Fujiwo Ishimoto

Attracted to Marimekko from the very beginning, Japanese-born Fujiwo Ishimoto found harmony between Japanese and Finnish design. Modern and minimalistic, his simple, clean and pure prints were eventually met great success at Marimekko.

Ishimoto began his long career with Marimekko in 1974 when he joined the ranks as an interior fabrics designer. Ishimoto designed around 15 patterns a year and over 300 hundred of his patterns were put into production. A minimalist, he preferred to work with black and white but when he did use color it was deliberate and bold, usually exciting the eye with bright primary colors.

Not immediately popular, Ishimoto struggled in the beginning as a Marimekko designer because his designs didn't have the "Marimekko" feel. Learning to using simple yet forceful brushstrokes and producing prints on a large, repeating scale allowed him to create patterns that radiated Marimekko, yet were distinctly Japanese. Thankful to the company's competitive yet nurturing environment, Ishimoto had said that his ideas became more focused and that "Marimekko has helped me find a voice as a designer."