Ilkka Suppanen studied architecture in the Helsinki University of Technology as well as interior architecture and furniture design in the University of Arts and Design. In 1995 he founded the ”Studio suppanen” agency, which offers strategic and integrated design services for international clients like Artek, Axis, Cappellini, Ferlea, Leucos, Lucente, Nokia, Zanotta, Marimekko and Saab Automobiles.

In 1997 Ilkka Suppanen and his colleagues established the Snowcrash design community. He also acted as its artistic director in 2000. Snowcrash was one of the most prominent Finnish design groups of its era. In 1997 Ingo Mauer chose Ilkka Suppanen and the Snowcrash group as the young designers of the year. In Finland Suppanen was selected as the young designer of the year 2000 together with Harri Koskinen. Suppanen also received the Scandinavian Bruno Mathsson award in 2006.

Ilkka Suppanen emphasizes the added value design brings to the whole production chain from end-user requirements to finished products. Suppanen values long term projects that encompass innovation. The interest in production techniques and using different materials is always present in his work. Suppanen’s expression is airy and forward-looking, but sustains with pride the classic Scandinavian design heritage.

Ilkka Suppanen’s work has been on display around the world in places like the Venice biennials, Milan Furniture Fair and MoMa in New York. His design works have been selected to the permanent collections of several major museums, e.g. the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam and in the Museum of Applied Art in Cologne.