Anne-Mari Sundqvist

Nearly ten years ago Anne-Mari Sundqvist moved from Ostrobothnia to Naantali. After being on maternity leave with her fourth child, she felt the time was right to start her own company. When Anneco design was recently founded, it offered textile planning and sewing services. But Anne-Mari knew early on that she wanted to develop and expand the company. When her friend Maria suggested that they should manufacture and sell self-designed products, the last piece of the puzzle finally fell into place.

I had written down ideas for products, which we began to make at once, says Anne-Mari.
For me, the word design stands for a combination of functionality and good looks.
The company's first small storage product was the useful and cheery Medical Bag.

Today Anne-Mari's primary responsibility is to function as a company manager. But luckily she still has time to share design ideas with the other designers and take part in product planning, with the same unmistakable energy and excitement as before. Anne-Mari hopes that Gedigo's products will be especially appreciated by people loving to travel. Her motto is: ”There are no problems, just things that can be solved”.

Idun Mattsson

Design that feels well thought-out, but still with a simple idea, appeals to this 30-year-old, energetic designer. Design that makes you feel calm inside, as Idun puts it. On the other hand, she also loves surprising ideas and details.

Idun finds inspiration in nature, especially in the beautiful archipelago, where she can let her thoughts run wild. Nature is also the element that connects her two quite different degrees – when Idun studied design at Svenska Yrkeshögskolan (now called Novia), she decided to become a wilderness guide, as well!

Idun likes trying out new things, and is tempted by the combining of different techniques or two totally different things to create something new. She thinks you shouldn't let yourself become chained to one way of thinking, but be open to new possibilites – ”what if...?”.

Idun's first encounter with Gedigo came in the form of a bread basket, which a friend gave her. Because Idun knows that quality products can be recognized by the details, she was impressed by the well-made basket. When she found out it was made by a Finnish company she decided to apply for a trainee job at Gedigo. Since then our co-operation has succesfully continued!

Maria Ahola

The Husqvarna sewing machine, grand-mother's worn pattern book and the shabby pieces of cloth all fascinated Gedigo's designer as a small girl in Rovaniemi. Maria's way led her from Lapland to Ostrobothnia, where she now lives with her family. Maria previously studied social services, but nowadays the designer and creative side of her has grown stronger and stronger.

The surrounding everyday life inspire Maria in her work. She tells that ideas come and go, both good and not-so-good. Sometimes the less brighter ideas are really the ones that lead to something truly exceptional!

According to Maria's guiding star, there's always something you can change and improve. That is equally true for using a pattern. The best solution is not to use a basic, reliable pattern as such, but to add something personal and innovative – the more creative, the better. The outcome should differ from the already existing, and preferably have a ”luxury feel” to it.