About — Jon Helgi

Jón Helgi Hólmgeirsson // studio helgi

Wave Smart Ring for Genki Instruments 2019
Upcycled Side table for FÓLK Reykjavík 2019
Urban Nomad Console table for FÓLK Reykjavík 2019
Urban Nomad shelves for FÓLK Reykjavík 2017

Stråla Christmas light for IKEA 2017

Sjónarhóll trophy 2016
Krafla ligthshade 2014
Eldleiftur Lightshade 2014
Norður Salt packaging 2013

Jónófón gramophone 2012

Jón Helgi is a Reykjavík-based designer and artist known for his environmentally conscious, minimalist and interactive approach. Jón’s work combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, merging the beauty and imperfections of natural materials with the precision of advanced manufacturing methods.

Jón's work has earned him accolades such as the Icelandic Design Awards and the Red Dot Design Awards, and features in prominent publications like Wired and Dwell. His extensive portfolio spans furniture, packaging, software, interiors, and technology products.

Jón’s design philosophy is deeply user-centric, focusing on creating products that enhance user interaction and experience.

Currently Jón Helgi is the programme director of the Design & New environments Master’s program at Iceland University of the Arts.

MA Design & New environments
Programme director of the Master program in Design at Iceland University of Arts.

Instagram
Once in a while I post something to this platform, so follow me to keep up to date.

Genki Instruments
Co-founder and former lead designer of this music technology start-up.

CONTACT
If you’d like to contact me then don’t hesitate! Send me a line.

Awards

2024. The Icelandic Design Awards - Nominee. Hljómkassar.
2021. Dwell Magazine - Best upcycled product of 2020. Upcycled Side Table by FÓLK Reykjavík.
2019. The Icelandic Design Awards. Wave by Genki Instruments.
2018. Grapevine - Product of the year. Wave by Genki Instruments.
2018. Creative Business cup - Runner up. Genki Instruments.
2017. Gulleggið - Runner up. Genki Instruments.
2015. Grapevine - Looking forward to more. KRÁS Streetfood market.
2015. Grapevine - Product line of the year. Selected by Bility.
2014. Epica Awards - Shortlisted. Norðursalt.
2014. Red Dot Awards. Norðursalt.
2014. FÍT - Packaging of the year for Norðursalt.
2013. Grapevine - Looking forward to more. Jónófón.
2013. BE OPEN AWARDS - Runner up. Jónófón.

Exhibitions

2024. Hljómkassar. Designmarch, Iceland.
2024. Hæ/Hi: Vol III Welcome. Designmarch, Iceland
2023. Hæ/Hi:Saman/Together. Seattle, USA.
2023. Krafla og Eldleiftur. DesignThing. Húsavík, Iceland.
2023. Hæ/Hi:Saman/Together. Designmarch. Ásmundarsalur, Reykjavík, Iceland.
2022. Og svo kemur sólin. Solo exhibition. Ásmundarsalur, Reykjavík, Iceland.
2021. FÓLK Reykjavík. Designmarch. Reykjavík, Iceland.
2020. Genki Instruments. Designmarch. Ásmundarsalur, Reykjavík, Iceland.
2020. Mikilvægar ítranir. Solo exhibition. Ásmundarsalur, Reykjavík, Iceland.
2020. Genki Instruments. CES. Las Vegas, USA.
2020. Genki Instruments. The NAMM Show. Los Angeles, USA.
2019. FÓLK Reykjavík. Designmarch. Reykjavík, Iceland.
2019. Genki Instruments. The NAMM Show. Los Angeles, USA.
2018. Genki Instruments. VERGE: The future of music. Chicago, USA.

2018. FÓLK Reykjavík. Designmarch. Reykjavík, Iceland.
2018. Genki Instruments. Vetrarhátíð. Reykjavík, Iceland.
2018. Genki Instruments. The NAMM Show. Los Angeles, USA.
2017. FÓLK Reykjavík. Designmarch. Reykjavík, Iceland.
2016. Krafla lightshade. Designmarch. Reykjavík, Iceland.
2016. Krafla lightshade. Stockholm Furniture and Light fair. Stockholm, Sweden.
2015. Krafla lightshade. Designmeile. Berlin, Germany.
2015. Krafla lightshade. Stockholm Design Week. Stockholm, Sweden.
2014. Í þínar hendur. Open workshop. Listahátíð. Reykjavík, Iceland.
2014. Selected by Bility. Designmarch. Reykjavík, Iceland.
2013. Hryggur collection. Hring eftir Hring. Reykjavík, Iceland.
2012. Jónófón. The republic of Fritz Hansen. Milano, Italy.
2012. Jónófón. Be Open Awards. London, UK.
2012. Jónófón. Graduation exhibition from Iceland University of the Arts. Listasafn Reykjavíkur, Iceland.