Years 2007–2010 - Design Forum Finland

Internationalisation initiatives 2007–2010

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–

2007

Finland was granted the opportunity to host the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest thanks to Lordi’s surprise victory the previous year. The official programme included various city events, and a Eurovision viewing stand was built at Senate Square.

Design was also included in shaping the country’s image, and it was showcased on the streets, in shops, at events and in restaurants. There were numerous events and activities held in the Design District Helsinki, at the Design Museum and the University of Art and Design Helsinki in the Arabia district. The Eurovision Song Contest attracted a large number of foreign press representatives, and design was also included in their coverage. Design Forum Finland compiled an information package for the media, providing details about the design scene in Finland and featuring current designers and design companies.

2007–2013

Finnish design and the design industry were first comprehensively showcased in New York in 2007. A series of major visibility initiatives officially began in 2008 with an event titled Hardcore.

The projects displayed in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District aimed to update the image of Finnish design, promote exports, and market Helsinki and Finland as design destinations. The selected themes were made familiar to the public through various events, seminars and workshops.

Some of the events were targeted at professionals, as well as influencers from the cultural and business sectors. Design Forum Finland, the Finnish Consulate General in New York and the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York organised the events together with local partners.

The New York projects continued until 2013. In 2009, the event was named Playful, in 2010 Straightforward and in 2011 Scenarios. In 2012, Finnish design was showcased as part of the New Finnish Design CITY initiative. For the last time, Design Forum Finland was involved in New York in 2013, when the New Cut! project was carried out in collaboration with two other creative industry export organisations, Favex and Music Finland.

Photo: Hardcore 2008, photo Päivi Kaira

2008

In collaboration with its partners, Design Forum Finland produced a series of design events in France as part of Finland’s cultural season in France in 2008. Design was one of the main themes of the season.

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, in collaboration with DFF, organised an exhibition on Finnish contemporary design titled Design contemporain finlandais – Promenons-nous dans le bois, which illustrated the work of over twenty designers centred around the theme of wood and forest.

The fashion show Frisson at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris showcased creations by young Finnish fashion designers and companies, and it was the first large-scale collective presentation of Finnish fashion in France. The 100% Finlande programme also included exhibitions such as Cool Dozen+, presenting chair design in Rouen and Paris.

Image: The visual identity of Frisson was by TNOOC.

2008–2015

The Design Road Show events organised by Design Forum Finland across Finland provided local business leaders with an opportunity to hear current discussions on design.

Thay also could explore the diverse service offerings of Finland’s leading design firms, arrange meetings with representatives from these firms and initiate discussions on their company’s design needs. The Design Road Show events, coordinated by Design Forum Finland and the Finnish Design Business Association (FDBA) and supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and TEKES, were organised in collaboration with regional operators.

2009–2010

In November 2009, Design Forum Finland was involved in organising a Finnish-Chinese design event in Shanghai.

The three-day Snowball/Finnish–Chinese Design Industry event had the overarching theme of the current state and opportunities of the Chinese design market. The event consisted of a Finnish-Chinese design seminar, presentations of the Finnish design industry and visits to some of Shanghai’s most interesting design destinations.

Snowball Shanghai was part of a longer-term process aimed at establishing connections between Finnish and Chinese design industry players, strengthening business opportunities for companies and increasing the visibility of Finnish design in China. At the same time, preparations were made for Finland’s participation in the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

The event was carried out in collaboration by Design Forum Finland, Finpro/Finland at World Expo 2010 Shanghai China, Greater Helsinki Promotion and Lychee Productions. The Finnish Consulate General in Shanghai and the Finnish Embassy in Beijing were involved in the project, and the event was also made possible by the Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Education and Culture, and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

2010

In 2010, two new associations promoting design were founded on the initiative of Design Forum Finland.

The purpose of the Finnish Design Management Association (FDMA) was to promote the strategic connection between design, business, product development and innovation strategy, as well as design research and its practical application.

The Finnish Design Business Association (FDBA) was an association of companies providing design services. Its purpose was to promote the societal impact of the design sector, provide information about the benefits of design and increase collaboration within the industry.

Design Forum Finland provided both associations with office space and administrative services. FDBA ceased its operations a few years later in 2012. FDMA was separated from Design Forum Finland in 2013.