Saarnio established his own design firm in 1982. He became a freelance furniture designer in 1992, has taught at the University of Art and Design, Helsinki, and has held elected positions in SIO and ORNAMO, the Finnish Association of Designers. ==Exhibitions==
Exhibitions
• 2004 - Chairmania Exhibition (Tokyo, Helsinki, Tallinn) ==Awards==
Awards
• 1990 State Industrial Design Award • 1996 Roter Punkt (Red Dot Award), Germany (Una chair) • 1996 1st prize, Forsnäs 100 Years Competition, Sweden (Duetto chair) • 1996 Gold Prize, International Furniture Design Competition, Ashikawa, Japan (Woody chair) • 1997 Three year State artist's grant • 1998 Chair of the Year, Udine, Italy (Pack chair) • 1999 SIO Furniture Award at the Habitare fair in Helsinki (Chip chair) • 2007 7th Andreu World International Design Competition ==References==