Tapio Wirkkala's breakthrough as a designer occurred in the early 1950s, when he gained international attention after receiving several awards. These successes put him on the map within the international design world and established him as one of the leading designers of his time.

The breadth of his design work was exceptional – from glass objects to sculptures, from silverware to postage stamps, and even banknote design. Wirkkala worked closely with well-known companies. For Iittala, he designed both artistic and functional glass objects inspired by Finnish nature. With the German company Rosenthal, he worked on porcelain, and for Kultakeskus, he created silverware where simple design was combined with the dignity of the material. His wooden objects and sculptures reflect his deep connection to nature.

Although his work often represented modernism and minimalism, it always carried a sense of humanity and craftsmanship. He was not content with merely designing objects – he wanted to understand the material, feel its character, and work with it respectfully. His works are on display in museums worldwide, and the objects he has designed continue to be part of people's everyday lives in different countries.