Outi Martikainen

Carpets, crochet with polypropylene cord

Hietana, embroidery on heat formed polyester felt

Laces, crochet with polypropylene string

Finnish textile artist Outi Martikainen creates amazing, sculptural pieces using different materials and scales to illustrate how things take form and shape in space.

One particular phrase in Outi Martikainen's artist statement is similar to my own perspective on art and design - she says, "As an artist I see myself working in the space between art and design and, as a textile artist, I find design work rewarding and that the frame within which I must work often shapes and feeds the thought process. Never-the-less I consider the work process that one does not see in the completed work to be most important, in art as well as in design."

When I was in design school we continuously discussed the importance of the design process. To me, the design process of creating is always exciting, even sometimes more than the final result. Although when I look at Martikainen's work I am equally excited about the process, materials and subtle details in the final results. Actually textile art in general makes me really excited!

How about you - do you feel the design process is important in your work?