Design Dialogue: talks about exceptional design projects

At Ornamo’s Design Dialogue event, we discussed what constitutes impactful design today. Discover exceptional design projects and get inspired by the possibilities of design!

Integrated product development is a collaboration between design, technology, and the customer’s team

Founded in 2009, Link Design develops products and services in technology projects based on the principle of integrated development, combining expertise from different fields, generations, and disciplines. The goal is to provide customers with innovative and desirable solutions through seamless collaboration.

“The key to design services is managing the whole process for the customer in a way that is efficient and pleasant. Collaboration between technology experts and designers and team building are central to our operations,” says CEO Jaakko Anttila. Link has also been involved in defense and security sector projects that require trust and uncompromising quality.

One example of integrated development is Finland’s first electric motorcycle, which was created through collaboration between experts from different fields. The project took a year, involved several rounds of prototyping, and was based on careful role allocation and customer-oriented design. The team members had a connection to motorcycling, which helped them understand the needs of the user.

Designers were involved from the outset, not only in designing the appearance, but also in designing the structure and user experience. Placing the battery in the rear wheel was an unusual and challenging solution, the implementation of which required exceptional collaboration between engineers and designers.

Curation brings visibility, internationality, and competitive advantage – Habitare Materials invites you to experiment and encounter

Habitare is an annual design and interior decoration event that brings together 50,000 visitors, 50 speakers, and countless encounters. The event combines design, commerce, creativity, and experientiality. Habitare Materials is one of the event’s key features, a visually curated material library where visitors are active participants.

Created in collaboration with Nemo Architects, the exhibition invites visitors to explore surfaces, combine colors, and build collages. It is aimed at interior designers, renovators, and planners. Jussi Laine of Nemo Architects says he wanted to create a “magic window of materials,” a high-quality library for both new innovations and materials already on the market.

“At the heart of the concept is expertise, curation, and visuality, which would have been difficult for the fair to achieve on its own,” says Tanja Pasila, Business Manager at Habitare. Habitare Materials offers participating companies visibility and direct feedback from visitors and experts.

Over the years, the event has grown from an exhibition hall to international exhibitions, such as Alcova at Milan Design Week, and is also active on social media, where material collages and discussions continue after the event.

KONE creates design for life as both a buyer and producer of design services

KONE is both a buyer and producer of design services. At the core of KONE’s design ideology is the idea that products and services should not only be technically functional, but also experiential and human-centered. Design is a key part of the strategy and business: elevators, escalators, and digital solutions are designed from the perspective of the user and the environment.

At KONE, design is not seen as merely an aesthetic addition, but as a comprehensive approach that guides product development, service design, and user experience. KONE acts as both a purchaser of design services and a producer of design itself. Both internal and external collaboration with various stakeholders is an essential part of development work.

Through design, KONE strives to improve the smoothness and accessibility of everyday life in urban environments. The company has extensive experience in combining technology, usability, and visual appeal into sustainable solutions. KONE’s design team works in a multidisciplinary manner, utilizing service design, user research, and technological expertise to create solutions that serve both today’s and tomorrow’s needs.

Combining science, research, and design creates a new, cost-effective way for daycare centers to connect with nature

The Tahmela daycare center in Tampere is an example of how a new kind of learning environment can not only have health benefits and develop motor skills, but also be cost-effective and pedagogical. The city of Tampere is growing by 5,000 residents every year, and a growing city constantly needs new daycare centers and schools. A new kind of natural, microbe-friendly yard was created in Tahmela in collaboration with Nomaji landscape architects.

Although new solutions are often perceived as expensive, the Tahmela playground ended up being cheaper than a traditional artificial playground. “The materials were sourced from nearby areas and the design solutions saved costs. With a total budget of around €6 million, the playground was inexpensive,” says Arto Huovila, project architect for the City of Tampere.

The playground features untreated wood, natural materials, water channels, and puddles. The microbe-friendly yard improves children’s motor skills and self-esteem, supports mental well-being and learning, and reduces illness, which in turn can also translate into savings in terms of adult absenteeism.

The project’s planning phase progressed quickly, and the proposal, which took only three weeks to complete, was given the green light by the city’s decision-makers. Tahmela became a pilot project, which is now being used as a basis for developing other daycare and school projects in Tampere.

“This showed that high-quality, well-researched design can also be extremely cost-effective. And most importantly, children and adults alike enjoy it,” Huovila sums up.

Urban design creates a functional and recognizable Helsinki

Helsinki’s public space is the result of collaboration between many different experts. A unified cityscape and a strong Helsinki brand require clear guidelines that all designers and implementers can follow.

WSP Finland is a long-term partner of the City of Helsinki in the development of lighting, graphic design, product design, and, in particular, urban design. One key tool is the Urban Space Guidelines (kaupunkitilaohje.hel.fi), a digital design manual for the design of public spaces. The guidelines cover topics such as material selection, furniture, lighting, accessibility, and the circular economy.

“The Urban Space Guidelines are not just for aesthetics, but also ensure the functionality and compatibility of spaces,” says Pia Rantanen from the City of Helsinki’s Urban Environment Division. “The guidelines also make it easier to procure design services, as certain principles and quality requirements have already been defined. The guidelines are used by designers, city contractors, and entrepreneurs alike.”

WSP has also been responsible for, among other things, the design of the signs in Central Park and the new design of the tram poles in western Helsinki. “A well-designed product is not only aesthetic, but also durable and easy to maintain,” emphasizes Pia Salmi, WSP’s Director of Urban Design. “The urban space guidelines bring efficiency to the design process and ensure that Helsinki looks like Helsinki.”

In demanding projects, experts are the designer’s most important support

Materiaalikabinetti is a consortium of textile industry experts that assists with interior textile selections for demanding public spaces, such as ships, hotels, and learning environments. Textiles used in such spaces must be fire-safe, durable, and have good acoustic properties.

One of Materiaalikabinetti’s longest-standing partners is the Turku shipyard, where Materiaalikabinetti works closely with designers and experts on ship projects. Textile expert Eija Uusitalo searches for, tests, and recommends materials and consults with customers on demanding solutions.

“In a ship’s cabin, guests should feel like they are stepping into a new, unused space. In addition to their appearance, textiles must be able to withstand heavy use and be easy to clean,” says Uusitalo.

Ship design is strictly regulated: the classification society determines which materials may be used. There is a great need for an experienced partner such as Materiaalikabinetti when interior design plans begin to take shape as functional, safe choices.

Cruise ship interior design is an international endeavor, where cultural differences and practical challenges influence choices. “Different countries want different colors and shades, for example. Practical tips often come directly from the ship’s crew,” says Uusitalo.

With over 35 years of experience, Uusitalo emphasizes trust and cooperation. “This industry relies on networks. Once you get in, there’s plenty of work, but values and operating methods are crucial.”