Design Year in 2005

Finland will celebrate a Design Year in 2005. The aim is to inform the public of the importance and potential of design


Tapoi-glas
Photo: Iittala glassworks

as a creative resource and a booster of competitiveness. The message is that design is made by people for the people.

The Design Year is organised by Design Forum Finland, the University of Art and Design Helsinki, the Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo, Grafia, the University of Lapland, Design Museum, the Armi information centre, the National Council for Design, the Finnish Round Table of Design, several industry and trade union opinion leaders and organisations, and businesses.

The patron of the Design Year 2005 is Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen




Computer chair
Photo: Tuomas arttila

Why is design important and what is it needed for?

We need design to complement technological know-how. Design is vital to the competitiveness of businesses and the affluence of society. Technical excellence is not enough; what matters is the experience offered by products.

The Design Year celebrates the end of the design policy programme Design 2005! The programme is based on changes that have taken place in the structure of the economy and its objective is to improve the design competitiveness of Finnish businesses with the help of design know-h




Fiskars rake
Photo: Fiskars consumer Oy Ab

Events around Finland

The events of the Design Year are open to everyone. They provide an opportunity to see design, meet professionals and learn about training, research, innovation, new products, trends and businesses that use design.

Finnish Design(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Design Forum(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Designmuseum(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)