Oskari Joukas

Meet Oskari Joukas, an industrial designer who has been a part of Raute’s product development team for three years. His early passion for drawing and tinkering with his carpenter father led him to study industrial design. This educational background paved the way for a summer internship at Raute Finland, which eventually became a full-time career. 

From Sketches to Success 

From a young age, Oskari was all about drawing and building things. Growing up alongside his carpenter father, Oskari developed an early interest in tinkering. This passion led him to pursue every available technical work course during his school years. It was a technical teacher who first introduced him to the field of industrial design. 

However, Oskari’s journey wasn’t entirely straightforward. He initially questioned his artistic abilities and shifted away from his dream. The encouragement from his art teacher and school counselor during high school reawakened his passion. He applied to study industrial design and tackled a challenging four-day entrance exam. Oskari pursued his studies at the Lahti Institute of Design, now known as LAB University of Applied Sciences. 

To his surprise, industrial design turned out to be more versatile than he had imagined. Expecting a focus on visual aspects, Oskari quickly realized that the industrial designer's role is deeply centered around problem-solving. At Raute, for example, an industrial designer must consider that a product will be used by various individuals throughout its lifecycle, including installers, line operators, maintenance workers, and more. 

From Forest to Factory 

Before joining Raute, Oskari worked in forestry planting and clearing. With his father working in forest maintenance, Oskari spent several summers in the forests. During his third year of studies, his group participated in a work-life project for Raute. This experience led to a summer job offer, and in 2019, Oskari spent the summer working at Raute. 

Oskari finalized his studies and after graduation his proactive approach led him to contact Raute’s former head of product development via email, inquiring about opportunities for an industrial designer. This initiative quickly resulted in a job offer, which marked the beginning of his journey with Raute. 

A Day in the Office 

Oskari’s typical workday at Raute is dynamic and varied. His tasks range from working on design cases or projects to improving internal processes and rendering 3D models. Recently, he has been focusing on finalizing a 3D-printed metal part for the FAME (Finnish Additive Manufacturing Ecosystem) project. 

Oskari strives to influence how design-related topics are discussed and shift perceptions, because design is sometimes considered only an art or visual aspect; it involves practicality and functionality. He would like to enhance the culture of utilizing design and finds it positive that discussions and questions arise among the employees. 

Looking ahead, Oskari is waiting for the potential of artificial intelligence in industrial design. He anticipates that AI-assisted functions in rendering programs could streamline the design process, making it more efficient. 

Outside the Office 

Outside of work, Oskari is passionate about cross-country skiing and endurance sports. Living next to a ski track, he spends his winters skiing and participates in orienteering and cycling during the summer.  

For students interested in pursuing a career at a company like Raute, Oskari advises developing patience and readiness for long-term projects. Oskari emphasizes the importance of having a broad understanding of complex systems while paying attention to detail. Flexibility and the ability to adapt to various project requirements are also crucial. He feels that his background in sports is beneficial in his work life, providing him with the patience needed for long-term success. 

Oskari’s journey at Raute exemplifies how a diverse range of educational backgrounds can lead to a career at the company.