Snufkin saying: “You can never be completely free if you admire someone too much.” This sentence probably drives me forward the most. I take influences from many things but I don’t get too stuck in one thing so that I don’t lose myself and my freedom to make my way of life or art. Also, David Attenborough’s work with animals is touching and inspiring. One great inspiration in my life is friendship. My friends also often inspire me with their wisdom and madness.

What are you inspired by?

In general, I can be inspired by the strangest things. It can be whatever I encounter in life, but by far the most from nature, animals, plants, fashion, history, art, and music. Nature is my favorite muse because the themes of my designs often revolve around nature and animals. It is always natural to return to those themes.

What would be your dream pattern design project?

The pattern design project of my dreams would be an independent commission given to me for clothes or home textiles, for example, with a sustainable company. The topic would of course be animals and nature!

Where are your patterns published in products?

We founded a joint clothing brand called “Noir Echo” with my clothing designer friend Nada Bellam. Our work is just beginning, but our first clothing collection was called “Memento Mori” and it was part of the Helsinki Design Week program and Design Market in September 2022. I designed the theme of our collection, the color chart, and the patterns for clothes and accessories. We are currently working on our second clothing collection, which is a sea-themed summer collection.

What are your wishes for the future professionally and/or otherwise in your life?

I hope I can support myself by working full-time as a textile designer, artist, freelancer, or entrepreneur in various design projects and other creative work. I also wish success to our brand Noir Echo.

I’ve been hoping for a long time to travel to New Zealand to see the scenes from Lord Of The Rings movies or travel back to Italy, to admire the old architecture, and history and eat the best food in the world. Buying a dog has also crossed my mind! I also dream that my home is full of greenery and a perfect wardrobe.

What is your favorite pattern from your patterns in Patternfrom Agency’s pattern library?

My favorites are “Tropical” from the Paradise pattern family or “Birds” from the Nordic Whisper pattern family. Birds fascinate me and I feel that my patterns with birds are the most unique ones.