Stuff in Flux was an international research project carried out in 2021–2022, studying changes in consumer behaviour and consumer attitudes. Its objective was to gain insight into the evolution of sustainably produced goods and businesses and what role design can play in this.
In the research project consumers around the world were interviewed, e.g. in Canada, China, USA and Germany. The results were then reflected in Finland’s conditions by interviewing experts of consuming and design. The partners of the Stuff in Flux 2 research were leading global consumer brands as well as non-profit organizations whose aim is to promote more sustainable ways of consuming.
The aim of Design Forum Finland in the project was to gain information about the future trends and customer needs and further this to Finnish companies. In this way we are able to support the international competitiveness and sustainability of Finnish companies with the means of extensively used design. Design Forum Finland was the only Finnish partner in the project carried out by Alice Labs. Design Forum Finland’s participation was funded by Sitra.
The report The Stuff People Want – A New Horizon for Design in Finland was published in May 2022. The first Stuff in Flux study, funded by Sitra, was published in 2017.
The report presents four opportunity areas which Finnish companies and designers can’t afford to neglect.