HAHA Studio: A New Wave of Playful and Sustainable Scandinavian Design
By Åse Hanna Waern
Swedish and Scandinavian design is known for its simplicity, functionality, and connection to nature. Today, however, a new wave of designers is adding playfulness and humour into the mix, blending ethical values with emotions that connect us all. HAHA Studio, founded in 2016 by Arash Eskafi and Yujin Chiang, is a perfect example of this shift. Based in Stockholm, the studio merges Scandinavian and East Asian influences to create designs that bring people together through shared experiences, aiming to evoke joy and positivity.
Central to HAHA Studio’s philosophy is the idea of connecting humanity through something we all share: laughter. While postmodern irony and playful forms—like those seen in the work of Front Design—are very much part of the current Scandinavian design landscape, HAHA Studio takes a more subtle approach. Instead of leaning into irony, they focus on fundamental shapes and universal ideas that foster an immediate connection between individuals, regardless of background or origin. This idea is deeply rooted in the Swedish tradition of democratic design—a concept embodied by iconic brands like IKEA, which creates products that are both functional and accessible to all.
HAHA Studio's Crab Lamp, designed for Restaurant Sardin in Solna, Sweden (2022), blends whimsical form with functional elegance, capturing the spirit of the sea with a humorous twist
In a world where face-to-face interactions are often overshadowed by digital connections, HAHA Studio’s work serves as a reminder of the power of emotional connection. With soft, sensual curves and playful forms, the studio uses humour as a bridge to connect people. By focusing on lightheartedness and emotional resonance, HAHA Studio explores how design can speak to our shared humanity.
Although Scandinavian design has become more playful in recent years, nature remains a fundamental influence. As mentioned earlier, the work of celebrated design studio Front—known for their whimsical yet nature-inspired creations—testifies to this evolving approach. Similarly, HAHA Studio continues this legacy of nature-infused design, incorporating organic shapes and natural materials to evoke warmth and familiarity. With sustainability at the heart of their process, the studio strives to minimize environmental impact by using single materials or ensuring their designs can be easily dismantled and recycled.
As the studio emphasizes on their website:
“It is not a desire. It’s our demand. To behave, produce, and think in responsible and ethical ways—always.”
Symbiosis, HAHA Studio’s immersive installation for Lambert & Fils’ Mile collection premiere in Stockholm (2018), merges light and nature in a delicate choreography. Intertwining luminous structures with lush greenery, the exhibition reflects the idea that nothing exists alone—highlighting the quiet power of thoughtful design to transform space through coexistence.
This deep commitment to sustainable design reflects the Scandinavian tradition of mindfulness toward the world around us and a legacy of ethical design practices. HAHA Studio adapts these values to today’s globalized world, blending them with influences from diverse cultures, new technologies, and contemporary design philosophies.
The name of the studio itself represents laughter—a universal expression of positivity. Their goal is to spread joy through light and playful designs that connect us emotionally. HAHA Studio’s transparent design process highlights that every step, from manufacturing to production, is carried out responsibly. The result is a collection of designs that are not only visually appealing but also carry a deeper sense of purpose and human connection.
HAHA studio, installation view at ARCADE gallery Relay Design Agency, London, 2019. In this 2019 installation at ARCADE gallery, London, HAHA Studio collaborated with Relay Design Agency to create a strikingly minimal yet emotionally resonant environment. The display reflects the studio’s signature blend of playfulness, functionality, and poetic form—bringing Scandinavian sensibility into dialogue with contemporary global design.
HAHA Studio’s creations might not make you laugh out loud, but they strike a tone of joy and optimism. Their work is a testament to how design can connect people across borders through universal emotions and shared values. In today’s digital age, HAHA Studio’s playful and thoughtful approach reminds us of the power of humour, lightness, and human connection.
Çok (Stockholm, 2021) by HAHA Studio captures the magic of wonder in miniature.
