Internship at design company Vaarnii step on the way to starting your own business

-"I wanted to learn more about all the practical aspects of creativity and entrepreneurship, as I am interested in starting my own business," says Svea.

Vaarnii works only with Finnish pine and all manufacturing is done in Finland. The company has only been around for 4 years but is already internationally recognized. Sustainability is in focus along with the refinement of materials as well as collaborations with external designers, often those who question them.

-I met one of the founders when my class and I exhibited at the Stockholm Furniture Fair, we talked for a long time and it felt that we worked well together on a personal level but also that Vaarnii's corporate philosophy was in line with my values.

Strong storytelling that inspires

Vaarnii is strong in storytelling, which also made Svea interested in the company. She worked a lot with it herself in her degree project from Beckmans.

-"Vaarniis' identity is based on "Brutal and sophisticated" and it really permeates the whole company. I think it's exciting how all their communication is based on that, how it looks so simple and it makes it strong.

The internship is an exchange between you and the company

The company is small, with only five people working there, and Svea was given the opportunity to work closely with the team and also take responsibility for her own parts.

-"The positive thing about a longer internship is the chance to build up a role in the company. I got to work on many different aspects - from making drawings and 3D models for the factories and participating in discussions about future products from a company perspective, to developing a new packaging system for lighting products.

Also valuable was 30 minutes each week with the CEO giving feedback on her own project Kryss.

-I think it is important when applying for a traineeship to also have your own goals and drive so that there is an exchange.

Own company now in the starting blocks

At the end of the internship, Svea was offered a full-time job, but since she wants to live in Sweden, she will be freelancing for them instead. Back in Stockholm, she has now started her own company, Studio Kryss, where the first product is based on her degree project from Beckmans. In the project, she worked with the three-dimensional weaving technique multiwave where a whole product is created from a continuous rope. For the degree project, she was awarded Svenskt Tenn's design scholarship, which included an exhibition in the store on Strandvägen in the fall. See more of Kryss on instagram @studio.kryss!

About Erasmus+ traineeships at Beckmans

Since 2022, students at Beckmans have the opportunity to do an internship at companies within the EU to get to know the industry. Through Erasmus+, students receive financial support for their stay abroad.
Read more about Erasmus+ at Beckmans here.