National and international recognition for Yrjö Sotamaa
06.09.2013
Professor Yrjö Sotamaa from the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture has been awarded for his life's work on behalf of Finnish design. Sotamaa has also received recognition for developing the Shanghai Design Week.
Professor Emeritus Yrjö Sotamaa has worked perseveringly to make Finnish design known around the world. His influence on Finnish design as a professor, pedagogue and long-time rector of the former University of Art and Design Helsinki has been considerable.
Sotamaa received the award this week at the Muoto event, where awards were given to Finnish designers. The jury referred to Yrjö Sotamaa as the godfather of Finnish design, who has transformed the University of Art and Design Helsinki into an international institution of learning and who has, through his persevering work, been instrumental in building the success of Finnish design around the world.
Yrjö Sotamaa was also one of three people awarded for developing this year's Shanghai Design Week. Sotamaa has had an active role in the development of the event through his own work at the Sino-Finnish Centre in Shanghai. The Sino-Finnish Centre is an international cooperation forum set up by Tongji University and Aalto University in 2010.
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