Recognitions

Recognitions awarded by Grafia

Grafia awards various recognitions to its members and those who have contributed to the field of visual communication. The Rudolf Koivu Prize to illustrators of books for both children and young adults is awarded biennially. The Albert Gebhard medal is awarded to individuals and communities that have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of the international interaction and appreciation of Grafia and its members. Grafia awards honorary memberships and nominates its members for marks of honour from the state.

Graphic Designer of the Year

The Graphic Designer of the Year Award is given out annually without a separate application, primarily for meritorious and productive work in the field of graphic design or other activities to raise the standard and prestige of Finnish graphic design. Grafia’s professional jury chooses the Graphic Designer of the Year.

Rudolf Koivu Prize

Grafia awards the Rudolf Koivu Prize for the best illustration in children’s or young adult literature every two years. The prize is worth €10,000. The Rudolf Koivu Prize was first awarded in honour of the life’s work of the artist Rudolf Koivu in 1949. The prize can be awarded to an illustrator based in Finland. The Grafia Board decides on the date of the biennial award in a given year and allocates the necessary funds.

History of the Rudolf Koivu Prize

In 1933, artists working for book and magazine publishers, among others, founded Suomen Piirtäjäliitto, whose activities are continued today by Grafia. Rudolf Koivu worked as the association’s first secretary. Established in honour of the life’s work of the artist Rudolf Koivu, the prize aims to raise the standard of the art of children’s literature. Until 1983, the prize was awarded by the Rudolf Koivu Foundation, in 1983–1986 by Grafia together with Nuorisokirjailijat ry (the association of the authors of young adult literature) and in 1986–1996, by the Finnish Book Foundation. In 1997, the prize was returned to Grafia.

The Albert Gebhard Medal

The medal with the certificate of honour may be awarded to a distinguished drawer, illustrator or graphic designer. The medal can also be awarded to an organisation or a person who has promoted the development and appreciation of graphic art and graphic design in Finland and has advanced the cultural goals of the association and its members with great dignity.

Albert Gebhard

Suomen Piirtäjäliitto, now known as Grafia, was founded on 2 May 1933 under the leadership of Albert Gebhard (1869–1937). Gebhard was also the association’s first chairperson. From 1897, Albert Gebhard worked as a teacher of drawing at Finnish Art Society’s Drawing School. He was a fellow student of Pekka Halonen, and Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Albert Edelfelt were among his oldest friends. Gebhard’s studies were typical of the period, with trips abroad to Paris and Italy. He was a highly skilled drawer and a popular illustrator, especially in 1900–1910.

Taidepiirtäjäin liitto Grafia Tecknarförbund ry, now the Association of Visual Communication Designers in Finland Grafia, established and minted the Albert Gebhard Medal in 1963 to honour the life’s work of Albert Gebhard. The medal is struck in bronze and was designed by the artist Olof Eriksson.

Grafia celebrated its 85th anniversary on 21 May 2018 and awarded the Albert Gebhard medal to Leena-Kaarina Brown and Erja Hannula. Both have contributed to the development of the industry as active members of Grafia and as teachers. Brown (née Kaunonen) and Hannula have played an important role in the creation of the Vuoden Huiput competition. Both women have a background as art directors.

Honorary memberships and tributes

Grafia’s rules allow the association to invite honorary members. As individuals and as a result of their work, the honorary members have broadened the world view of Finns over decades and strengthened the appreciation of creative visual communication and graphic design in our society. Eino “Eka” Lainio was elected as the first Honorary Chairperson of Grafia on his 90th birthday in September 2003.

Honorary Members

Advertising Agency Director Ami Hasan (1956–2021) was the founder and chairman of hasan & partners Group. Furthermore, he has been the President of the Art Directors’ Club of Europe, a Platinum Award winner in the Vuoden Huiput competition and the recipient of numerous other awards and tributes as an entrepreneur, investor and a professional board member. Hasan was a fierce advocate of creativity and marketing. According to Ami Hasan, “creativity is not a function any more than marketing is; they are both an integral part of the function of every organisation”.
Professor Emerita Marjatta Itkonen (b. 1950) was a professor of graphic design at Aalto University for ten years (2004–2014). Itkonen completed a Master of Fine Arts degree in Poland where she became particularly inspired by poster art. Events and positions of trust related to poster design have taken Itkonen around the world. Marjatta Itkonen’s own design studio, Studio Viiva, was in operation for almost 40 years, and Itkonen continues her design work and teaching globally.

Lauri Tarasti (b. 1941) has actively participated in several Finnish cultural projects. He has played a crucial role in the establishment and success of the Lahti International Poster Triennial. Tarasti was elected an honorary member in 2014.

Graphic designer Martti Mykkänen (1926–2008) was best known for his book covers and posters. His most famous book cover illustration is Väinö Linna’s Tuntematon sotilas (The Unknown Soldier) from 1954. Mykkänen was elected an honorary member in 2008.

Master of Arts Helmiriitta Honkanen (1920–2018) highlighted the importance of everyday graphics in magazines articles and her own publications, such as Placatista julisteeksi and Arjen Grafiikkaa (published in 2003). Honkanen was elected an honorary member in 2003.

Illustrator Hannu Taina (b. 1941) has worked actively to promote illustrators. He has built a remarkable career as the creator of the iconic character of Uppo Nalle, among other things. Taina was elected an honorary member in 2003.

Professor Emeritus Jukka Pellinen (1925–2011) did pioneering work to promote Grafia’s international activities and to educate a whole generation of new graphic designers. Pellinen was also an active participant in discussions in the field. Pellinen was elected an honorary member in 2003.

Erik Bruun (b. 1926) is a renowned graphic artist. Since the 1950s, he has been known for his insightful, skilful and often compassionate posters tinged with humour. With his consistent and sophisticated “Finnish graphics”, he has drawn his own, almost iconic profile in the history of our graphic design. Bruun has been awarded the title of Professor and the Platinum Award in the Vuoden Huiput competition.

Tove Jansson (1914-2001) hardly needs introductions. Her Moomin family is known the world over. She also had a long and productive career as an illustrator and cartoonist. Jansson was, in fact, known as a painter, but it was her incredible illustrations and stories of the Moomin family that propelled her to worldwide fame.

Eino “Eka” Lainio (1913–2005) had a long career as a graphic artist, creator of books and prolific author. He took an active part in the activities of Grafia and was involved in the Albert Gebhard Medal project and in the production of the books Suomalaista käyttögrafiikkaa – Finnish Graphic Design and Suomen piirustustaide – Finnish drawing.

Markku Reunanen (1933–2016) made his life’s work as a senior graphic designer for a major publishing house. His plentiful and high-quality output in the field of the art of books and typography represents the traditions and central ideology of Grafia at its best.