Finnish design studio TSTO is pushing boundaries in the cultural corner

In the early 2000s, founders of TSTO Matti Kunttu, Jonatan Eriksson, Antti Uotila could be found raiding their old school library for issues of Idea Magazine, or restraining themselves from buying every back issue of the publication in the Brooklyn cafe Usagi. A big influence on their graphic design practices and eventual studio: TSTO, the Japanese graphic design and typography journal was one of the founders’ major design interests that got everything started — the other was the social bookmarking site FFFFOUND! which was “very influential in forming our identity in the beginning”, shares Jonatan.

A handful of university friends that studied together at Aalto University in Helsinki, the three designers came together to create TSTO back in 2010. Joined by Lars Högström, the studio has been creating colourful and considered design work ever since with a focus on visual identities, motion graphics, typography and publication design. “Most of our clients in one way or another are tied to culture: music, architecture, design and art,” says Matti, “these are areas that we are drawn to even outside of our daily design practice. It also feels like that’s the corner where it’s possible to explore new aesthetics and push boundaries.”

Whether you know the studio for its beautiful visual identity work for Finnish lifestyle brand Marimekko or its eye-catching poster designs for museums, festivals and brands alike, TSTO has no shortage of exquisite colour combinations and playful custom typefaces in its visual catalogue. Whilst their expertise remains in the world of graphic design, the team also like to dip their toe into a bunch of other interests that feed into their lively portfolio of work. Matti finishes: “Some non-design-related influences at TSTO include everything from Zen-Buddhism to Sunday league football and fine arts.”