Gestalten: Out of the Blue
Gestalten has published a new title called Out of the Blue by Nokia on Finnish Design and Finnishness. The title gives an insight to the development of Finnish Design and culture, shedding light on the background for global Finnish brands such as Nokia, Fiskars, Artek, Marimekko, and Angry Birds.
According to the title, the country’s large number of young entrepreneurs is the result of a high level of education, a challenging, Scandinavian climate, and a crazy culture. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development acknowledges that Finns are among the best educated people in the world, with high rankings in mathematics and natural sciences. However, that alone does not explain the high level of entrepreneurship in the country. Finland is known for its tough, Nordic climate and community culture with collective rituals and group sauna sessions.
This combination has led to some of the most peculiar competitions and games such as wife carrying races and mobile phone throwing. It is this sort of sort of inventiveness and craziness together with competitiveness that forms the character traits of Finns, and that has spurred Finnish design and corporate culture.
Out of the Blue’ elaborates on Finnish community spirit, national awareness, love of liberty, and ongoing transformation as it explains the innovativeness and characteristics of Finnish Design. As such the title expands beyond Artek, Marimekko, and Alvar Alto to serve as a window on Finnish Design and product culture. Edited by Nokia’s long-serving head of design, Marko Ahtisaari, the title also gives a lesson in how Nokia reflects Finnishnes.
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