Vision: Open Helsinki – embedding design in life
Design embedded in people’s lives is the overriding theme of Helsinki’s World Design Capital year and events. Helsinki approaches design from a broad perspective, and design underlies all processes that bring about social, economic and cultural improvement.
Design embedded in everyday life in Helsinki ties design to innovation from the very beginning. Design brings the users’ point of view to processes where solutions to citizens’ needs are sought. This approach to design processes ensures that the solutions are suited for everyday life and appropriate for users. Thus design helps to render new innovations, technologies and systems sustainable. Embedded design in Helsinki brings together human needs, aesthetic qualities and functionality.
Design is even embedded in Finland’s National Innovation Strategy. This strategy expands innovation policy from traditional innovations to new areas and makes user- and demand-driven needs the cornerstones of the policy.
Helsinki’s theme in its World Design Capital year 2012 is Open Helsinki – Embedded Design. This theme underlies the year’s programme of events.
