Martat

The Martha Association product design

The Martha Association, or Martat, is a Finnish organization founded in 1899, providing domestic advice. It promotes the well-being of homes and families, as well as the appreciation of household activities. Martha Association work towards ensuring that everyone, in all kinds of households, has a good life!

In 2024, Martha Association are celebrating their 125-year journey, with the theme of the celebratory year being the forest. Forests are crucial to Finns and Martha Association. Activities like berry picking, mushroom hunting, and exploring nature trails in the forest contribute to well-being and strengthen the connection with nature.

The Martha Association of North Karelia contacted Kolo Design because they needed a sales product for their 125th anniversary that strongly relates to the forest and symbolizes important values for them.

"We approached Kolo Design because they have beautiful products made from domestic wood, and the company's values align with our organization's views. As a practical operator, we wanted a sales product that would be genuinely useful," says Heli Hjälm of the Martha Association of North Karelia.

"There are over a thousand Martha associations throughout Finland, organizing a wide range of activities such as trips, courses, and events. For many who are less familiar – like myself – Martha associations are often associated with cooking and especially baking," says Jani Niemeläinen from Kolo Design. He continues, "So, our first suggestion naturally started with a practical everyday helper, a pot holder, and there was no need for a second suggestion!"

Kolo Design's product designer, Minna Vartiainen, took on the design challenge and began conceptualizing a pot holder that would emphasize the practical and insightful approach of Martat.

"I had an idea where one product would essentially become two products and thus serve two purposes," says product designer Minna, continuing, "I also wanted to highlight the beautiful logo symbol of Martha Association because their Martha emblem has a long and valuable history and tradition in their activities."

This gave rise to a pot holder for Martha Association, designed in the logo form, with a separate glass coaster or another smaller pot holder from the inner part. The product packaging was also tailored completely according to the Martha Associations' brand and the theme of the anniversary year!

"I am extremely satisfied with the prompt service we received from Kolo Design! The result exceeded all expectations," summarizes Heli Hjälm.

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