DESIGNER
Minna Ahokas
“Product-aesthetics is the nature of the materials, combining beauty and practicality.”
Minna Ahokas graduated from the Kuopio Academy of Design. In addition to textile design, she has studied pedagogics. Ahokas took her Master’s degree in Arts - Arts and Crafts as her major subject in the department of Industrial Design - at the University of Art and Design Helsinki, UIAH. As her minor subject she completed studies in International Design Business Management at the Helsinki University of Technology and at the Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration.
Minna Ahokas is working in design and product development at Woodnotes beginning 1994. She has designed series of bags and containers for the Woodnotes Accessories Collection and she has contributed to the product development of several successful launches of Woodnotes.
For Minna Ahokas, the starting point in her creative work is often every day aesthetics that combines silence beauty and functionality.
Design Minna Ahokas (2026)
The Esplanadi rug brings both continuity and subtle renewal to Woodnotes’ classic continuous-pattern paper yarn rugs. The full-surface rhythmic pattern creates a balanced visual expression and highlights the timeless power of restrained simplicity.
Skillful use of colour and structure adds a sense of fullness and richness to the paper yarn material. The city-inspired name and grid-like patterns draw inspiration from Helsinki’s architecture, parks, and cobblestone streets.
Deep natural tones reflect the historical layers of the city, while lighter shades reference the softness of natural light. Both the colour palette and the tactile quality of the material are deeply rooted in nature.