150 Years of Design Promotion

Design Forum Finland’s roots extend back more than 150 years, to a time when Finnish applied arts were taking their very first steps. Founded in 1875 as the Finnish Society of Crafts and Design, today known as Design Forum Finland, the organisation has played a central role in shaping design education, advancing design expertise, and building international recognition for Finnish design across generations. It has laid the foundation for the current standing of Finnish design while opening doors to its future opportunities. Today, operating with public funding, the association is the second oldest design organisation of its kind in the world.

150 Anniversary

Explore Our Story

The 150th anniversary video highlights the milestones, achievements, and stories of Design Forum Finland that have helped shape both Finland and its national identity. The video is in Finnish. Duration: 2 min 48 sec.

150 Anniversary

The History of the Finnish Society of Crafts and Design

The history of the Finnish Society of Crafts and Design is, at the same time, the story of Finnish design itself. Since 1875, the association’s mission to strengthen Finnish design has taken it from the founding of the Ateneum building to international success stories and into the era of sustainable design. The links below highlight selected moments and milestones from this 150-year journey. Texts: (1875–2000) Auli Suortti-Vuorio, (2000–2023) Anne Veinola.

The early years of the Society 1875–1900
Exhibition activities begin 1932–1939
The birth of Finnish Design 1951–1959
Design takes a stand 1963–1975
Finland Designs and Design Forum is established 1979–1993
Classics and new trends 1993–2000
The turn of the millennium 2001–2006
Internationalisation initiatives 2007–2010
Years of major projects 2010–2015
Strategy changes 2015–

Photo: An exhibition of Finnish glass and textile in Rio de Janeiro, 1958.

150 ANNIVERSARY

Design Forum Finland 150: Message From The President of The Republic of Finland

The Patron of Design Forum Finland’s 150th Anniversary is the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb, who expresses his gratitude to the Finnish design sector for its significant contribution to society and describes Finnish design as a symbol of quality, timelessness, and humanity.