An imaginative designer, Irishman Brian Keaney established Tonfisk Design with pal and co-founder Tony Alfström in 1999. Arriving in Finland just three years prior, Keaney was experiencing success and gaining recognition with his designs shortly after the company’s establishment. In 2007, Keaney was awarded the Ilmari Tapiovaara Award and the Ornamo Design Prize. A genius of innovation, he remains one of the companies most successful designers. The Warm, Warp and Kasvu are a few of his collections of note. Since its launch, the Warm Tea and Coffee Set has become a "mini classic" of Finnish and Scandinavian design and has been part of numerous exhibitions including Les Arts Decoratifs in Paris, which is part of the Louvre.

Finnish design has a long history and is know for simplicity, functionality, and craftsmanship. It's trademark designs emerged in the early 20th century, and gained international attention through pioneers like Alvar Aalto in architecture and furniture, as well as companies such as Iittala, Artek, and Marimekko. Their work emphasized clean lines, natural materials, and a harmonious balance between beauty and practicality. Everything must have a purpose. Iconic products like the Aalto vase, Artek’s Stool 60, and Marimekko’s bold textile patterns established Finland as a leader in modernist design. Over the next century, Finnish design became synonymous with high quality, technical skill, and timeless aesthetics—qualities that have earned it global recognition, particularly during the postwar years when Nordic design was celebrated worldwide, and still is. Today, Finnish products continue to enjoy international respect, not only for their aesthetic value but also for their reputation of reliability, thoughtful construction, and cultural authenticity.