After studying at the Helsinki School of Art and Design, Aarnio worked as a freelance designer. In 1963, he created his first plastic chair, the famous Ball Chair, which was quickly adopted by artistic and intellectual circles. This spherical chair, inspired by space and science fiction, became one of the symbols of 1960s design.
Aarnio continued to explore the possibilities of plastic in his subsequent creations, notably the Bubble Chair in 1968 and the Pastil Chair in 1968. His work has been recognized worldwide, and his creations have been exhibited in prestigious museums such as New York's MoMA.
Today, Aarnio is considered one of the most important industrial designers of the 20th century, and his creations continue to inspire designers the world over.