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From Function to Serenity: The Design Journey of Susanna Vento
Finnish designer Susanna Vento is known for her minimalist yet soulful approach to design, where functionality and beauty exist in quiet balance. With a background in both textile and interior design, she has spent her career shaping visual worlds for magazines and brands.
Her latest collaboration with Woven Works — the Serenity rug collection — distills her design philosophy into three unique wool rugs. Each design plays with rhythm, stripes, and surface, offering harmony, lightness, and a touch of Japanese stillness. The collection reflects Vento’s belief that everyday objects should not only serve a purpose but also bring a sense of calm and presence into the home.
Q&A with Susanna
Can you share a little about yourself and how your journey into design began?
I studied interior design and graduated around the turn of the 2000s. At first, I began in textile design but switched to interiors early in my studies — though my passion for textiles has always stayed with me. I’ve spent my entire career as an image-maker: first 16 years at Avotakka and Deko magazines, and later through my own studio, working directly with manufacturers and companies to create beautiful visual worlds.
What inspires your work the most — people, places, or experiences?
All of those in their own way. I’m fascinated by built environments that reflect human vision — artists’ homes, inspiring public spaces, ateliers, hidden retreats. They express both beauty and practicality.
Do you have a personal philosophy that guides your creative process?
All my work has had one common thread: I design only out of necessity, to improve everyday life. Beauty is all around us already. My products are meant to solve a practical problem or offer a useful insight.
What design trends are exciting you right now?
I’m a bit of a nerd for material innovations in sustainability, as well as traditional techniques. For example, producing leather-like materials from fungi, or the brilliance of Japanese wood-charring.
Are there aspects of the design industry you’d love to see change?
I’d love to see less mass design and production. I’m more interested in individuality, artistic objects, originality, and personality. We already have enough of everything — new production should only be unique, handcrafted, and respectful of expertise.
Outside of design, what are your passions or hobbies?
I work a lot, so I need a hobby where I can disconnect completely. For me, that’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu — you need full focus on technique and strength, there’s no space to think about design there. I also love nature; in autumn you’ll find me either on the tatami or foraging mushrooms.
What’s something about you that people might be surprised to learn?
Mentioning jiu-jitsu usually surprises people! But I’m also passionate about fermentation — preserving vegetables with lactic acid bacteria — and I’m learning Japanese shou sugi ban wood treatment. Oh, and I can also teach you the essentials of parallel parking in the city center — important life skills!
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be doing instead?
Most likely a microbiologist — I once had a university placement but chose art school instead. I’d probably spend my weekends taking craft classes.
Tell us about designing your new collection for Woven Works.
Somehow, rugs keep coming back into my life. Minimalist, graphic, surface-patterned design is what I love most, and this collection celebrates rhythm in stripes and color. I also noticed the lack of lightweight, high-quality runner rugs for hallways, bedside areas, and kitchens — so I wanted to fill that gap.
The patterns reflect harmony, with a touch of Japanese spirit, tatami-like atmosphere, and stillness. Woven Works’ weavers are masters of their craft, and we challenged them with new ways of working. For example, the varying stripe depths in the Stream rug were technically difficult but very rewarding once achieved. We are all here to keep learning.
The Serenity Collection will be unveiled on October 22nd, 2025.