Saara Obele is an emerging Finnish illustrator and graphic designer hailing from South Karelia and currently based in the Helsinki metropolitan area. A student in visual communication at Aalto University, she joined forces with Lapuan Kankurit through the PatternLab program in 2022, where her organic and expressive style clicked instantly with the brand. Her designs often draw from Finland’s changing seasons, vivid natural landscapes, and strong visual contrasts and colors. Among her notable patterns are Jäkälä, a softly expansive motif inspired by the lichen-covered forest floor, and Kuutamo, which captures the warmth of summer’s moonlit nights. In just a short time collaborating with Lapuan Kankurit, she’s made a strong impact by elevating everyday textiles with playful warmth, personal memory, and graphic charm.

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.