Reeta Ek is a Finnish freelance designer and a MA graduate from Textile Art and Design department in the Aalto University on Arts, Design and Architecture. She has been in collaboration with Finnish weaving company Lapuan Kankurit since 2012 and has since created beloved textile patterns such as PUIKKO and RUUSU. The Design Forum Finland awarded her with The Young Designer of the Year prize of 2017, and she continues to make distinctive and strong designs with Lapuan Kankurit.

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.