The surface of the blue and terracotta fabric has a slightly coarse texture and a diffuse glow.

'I chose the pattern to highlight the fine sheen of the fibre,' says Eveliina Netti with a smile. She is studying textile design at Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

'The thread picked up colour really well and replicated the colours magnificently. I was also surprised by how incredibly strong it was. For example, when weaving linen, the warp threads tend to break, but Ioncell thread was really hard to break,' she says gratefully.

Ioncell is a fibre developed by Aalto University School of Chemical Technology professor Herbert Sixta's research group and manufactured with a solvent developed at the University of Helsinki. The material used to make the fibre is birch-based pulp obtained from Finnish pulp mills: a natural renewable material that doesn't require irrigation or agricultural land for its production. The fibre had already been used in a scarf and and in a knit dress produced in cooperation with Marimekko. Professor Pirjo Kääriäinen and Herbert Sixta gave Eveliina Netti a free hand in terms of design – and the chance to realise her personal mission.

'I want to offer Finnish men a relaxed and fun style. With the exception of Marimekko, men's fashion is either low-priced chain stores or luxury brands, she explains.

'It was also really great to be involved in a project that provides the chance to work with textile fibre produced in a truly sustainable way.'

Eveliina Netti selected a traditional Toika loom for weaving. 'They are simply the best.'

Ioncell clothing won't be available on store shelves in the near future, because fibre production is still mostly manual work and production volume is thus very small,. However, the future looks promising.

'The fibre is spun at the University of Borås in Sweden. I spoke with a technician at the spinning mill and he said that the fibre works so well that it could easily be put into factory use. Thinner thread could also be made from Ioncell, and this could be woven into a more flowing fabric.' reveals Eveliina Netti.

Also read: From a pulp mill to a fashion show

Eveliina Netti
eveliina.netti@aalto.fi

Professori Herbert Sixta
herbert.sixta@aalto.fi

Text Minna Hölttä, photos Eeva Suorlahti

Mark Wigley is a professor and a former dean of the Graduate School of Architecture of Columbia University in New York. He is an accomplished scholar and design teacher who has served as curator for widely attended exhibitions in focal museums of art and architecture. Wigley is the jury chair of the Guggenheim Helsinki Design Competition.

Juan Herreros is an architect and professor at both the Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid and the Graduate School of Architecture of Columbia University in New York. He leads his own 20-strong architectural firm in Madrid. The firm's range of current projects includes several international public buildings. The lecture of Juan Herreros has been moved from 30 October to 3 November.

The public lectures are part of a supplementary programme organised jointly by Aalto University and the Guggenheim Foundation which focuses on museum architecture of the future.

All the lectures are free and open to the public, and no prior registration is required. The location for the lectures will be the renovated, Alvar Aalto-designed building of the Aalto University Department of Architecture. The lecture hall can fit a maximum of 100 people.

Mark Wigley, 30 October, 18-19 at Aalto University. Address: Otakaari 1 X, lecture hall A1, Otaniemi, Espoo.

https://designguggenheimhelsinki.org/en/jury/profile/mark-wigley

Juan Herreros, 3 November, 14-15 at Aalto University. Address:Otakaari 1 X, lecture hall A1, Otaniemi, Espoo.

https://designguggenheimhelsinki.org/en/jury/profile/juan-herreros

The tightly edited group includes Sophie Sälekari, Rolf Ekroth, Elina Määttänen, Iina Lehto, Ilona Hackenberg, Elina Äärelä, Heini-Maria Hynynen, Marianne El-Khoury, Ines Kalliala and Julia Montin.

The collections all show strong individual vision and also highlight the unique possibilities and explorations in fabric and textile development made possible by the university's vast studio facilities.

The university has also gained international reputation for its fashion education at the renowned Hyéres International Festival of Fashion and Photography, where its students' collections have won the coveted Grand Prix both in 2012 (Tiia Sirén, Siiri Raasakka and Elina Laitinen) and 2013 (Satu Maaranen).  

Annual graduate show and fashion seminar have attracted renowned industry guests including Michel Gaubert, Stephen Jones and Jonathan Anderson. The university and its student’s collections have also been featured in leading international publications including Vogue Italia, Vogue Paris, Mixté, Another Magazine, V Magazine, Wallpaper, A Magazine Curated by, i-D, Dazed and Confused and Showstudio.com.

Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture’s fashion graduates can be found working at fashion houses and brands varying from Marimekko, H&M, Nike and Levi’s to Saint Laurent Paris, Maison Martin Margiela,  Lanvin, Balenciaga and Calvin Klein Collection.

The University has also produced the fresh crop of Finnish fashion designers with their own collections including Sasu Kauppi, Alisa Närvänen and Elina Peltonen of Ensaemble, Saara Lepokorpi and Laura Juslin of Siloa & Mook.

Aalto ARTS showroom
26 Spetember – 3 October
42 rue Volta
75003, Paris

For showroom appointments please contact:
Lecturer Tuomas Laitinen,
tuomas.p.laitinen@aalto.fi / tel. +358 40 952 6024

Von Bagh worked as a Professor in the Department of Film, Television and Scenography up until last summer, working to the end with the same passion for which he was known worldwide in film festivals, film archives, universities, film schools and other film industry institutions. Peter von Bagh's broad general knowledge and education combined with his detailed understanding of film history, plus his sensitivity and ability to draw an audience in, made him an unforgettable lecturer who raised film history teaching at Aalto University to international heights. Von Bagh genuinely cared about his students: he was, for example, among the first to give his public support for students' attempts to protect the connection both with University of the Arts Helsinki and more broadly with the arts sphere. On the other hand he also expected from his students, in addition to a knowledge of film history, hard work, determination and the courage to be oneself.  For multiple generations of film makers and film industry professionals in Finland, Peter von Bagh was a role model and source of inspiration.

In December 2013 Peter von Bagh wrote the following words when reflecting on his own nearly 50-year-long teaching career in the Department of Film, Television and Scenography:

‘Enthusiasm. I have often wondered at how we naive and childlike film club members from bygone times knew more about films than today's young people, who have “everything” at their fingertips. We were curious, excited: the world and the film industry had to be fought for. Technology wasn't yet running the show, film itself was king. I believe - and I don't think that this is just nostalgic longing for the old days of film making - that unless we win back as our own spiritual possession that raw, holy enthusiasm, unless we raise film higher than its current role as a consumer product or its current identity as a technological by-product, we have failed in our obligations to our craft.’

The Department of Film, Television and Scenography is proud to be able to commit to continuing on the path marked out by Peter von Bagh, as a tireless advocate for film, film history, and film culture, with love for film and a raw holy enthusiasm as its guiding light.

Satu Kyösola
University Lecturer; Film History, Theory and Research

Jarmo Lampela
Head of Department; Department of Film, Television and Scenography

The first people giving lectures will be Joel Sanders from Yale University (24 Sept) and Juan Herreros from the jury of the Guggenheim architectural competition (30 Oct).

Joel Sanders is an architect working in New York and also an adjunct professor at Yale School of Architecture. He has also taught architecture at Princeton University and at Parsons New School of Design. Mr Sanders will be teaching a course together with Yale architectural students during which both the Yale students and the Aalto University students will design a museum of the future for Helsinki. Mr Sanders and his students will be visiting Helsinki from 20 to 27 September.

Juan Herreros is an architect and professor at both the Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid and the Graduate School of Architecture of Columbia University in New York. He leads his own 20-strong architectural firm in Madrid. The firm's range of current projects includes several international public buildings.

The public lectures are part of a supplementary programme organised jointly by Aalto University and the Guggenheim Foundation which focuses on museum architecture of the future. The talks will consider the architectural form required for this new kind of museum, considering different viewpoints such as user expectations and also social, technological, and artistic developments. The lectures are also part of the architecture students' Museum of the Future course, during which the students design a new kind of museum building for Helsinki.

All the lectures are free and open to the public, and no prior registration is required. The location for the lectures will be the renovated, Alvar Aalto-designed building of the Aalto University Department of Architecture. The lecture hall can fit a maximum of 100 people.

Joel Sanders, 24 September, 17-18.30 at Aalto University. Address:Otakaari 1 X, lecture hall A1, Otaniemi, Espoo.

http://architecture.yale.edu/faculty/joel-sanders

Juan Herreros 30.10. 18-19 at Aalto University. Address:Otakaari 1 X, lecture hall A1, Otaniemi, Espoo.

https://designguggenheimhelsinki.org/en/jury/profile/juan-herreros

In the midst of the 1990s recession, a common vision and a group of creative people in the art and design community was the start of something that has come a long way over the years.

'At that time, for example, we produced a website for President Martti Ahtisaari, which was very rare at a time when design tools barely existed,' says Philip Dean, who heads Media Lab Helsinki.

An unconventional approach and the desire to experiment led to success. The masters of art who graduate from Media Lab's multidisciplinary degree programme work in design groups at leading companies in the industry. Students and alumni from the programme have also founded numerous start-up companies, such as Zipipop, which was created by a group of social media experts.

With regard to games, Media Lab has had a particular impact on sound design for Finnish games. For example, Ilmari Hakkola, who will graduate from the degree programme next year, handles the sound design for Rovio's games.

'Finnish game composers like Hakkola are able to move in the multidimensional space between different genres, stylish sub-categories and music storytelling. Finnish game music and the sound worlds of games are very individual, diverse and carefully implemented,' says Lecturer Antti Ikonen.

Research has also been multidisciplinary and adapted right from the start, and has been performed in close cooperation with companies and communities. Among other things, research has focused on developing new types of learning environments. The Edukata tool kit that has been piloted in more than 2 500 European classrooms helps teachers identify learning-related challenges and improve learning.

'The digital tool kit makes it easier for teachers to put new learning methods into practice and utilise technology in a better way. Student cooperation and learning skills can also be developed with Edukata,' explains Professor Teemu Leinonen, who leads the Learning Environments Research Group.

Media Lab is celebrating the same way it lives – openly and in the city

The exhibitions to mark Media Lab Helsinki's 20th anniversary open on 16 and 17 September in downtown Helsinki and Arabia: in the Lasipalatsi Tovi & Akkuna spaces, Design Forum Showroom and a retrospective exhibition entitled ”20 years of new media” in the Lume Centre at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture.  An open anniversary seminar will also be held on Thursday 25 September, focusing on current topics in new media and its future. 

More information about the exhibitions and the seminar are available on the Media Lab website: https://medialab.aalto.fi/2014/09/04/mlab20-seminar-and-the-exhibitions/

Further information:
http://medialab.aalto.fi/news

Kati Åberg
Producer
Media Lab Helsinki
School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Kati.aberg@aalto.fi
Tel. +358 50 4397224

The ART IS project incites a diverse range of contrasting opinions about what art is. It invites visitors to get to know more about the conceptual worlds of their peers and engage in a free-form exchange of ideas about the nature of art.

This idea exchange is enacted in the form of the popular ‘pull the chord’ theme park game. Visitors write their own thoughts about the ART IS question on a card and then trade this in for a chance to pull on a chord, which in turn rewards them with someone else's card. The different ideas then come together to form a whole that conveys the fair-goers' musings on the meaning of art, its value, and the ways art informs our understanding of diversity.

Created by trainee art teachers at Aalto University's School of Arts, Design and Architecture, the ART IS installation will be unveiled to guests at the ArtHelsinki Fair's opening ceremony, 5-7 pm, 10 September, before being opened to fair-goers: 10 am to 6 pm, 13-14 September. The fair is held at the Expo and Convention Centre Messukeskus, Helsinki, Finland.

Further information:

Riikka Haapalainen, Lecturer
Aalto University
School of Art, Design and Architecture
+358 50 4309951, riikka.haapalainen@aalto.fi

Heidy Tiits
Aalto University
School of Art, Design and Architecture
+358 44 0600471, heidy.tiits@aalto.fi

Five entries were shortlisted for the final stage of this year's competition. The competition's May Day theme invited entrants to come up with imaginative designs for objects and structures associated with summer day trips and picnics. The designers were asked to evoke functionality, aesthetic beauty, and fun times with friends and family in their designs.

Jointly organised by the Messukeskus Expo and Convention Centre and Aalto University, the design competition is now in its thirteenth year. This year's head judge was the French architect, Emmanuelle Moureaux.

The judging panel paid particular attention to the artistic, architectural, and design quality of the entries, their functionality and structural elements, and their overall durability and coherence.

Emanuelle Moureaux considered Laura Tourila's entry, Pilvi, which was made from tens of white plastic bags, to be reminiscent of clouds moving through the sky. With its weightless and poetic structure, light filters through Pilvi's air-filled balloons onto the floorspace below.

At the heart of Johanna Brummer and Heini-Emilia Saari's Viivy lies the interplay between light and shade. The design is a picnic blanket that draws energy from the sunlight capturing the shadows of the picnic party and prolonging the evening by emitting a beautiful glow after sunset.

A total of 66 entries were submitted for this year's Habitare design competition. In addition to Pilvi and Viivy, the final was contested by the eventual winner, Havina (Samuli Helavuo, Lahti Institute of Design and Fine Arts), and two other pieces from Aalto University's School of Arts, Design and Architecture (Keinu by Krista Meskanen, Satu Niemi and Annimaija Tarkkanen and Paletti by Saara Inkeri Heikkilä).

The Habitare design competition has a new theme and chief judge every year. In recent years, the themes have been Dreamspace (2013/winner Elina Ulvio),A Private Space (2012/winner Leo Lindroos), Outhouse (2011/winner Yoshimasa Yamada), Recycled Seat (2010/winners Arttu Kuisma and Janne Melajoki) and Sauna (2009/winners Ville Hara and Anu Puustinen). Previous head judges include Boris Berlin, Mikko Heikkinen, Alfredo Häberli, Sami Rintala, and Juha Leiviskä.

Further information:
Timo Sairi, Competition Secretary, Aalto University, tel.  +358 040 582 6505, timo.sairi@aalto.fi

The event's programme includes the Design Curating Now seminar on the work of today's designers, bringing together some of the top names in the field (Media Centre Lume, Hämeentie 135C), Aalto University and LEGO's collaboration, Press Play and the Masters of Arts Unseen Exhibition, independently curated by Aalto University students are built in Kluuvi Shopping Centre. The Habitare design fair will showcase examples of furniture and food preparation design (CounterCulture) and other interior design solutions. The event includes a discussion on the design sector with Anna Valtonen, Dean of Aalto University's School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

The events are part of Helsinki Design Week– the largest design festival in the Nordic region. Helsinki Design Week runs from 4th to 14th September 2014.

4th to 14th Sept. Press Play

Made from different types of LEGO, this giant-sized and kinematic installation is the result of a course collaboration between Aalto University's Departments of Architecture and Engineering Design and Production.   Kluuvi Shopping Centre, Aleksanterinkatu 9. Opening 4th September, 11 am. Free entry. In partnership with the LEGO Group and Helsinki Design Week.

4th to 14th Sept. Masters of Arts Unseen

The Masters of Arts Unseen Exhibition brings together a broad and diverse collection of Aalto University students' master theses. The exhibition is independently curated by a group of graduates.  Kluuvi Shopping Centre, Aleksanterinkatu 9. Free entry.

4th September. Design Curating Now

An international seminar on the work of today's designers, including internationally renowned participants. Aalto University's School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Mediakeskus Lume (Sampo Auditorium), 9 am to 2 pm, Hämeentie 135 C. Free entry, register at helsinkidesignweek.com/register/seminar. In partnership with the Design Museum, Aalto University, and Helsinki Design Week.

5th to 30th September. Crossing Boundaries

A showcase of the design-led creative sustainability project, Aalto LAB Mexico (ALM), carried out in Mexico, in collaboration with the Mayan community group, ‘20 de Noviembre’. ALM aims to increase social justice and environmental sustainability through design. The exhibition is part of the Mexican cultural event organized by the Embassy of Mexico. CAISA International Cultural Centre, Mikonkatu 17 C. Free entry.

8th September 2014. Lauttasaari Accessible Service Net

A seminar on the research initiative carried out in the Lautasaari area on service provision for elderly residents. The project was carried out in partnership with service users and related stakeholders, including residents, businesses, the public sector, and NGOs. In partnership with The City of Helsinki's Department of Social Services and Health Care and Aalto University, as part of the Innovative City Partnership Programme.  The City Hall of Helsinki, main auditorium, Pohjoisesplanadi 11–13, 9 am to 12 pm. Free entry to the aforementioned groups. For registration, contact Project Manager Ira Verma, ira.verma@aalto.fi, tel. +358 (0)50 369 3226

8th to 12th September. Aalto University: Creative Sustainability Open Doors

A showcase of the multidisciplinary work of students on Aalto University's International Master's  Degree Programme in Creative Sustainability. The assorted exhibits are related to the courses, projects, theses, and current works of the students and alumni in the areas of architecture, design, business, and real estate. Aalto University's School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Mediakeskus Lume (Sampo Auditorium), 10 am to  2 pm, Hämeentie 135 C. Free entry.

10th to 11th September. MODE UNCUT Matrix

A two-day creative workshop inviting everyone to take part in conceptualizing, designing, and making an experimental ‘open design’ fashion collection. The event is facilitated by Alastair Fuad-Luke and Anja-Lisa Hirscher, the founders of Mode Uncut, the Open Fashion Design Network. Media Factory, Aalto ARTS, Hämeentie 135A. Free entry

10th to 11th September. CounterCulture

The Habitare design fair showcases examples of furniture and food preparation design and other interior design solutions in the new ‘ahead!’ area (section 7p36). The winner of the design competition organised by the Conference Centre and Aalto ARTS will be announced on 10th September 2014. This year's theme is ‘May Day’, with entries sought for equipment and structures needed for summer day trips or picnics.

11th September. Design and Business

The Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo has conducted the first ever survey of the Finnish design sector. The findings will be announced and discussed in this event. Attendees include:   Anna Valtonen, Dean of Aalto ARTS; Piritta Winqvist, Design Director, LINK design and development, Joel Roos, Managing Director, One Nordic Furniture Company, Ville Tikka, Strategy Director & Partner, Wevolve; Kari Korkman, Helsinki Design Week founder and managing director. The discussion will be chaired by Anssi Miettinen, chief features editor at the Helsinki Times. Kellohalli, the Abattoir, Työpajankatu 2, 3-4.30 pm. Register at https://my.surveypal.com/MUOTOILUALA%20JA%20TALOUS

12th September. Open Studios

The League of Heroes opens its doors during the Open Studios event: take part in workshops on Friday 12th September, 10 am to 6 pm, Haukilahdenkatu 2B. What does a working designer look like? What does a clothes designer do before a collection arrives in the shops?  League of Heroes is a design- and production house founded by seven production and costume designers, where designers meet in a collective workspace. The collective provides everything you'd expect in a film's art department – from storyboarding and concept arts to costume design and specialist requisitions. The League of Heroes attempts to utilise the strengths of different areas of design work, creating a space for co-working and networking, as well as new ways of working.

Also coming later this autumn:

5th September to 17th October. Chemarts 2014: Lost in the Woods

Exhibition of Chemarts 2014 project works, 5th to 23rd September. Aalto University's School of Art, Design and Architecture, Hämeentie 135 C, (6th floor lobby, Clothing Design), Helsinki and 25th September to 17th October School of Chemical Technology, Otaniemi, Espoo, Tekniikantie 3 (Building PUU2,  2nd floor learning hub). Opening 5th September, 4.30 pm. Free entry.

CHEMARTS is a collaborative project carried out by students from Aalto University's schools of Chemical Technology and Art, Design and Architecture. The project developed new ways of using cellulose. The exhibition showcases the results of the projects, with many conceptual prototypes for clothing and outfits made from cellulose-based materials.

The Aalto Act of the Year Award 2014 went to Professors Pirjo Kääriäinen from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture and Tapani Vuorinen from the School of Chemical Technology in recognition of their interdisciplinary work in creating the CHEMARTS project. The aim of the Aalto Act of the Year Award is to recognise a significant initiative or action in the Aalto University community.

18th September. Visualising Knowledge

A seminar on visually presenting knowledge in a generally understandable way. Held at Aalto University's School of Business. The event is organized by Informaatiomuotoilu.fi In partnership with with Aalto Media Factory, Grafia, the association of visual communication designers in Finland, and the journalism programme at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. http://tietonakyvaksi.fi/

The show was launched from her seat of honour by Satu Maaranen, who won the main prize at the Hyères Fashion Festival last year with her master's collection. After this, the current students got their turn, and entering the catwalk were collection after collection of colourful and skilfully executed creations. Several interesting collections of men's clothing were seen this year.

International press, talent scouts, and other figures from the worlds of Finnish and international fashion had arrived for the show. With its professional execution, the show offered its audience a dose of daring, colour and inventiveness.

Prizes won by new promising names

The Näytös14 prize was presented by Minna Kemell-Kutvonen from Marimekko. The prize was worth EUR 1000, and it was given to Ilona Hackenberg.Her collection was considered to be very strong and consistent. In her collection, Hackenberg had made dazzling use of colours and toyed with fruit patterns.

The Diesel Award was won by the design group of Ines Kalliala, Julia Montin and Marianne El-Khoury. The award was worth EUR 1500. Selecting the winner was Nicola Formichetti, creative director at Diesel.

‘The Diesel Award has been handed out nearly ten times. It is a pleasure to be presenting this award, which has become something of a tradition,’ said Diesel representative Alban Adam.

The jury for the Aalto Award comprised international guests. Selecting the winner were the guests of honour at the For Fashion's Sake seminar, Daniel Thawley, editor in chief of the Belgian fashion magazine A Magazine Curated by, Lou Stoppard, writer for Nick Knight's SHOWstudio, British hat maker Stephen Jones, French sound designer Michel Gaubert and American sound designer Ryan Aguilar, German fashion designer Lutz Huelle, and Frances Corner, Dean of the London College of Fashion.

Stephen Jones presented the award with a satisfied smile on his face. The winners were Heini-Maria Hynynen and Elina Äärelä.

‘We all had reason to be very proud of what we saw here. The collection designed by the two designers is a pleasure to look at. It contains the right amount of old and new,’ explained Jones, speaking on behalf of the jury.

The spring show, Näytös14, and the For Fashion's Sake seminar were part of the Pre Helsinki event - a week of happenings in Finnish fashion.

The show's production was the work of a production team of master's students, headed by the producer, visiting teacher Susse Roos. The exhibition collections are on display and available for loan at the PR office Toveri Hki from 20 May to 12 July 2014.

Photo: Mikko Raskinen / Aalto University Communications

Further information:

Tuomas Laitinen, lecturer,
Fashion and Clothing Design
tuomas.p.laitinen@aalto.fi, (+358 9) 470 30357

Assignment: Plan a medical device capable of gathering information from the pupil, analysing it, and sending the information to medical staff via a smartphone. – Check!
A multidisciplinary group of students from Finland and the US eagerly took up the challenge laid down by the Sheikh Zayed Institute, part of the Children's Hospital in Washington. (http://innovationinstitute.childrensnational.org/)

Students from Aalto University's International Design Business Management Degree Programme (IDBM) worked alongside peers from the American University's Kogod School of Business MBA programme for six months. The work was commissioned by the Children's Hospital in Washington.

A working group developed the prototype gauge intended to assist diagnostic work with the pupil such as measuring the amount of a medicine or drug in the blood or identifying mild concussion.  The device uses smartphone technology to send the results of the readings to doctors. It looks like a children's kaleidoscope attached to a phone. 

Multidisciplinary and express collaboration

The project was instigated last September and the stakeholders met in Helsinki in October and in Washington in February. In addition to these meetings, the group kept in contact via weekly Skype calls and with the help of a blog.

Documentation played an important role in the work,  with the planning advancing at speed thanks to the ability for all the parties involved to constantly keep up to date. However, even though all the project participants enjoyed using online communication methods, they still stressed the importance of face-to-face meetings.

The IDBM students brought a valuable user-centric perspective to the project. They were responsible for the look of the device as well as the design of the graphical interface to be used with the device's Android operating system.

The project received exceptional praise from the Children's Hospital representatives. As well as developing the device itself, the students also worked on marketing and a business plan for it. 

There is thought to be a genuine demand for the device. The pupilometer is primarily intended to be a screening tool for doctors; assisting them in determining the patient's further care needs.  But thanks to its user-friendliness there is also a belief that the device can be used in less technically demanding settings such as in primary care.

Four IDBM students from Aalto University were involved in the project; representing the fields of design, engineering, and business: Alexander Rodichev, Ilari Laitinen, Hanna Poranen ja Sooa Hwang. The programme supervisors were Professor Mark Clark from the American University and Lecturer Daniel Graff from Aalto University. The Children's Hospital was represented by Julia Finkel, M.D., and the technical aspects of the project were the responsibility of Carolyn Cochenour.

The Kogod MBA students are continuing the productisation of the device and are creating a business plan for it. It is hoped that the device will be commercially available within a year.

The study project will be presented at the IDBM degree programme's spring review at Korjaamo Cultural Factory (Töölönkatu 51, Helsinki) on Friday 23 May, 2 to 6 pm. The review will showcase the business collaboration projects of all the 2013–2014 graduating IDBM students. The event is open to everyone.

The electronic artworks by students from Aalto University are changing viewers into active participants at the Happy Ever After exhibition at Helsinki’s Kaapelitehdas (the Cable Factory) in May. The art objects in the exhibition reflect a desire to raise discussion about people’s dependence on technology and continuous real-time interaction.

Technological developments have enabled artists to work with sophisticated interactive technologies. This reflects the changes in everyday life. Art should be seen at its most vigorous as a force for change which exerts an impact on both culture and design.

‘Art and technology isn’t anything new in itself, but in the art world it is marginalised. For this reason it’s important to bring this sort of effort out in the open,’ declares media artist Andy Best, one ofthe exhibition’s curator’s and teacher.

The exhibition is made up of works by eight students who have been studying art and technology as a minor subject. Many of the works are interactive, so they require participation from the audience and a little painstaking effort as well. In the best scenario, these works encourage participants to consider their own presence in various interactive situations – not only in art but also in the use of the media and technology.

The works in the exhibition have been realized by Gabriel Wong, Olli Romppanen, Jinhee Kim, Niklas Kullström, Eunyoung Park, Heun Park, Barbara Rebolledo and Ian Tuomi. Artist Matti Niinimäki has acted as the other curator and teacher.

The Happy Ever After exhibition in the Turbine Hall (Turbiinisali) at Kaapelitehdas from 17^th until 29 May, Tallberginkatu 1, Helsinki. Open: 12 am to 6 pm, free admission.

Further information:

http://mediafactory.aalto.fi/happy-ever-after/

http://artandtech.aalto.fi/

View from the west, project plan: Image courtesy of Verstas Architects Ltd.

The shape of Aalto University's Otaniemi campus area will change in the coming years. The plaza currently serving as the hub for the streets and parking areas to the west of the Otakaari 1 building is being transformed into the centre of the Otaniemi campus. The new look of the plaza, as well as the building being erected there, was decided upon by the Campus 2015 architectural design competition organised last September. The winning entry was Verstas Architects Ltd.'s ‘Väre’. Planning is now proceeding on the basis of this design.

The building will primarily serve as the new home for the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, which is already preparing for its move from Arabia to Otaniemi. The construction project is currently being costed and the Aalto University Board will discuss the commencement of the building work in the summer. If all goes according to plan, then the first stages of the construction will begin in the early part of 2015 and the School of Arts, Design and Architecture will be ready to move to its new home on the Otaniemi campus in 2017.

Campus restaurant to become a central meeting point

The brand new building will change the campus ambience for the better.  Whereas the current space is dominated by transport routes, the new building and its purpose-built metro station will constitute a coherent and cohesive whole alongside the Otakari 1 and library buildings designed by Alvar Aalto.  The commercial premises in the plaza surrounding the buildings will form an important meeting place for the entire Otaniemi community.  The open public space of the new building connects with the plaza in the direction of T Building. It is still hoped that the spatial and artistic look of the new Aalto University metro station will be influenced by Verstas' winning design.

In addition to the new building's modern teaching and office spaces, it will also house a multipurpose campus restaurant. Outside of the lunchtime service hours, the space will transform from a restaurant into spaces in which students, researchers and staff can work and spend their time. Also making the move from the Arabia to Otaniemi campus is the legendary student restaurant, Kipsari.

Staff and student workshops

Designing the Otaniemi campus is a challenge for the whole university. Indeed, members of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture community have actively participated in the design process.

The new areas and spaces will allow Aalto University to achieve its aim of diversifying the range of locations in which students and staff work; making a marked impact on the efficient use of space. The entire Aalto ARTS community has given consideration to the spatial requirements of learning and work. The materials and ideas generated by the dialogue were also utilised in the brief for the architectural competition.

Project Manager for the new Otaniemi campus building Tapio Koskinen is also responsible for the development of the teaching and research premises at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Koskinen has organised regular workshops and coffee meetings at the school in order for students and staff to meet the Aalto University community members who are working on the design and construction project.

The Masters of Aalto exhibition represents a cross-section of the projects conducted in various fields at Aalto University; including technology, business and the economy, and the arts. A total of more than 60 theses and student projects will be on display. 

The interdisciplinary dialogue between the works demonstrates the fundamentally diverse nature of the academic community at Aalto University. 

Examples of the students' work include an examination of the ways in which the waiting room in the new Helsinki Children's Hospital could best support the wellbeing of its young patients. Another looked at how the managers of the Finnish mining company Talvivaara could best utilise communication skills in crisis situations.

Many of the works on display offer a vision of the improved cities of the future. What would be the best way of charging an electric car in Finnish cities? How can skate parks be built so as to best suit their environment? And how can smartphones be harnessed for transport research?

Visitors are also invited to experience racism in a confrontational interactive computer installation, which has been designed to spark debate by categorising the users according to their features. Also on view is a multi-faceted approach to fashion and design.

Aalto University's students and alumni play an important part in coming up with the whole Masters of Aalto package. They have an influence on, among other things, the architectural design and visual look of the show, as well as its website.

Masters of Aalto 16 May − 1 June 2014, Eteläesplanadi 22, Helsinki. The exhibition is open from 11 am to 7 pm Monday to Friday and 12 pm to 5 pm on weekends. Entry is free-of-charge.

Follow the progress of the Masters of Aalto at moa.aalto.fi.

Careful consideration has been given to the environment while setting up the exhibition. The event utilises the City of Helsinki's EcoCompass system.

Further information:
Producer Tarja Peltoniemi, tarja.peltoniemi@aalto.fi or tel. +358 (0)50 532 3817.

Check out the participating students' video presentations: 

'It's wonderful to receive an invitation to a professional event and have the opportunity to make our sound design competence part of an international event,' states Producer Pipsa Asiala.

The Sounds From Finland exhibition consists of four interlinked thematic installations representing different non-material aspects of Finnish nature and culture. Visitors are exposed to sensorial and playful experiences through audiovisual technology.

The digital technology installations were created by seven New Media master's degree students from the School of Arts, Design and Architecture: Jairo Acosta, Juan Duarte, Kirsi Ihalainen, Saku Kämäräinen, Ari-Pekka Leinonen, Johanna Rotko and Valtteri Wikström. The visual identity of the exhibition was designed by Kiia Beilinson from the Department of Media's Bachelor's Degree Programme in Graphic Design.

Sounds from Finland, 1–6 May 2014, Spiral Building, Tokyo, Japan

Contact information:

Pipsa Asiala, Producer, Media Lab Helsinki, Aalto University, pipsa.asiala@aalto.fi, 
+358 50 3684688

Further information on Tokyo's Spiral Building http://www.spiral.co.jp/en/shop_restaurant/spiral_garden/

The library premises of the Department of Forest Products Technology at the Aalto University School of Chemical Technology will be renovated in accordance with the plan made by students. The spatial design emerged on the Space in Practice course, where the students were asked to carry out a real-life study project. It was commissioned by the Aalto University School of Chemical Technology, the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the Aalto University Library.

At the initiation of the study project, the needs and wishes of the space users were carefully examined. As the work went ahead, also the users could participate in the design and evaluate proposals made by the students.  

There were 24 space design students and 5 forest products technology students working in groups. The spatial designs drawn up by the groups were submitted to a competition, which was won by the team Nähdään. Its designers are Marijke Davey, Sarah Nilles, Kreetta Airila, Justyna Puchalska and Ninni Pasanen. The proposal will be implemented, and building will commence in summer.

The project differed from the Learning Hub proposals realized earlier at the university in that the design emphasis was on the character of the space to be renovated. One aim of the proposals was to highlight the identity of a building known as Puu2 and that of the Department of Forest Products Technology.  The intention is to utilize the library premises also for the presentation of cellulose-based materials.

Already around twenty Learning Hubs

Learning Hubs are user-oriented multipurpose spaces for study, group work and relaxation. There are about twenty Learning Hub spaces at Aalto University's campuses. The goal is to create attractive and inspiring meeting places for learning together experientially.

The development of Learning Hubs is a part of a large project to design and plan a new Learning Centre for Aalto University.  The Learning Centre to be opened at the end of 2016 will be constructed in the current Otaniemi Campus Library. The former Helsinki University of Technology's library, which was designed by Alvar Aalto, was completed in 1970.

In the design of the Learning Hubs, students have an important role as reformers of their own learning environments. Experience on Learning Hubs is valuable also in other spatial design for the campuses. That experience shows that even small changes in the appearance of common spaces and in their functionality are significant; often a major overhaul or a completely new building may turn out to be unnecessary.

Picture text: The space design by the students will be implemented at the library of the Department of Forest Products Technology.

As Vice Dean Teemu Leinonen will be responsible for directing the school's research (both artistic and scientific research) as well as communications, and Ossi Naukkarinen will be in charge of teaching. The division of labour might be reassessed later in the period.

According to the regulations of the School of Arts, Design, and Architecture, vice deans assist in carrying out the tasks assigned to the dean. The regulations also stipulate that the term of the vice deans should coincide with that of the dean - concluding at the end of February 2019. The new dean of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, professor Anna Valtonen began her five-year term of office on 1 March 2014.

Professor Teemu Leinonen, D.A., works at the Department of Media as Professor of New Media Design and Learning. Leinonen has more than a decade of experience in research and development in web-based learning. From 1998 Leinonen has headed the Learning Environments research group at the Aalto University Media Lab. As the leader of the research team he has coordinated many international research projects.

Leinonen is especially familiar with questions related to new media design and learning, computer-supported collaborative learning, online collaboration, design of learning software, education planning and education policy. Teemu conducts research and design and publishes in different forums. He has published two books, over ten peer-reviewed or invited book chapters, over twenty peer-reviewed scientific articles in journals and conferences and more than ten software prototypes.

Ossi Naukkarinen, who has been reappointed as vice dean, has worked at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture in various full-time tasks from 1998, and as Head of Research from 2001. From 2011 he has headed the Centre for General Studies, and he continues in this task while serving as vice dean.

Naukkarinen has a Ph.D. from the University of Helsinki. He defended his dissertation in 1998 in the field of aesthetics.  He also holds the title of docent of aesthetics at the University of Helsinki, specialising in the study of visual and environmental art and everyday aesthetics. Naukkarinen has written several books, including Kulkurin kaleidoskooppi – suomalaisen mobiilikulttuurin anatomiaa (2006), Art of the Environment (2007) and Arjen estetiikka (2011), as well as numerous articles both in Finland and in international publications. Among other activities, he has headed research projects of the Academy of Finland, and works in organisations in the field, such as the internationally active Finnish Society for Aesthetics.

It is with this thought that Aalto University students of furniture design have worked with domestic pine to manufacture solid wood seats as part of the EcoDesign exhibition of the Milan Furniture Fair to be held on 8-13 April.

Wood furniture speaks of ecological considerations both with respect to the choice of materials and the design of the structure. Wood is renewable, organic and biodegradable. As a material local pine is beautiful, light and durable, and allows for an aesthetic outcome.

The exhibition, which is being set up in Milan, showcases furniture of high artistic quality. Its designers include Kaija Aalto, Anne Kärki, Laura Huhtakangas, Katja Rouvinen, Jan Feictinger, Minni Sirelä, Erin Turkoglu and Veera Sievänen.

Exhibition architecture by the School of Arts, Design and Architecture

The planning of the Finnish EcoDesign exhibition at the Milan Triennale is the responsibility of Aalto University Professor Jouko Järvisalo, Lecturer Martin Relander and Assistant Noora Liesimaa together with five MA students of furniture design.

– It is an honour for us to have been invited to design the exhibition architecture for EcoDesign as La Triennale di Milano is the place where Finnish design first made its breakthrough in the 1950s, says Professor Järvisalo.

Showcased in the exhibition area will be the best of the EcoDesign products exhibited at Helsinki's Habitare Fair over the past five years as well as  products made out of the thermoformable wood material UPM Grada.

– La Triennale is a great place to show what Finnish design and design training are today, Järvisalo continues.

The Furniture Repertory publication will be available at the Triennale on 8 - 13 April.  The book is a profusely illustrated work of nearly 200 pages, telling the story of furniture design at Aalto University and its best results from the past ten years. The writers of the book are Martin Relander and Noora Liesimaa.

Further information:
Professor Jouko Järvisalo, jouko.jarvisalo@aalto.fi, tel. +358 50 40 84 345
Lecturer Martin Relander, martin.relander@aalto.fi, tel. +358 40 59 24 992

The short film uses 3D modelling and animation and connected archival materials with computer generated imagery in order to render a simulation of the Finnish Pavilion.

The eight-and-a-half-minute film created by the researchers and students from the Department of Media of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture takes its viewers on a journey in time to see the Finnish Pavilion at the Paris World Fair in 1900.

Initially commissioned by Musée d’Orsay for the 2012 exhibition Akseli Gallen-Kallela (1865-1931) A Passion for Finland the documentary was produced by Lily Díaz-Kommonen, and it's a collaborative artwork by the Systems of Representation research group that is also working on the 3D historical reconstruction of the Pavilion.

Designed in the purest Finnish Art Nouveau style, the pavilion is a plea for Finland, which was then under Russian rule. It was the work of the three-man design team of Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren and Eliel Saarinen, with prominent Finnish artists also contributing to the project.

Devoted to the promotion and presentation of the finest productions on art and media art, FIFA is an eleven-day competitive festival and the most important annual event of its kind in the world.

Further information:
Professor Lily Díaz, tel. +358 40 725 6925, lily.diaz@aalto.fi
Systems of Representation:  http://sysrep.uiah.fi/research/the-finnish-pavilion-at-the-1900-world-fair/

FIFA: http://www.artfifa.com

‘For example, Super Yellow – a well-known enterprise – has come into being this way. Also, many of the former students who have undertaken this course are now experts in companies such as Stockmann, Sokos, Anttila and Vallila,’ Dean Helena Hyvönen sums up.

‘I had already done pattern design for firms before I started at the former School of Art and Design (TAIK), but the skills I’ve obtained from the courses have served as support over the years,’ relates Liina Blom, a designer working with INTO C::D::C. Already during her studies, Liina set up a trade name, and subsequently her business activity has expanded to many countries.

The importance of print design is also great amongst consumers. Through print designs, the atmosphere of the season as well as how the period is interpreted are best brought into being. Historical changes are visible in the patterns.

‘The mark designers leave has unbelievable power,’ Päivi Grönqvist, Project Sales Manager for Eurokangas, exclaims.

‘The patterns of designers are anticipated in the same way as an author’s new book or a new film featuring a popular actor. The recognition of designers has grown considerably,’ Päivi Grönqvist adds.

Changing requirements and fashion require continuous development from textiles and fibres as well as new features. New ideas are still sought from international fairs, but over the years their role has changed. The products of businesses are currently more easily viewed on the Internet – seeing the products themselves is no longer the most important thing at the fairs but rather who are behind the products concerned.

‘Fairs used to be the window to the world outside. Now their social significance has grown. The students who were with Professor Pirjo Kääriäinen in the project she led in 2008 left for the first time outside Europe in 2012, with New York as the destination,’ Helena Hyvönen reminisces.

Where did it all begin?

‘The commercial design collection project which later developed into Pattern Lab got its start from our passion for patterns. We are all united by the idea that pattern design is one art form which should be brought to the fore, and we all wanted to look truth straight in the eye – in other words, get livelihoods for people,’ recalls textile artist/teacher Kaarina Kellomäki of the 1990s.

‘I wanted to embark on taking the course forward with Kaarina, and with the professorship in textile art, this became possible. We had a mutual target in mind: new jobs as well as better, strong quality and expertise,’ Helena Hyvönen emphasizes.

Professor Maarit Salolainen has already been involved in Pattern Lab at the time when it did not exist in its present form. Professor Salolainen functioned actively in the course project and moulded its conceptualization.

‘I regarded the idea of branding the course as important, because we already had interested clientele always waiting for the next year’s patterns. The Pattern Lab name was conceived with the course participants at the time, and is quite brilliant. The research-based character of the course, its university background and what we’re doing all come to the fore very clearly in this name,’ Professor Salolainen explains.

‘The strength of the current Pattern Lap group comes from the fact that our backgrounds vary and we’re from various countries and degree programmes. These different kinds of backgrounds and orientation alternatives are taking Pattern Lab into the future to more successfully take on a changing world as well as the challenges of business operations,’ declares textile art student Oldouz Moslemian.

Concentrating on Aalto University’s efforts in pattern design, Pattern Lab celebrated its 15^th anniversary on Monday, 17 March. The afternoon occasion arranged at the Arabia campus collected together course participants, teachers and partners from years past.

Each Pattern Lab project is about one year in length. Professor Pirjo Kääriäinen is currently in charge of the project.