Maria Vinka

Maria Vinka is a Swedish designer, born and raised in Sweden, whose work returns to her Sami background and to the nature of the north. She graduated in 1997 from The Academy of Design and Crafts, HDK, in Gothenburg, and describes her philosophy as building from the lifecycle of a product, without using more material than necessary.

Her practice covers products, creative workshops and strategic questions, and is summed up in a mission to do good and stay happy. Inspiration comes from art and music, hip hop and hard rock in particular, and one recurring motto is old traditions done in a new way. The statement Empati Halla, or empathy hello, appears across her t-shirt designs as a call for more kindness in everyday life.