City Short: Helsinki
Helsinki is preparing to take on the title of World Design Capital 2012. In this short film directed by Joel Hypén for Wallpaper, some of Helsinki's most prominent designers give us an insight into their city and the relationship it has with their own practice.
The World Design Capital is awarded every other year to cities based on their commitment to design as a tool for social, cultural and economic improvement, and as part of the title, the winner hosts a 12 month programme of design events. It is organised by The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid); a global not for profit organization that promotes better design around the world.
Helsinki will be the third World Design Capital, the first was Turin, Italy in 2008, and last year South Korean capital Seoul held the award.
Discussing the place of design in Helsinki, the organisers say:
"Design is a factor deep-rooted in the urban lifestyle of Helsinki. Design is manifest in the everyday lives of Helsinki citizens in many ways, ranging from home furniture and items that represent old Finnish design traditions to modern urban solutions in the city and contemporary interior design...The creative sector is re-shaping Helsinki’s economy and enhancing the citizens’ quality of life. Design seen from a broad perspective – in city planning, architecture, industrial design and service design – plays an integral role in the development of Helsinki"
The idea of design as something integrated in Helsinki culture, mentioned here has clearly inspired the mission statement of the organisers which they have entitled 'Open Helsinki – embedding design in life'.
