Norppa Rocking Seal
Finland | 2022
Norppa Rocking Seal
Designed for Vaarnii
Vaarnii, renowned for their simple, brutal, and sophisticated objects, draws inspiration from the Finnish landscape and the country's rich heritage. The Norppa Rocking Seal exemplifies Vaarnii's commitment to local, honest, and enduring design. By evoking familiarity and abstraction simultaneously, Norppa invites children to interpret it in their own imaginative ways.
Norppa Seal
The Norppa Rocking Toy, created for Vaarnii, is a delightful and enduring rocking toy that draws inspiration from the endangered Finnish Norppa seal. Crafted from solid pine, each Norppa toy showcases the unique grain of the wood, adding character and depth to its charming seal shape and face. Designed to be cherished by generations, Norppa embodies Vaarnii's commitment to creating lasting products.
The objective behind Norppa was simple yet profound – to create something joyful. Vaarnii was initially considered a Rocking Horse, but the idea of a rocking seal toy emerged after watching videos of seals frolicking and playing. The circular pattern of the Norppa seal's fur has visual similarity with the intricate knots and grains found in pinewood.
Children often lose interest in their toys, only to rediscover them later. When Norppa is no longer a toy, it can be repurposed as a sculptural side table, adding depth and character to any space. This duality of functionality ensures that Norppa becomes a cherished part of the family, accumulating marks and dents that enhance its unique personality.
Collaborating closely with Vaarnii's woodworking experts, the designers explored innovative techniques to create lifelike eyes and whiskers. Pine, a substantial and characterful wood with natural patterns and colors, was the obvious choice for Norppa. It is deeply ingrained in Finnish craftsmanship due to its local availability and abundance. Vaarnii seeks to revive this tradition through Norppa's design.
All pine wood used by Vaarnii is sustainably harvested from Finnish forests and PEFC certified. Pine's softness lends itself to developing dents and scratches over time, which only add to its charm.
Over the years, the pine wood used in Norppa will naturally change color, gradually transforming into a beautiful honey hue.
In essence, the Norppa Rocking Toy is a timeless and cherished creation that captures the essence of Finnish design and craftsmanship.
CLIENT: Vaarnii
DESIGN: Studiomama
PHOTOGRAPHY: Jussi Puikkonen