1. UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI
&
WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL
HELSINKI 2012

2. The University of Helsinki participates in the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 year with
the theme “Designing society through thinking.” The university develops the Helsinki
metropolitan area culturally, socially, economically and ecologically. The university’s vision is
that the concept of design includes actions which shape society and have social relevance,
such as social innovations, scientific research and academic teaching – human-oriented ways
of solving challenges.
DESIGNINGSOCIETY
THROUGHTHINKING

3. BLOG VISITORS
JOURNALISTS
200
BROCHURES
6000
62200
VISITORS/DAY IN
THE THINK CORNER
300
–
500
DESIGNINGSOCIETY
THROUGHTHINKING
THINK CORNER
A SCIENCE POP-UP STORE
KAISA-HOUSE
THE NEW HELSINKI UNIVERSITY MAIN LIBRARY
ELE
THE LEARNING LAB
MOST POPULAR
LOCATIONS
BLOG POSTS
200
ROYAL DUKE &
DUCHESS
1
READERS
FROM 46
COUNTRIES
PASSION TO
LEARN
LearningtobeaTeacher
EngagingLearningEnvironments
OASIS OF SCIENCE
SmartDesign
GREEN ZONE
GlobalEnvironmentalChange
FifthDimension
STUDENT CAPITAL
HelsinkiSummerSchool
WorldStudentCapital
THINK CORNER
STREET-LEVEL SCIENCE
+
2012
HELSINKI
UNIVERSITY
BULLETINS
8000
HELSINKI UNIVERSITY
BULLETIN – DESIGNING
THE FUTURE
FIRST UH APP
Fellmannia
DesignLearning
LivingCanvas
EXHIBITIONS
CityandtheSacred
SeatsofLearning
Pilot: the Think Corner
concept applied to
exhibitions and fairs
–
Helsinki Book Fair 2012
24 science themes
A window to the
university
Café
Bookstore
UH shop

4. PASSIONTOLEARN
DESIGN
LEARNING
CONFERENCE
ELE – NEW
LEARNING
ENVIRONMENTS
IN TEACHER
EDUCATION
LEARNING
TO BE A
TEACHER
The Finnish educational system and
teacher training at the University of
Helsinki create a strong foundation for
Finland’s success in PISA evaluations and
they have become an increasingly
export product.
Projects in the Department of
Teacher Education bring together
strong scientific expertise to develop
learning contents, physical spaces
and services and networks with the
help of new technology, creating a
platform for distributing the Finnish
equal-opportunity model of teaching
and learning both nationally and
internationally.

5. BETTER
LEARNING
=
ARTS&
CRAFTS
PARTNERS
NATIONALITIES
DESIGN
LEARNING
RESEARCHERS
150
PARTICIPANTS
200
PARTICIPANTS
FROM THE
DEPT. OF
TEACHER
EDUCATION
100 20
15
DESIGNLEARNING
2013-
DESIGN
LEARNING
CONFERENCE
10–11MAY
PROJECTMANAGERS:HEIKKIRUISMÄKI&INKERIRUOKONEN
Arts and crafts education is seen as a
holistic tool for cultural interaction and
formation of cultural identities.
Design Learning theme
group in the 4th International
Conference on Education &
Educational Psychology
DESIGN
STIMULATES
LEARNING
WELFARE &
WELL-BEING
CREATIVITY
GUEST LECTURES
IN THE THINK
CORNER
Special Music Centre Resonaari, Markku
Kaikkonen
Let’s build a city, Jorge Raedo, Maria Nordin &
Kruunuhaka 4th graders
Annantalo art education, Eeva Mussaari & co.
Sampo puppet theatre, Maija ja Maria Baric and
musicians
Designing the Future Night in Helthinki
An art experience for kids in the
Kindergarten Museum as part of the
Kallio Kukkii Festival.
Multicultural music day in the
Kruunuhaka play park.
IN THE CITY
”The recreational sprout”
Music and the good life,
Heikki Ruismäki
What is design learning?
Pirita Seitamaa-Hakkarainen
THINK CORNER
PROGRAMME
DESIGN
LEARNING
PUBLICATION

6. DIGITAL
TOOLS
+
TEACHER
EXPERTS PARTNERS
PLANNING
MEETINGS
199 116 37
PUBLICATIONS
AWARDS
3rd place in the International evaluation of re-
search and doctoral training at the university;
Kirsti Lonka University Communicator of the Year,
Chosen as a RYM Oy top research group
ELE–NEW LEARNING ENVIRON-
MENTS IN TEACHER EDUCATION
PROJECTDIRECTOR:KIRSTILONKA
Learning environments of the future
combine contact learning, pedagogical
practices and digital tools.
3 published academic papers,
3 submitted academic articles,
7 conference papers
1 book chapter
3 master’s & doctoral theses
INT’L VISITORS TRAINED
EXPERTS
202
VISITORS
1750
EVENTS
49
490
LEARNING
LAB
+ COMMUNITY
We research the academic feelings
of students, motivation and flow in
different learning environments.
What kind of earning environments
are connected to learning, welfare
and well-being?
2013-
TECH AS PART OF
TEACHING
BULIMIC LEARNING
MODEL NO MORE!
INTERACTIVE &
SOCIAL LEARNING
FLOW OF
LEARNING

7. VIDEO 5: SMARTPHONES IN
TEACHING AND LEARNING
EXCELLENT
PUPILS
►
EXCELLENT
DONATED
SMARTPHONES
TO BE USED IN
TEACHING
20
LEARNHOWTOTEACH
DONATEDMOBILE
SUBSCRIPTIONS
TO BE USED IN
TEACHING
20
SMARTPHONES
IN TEACHING
COMPETITION
CLICK TO
WATCH!
PROJECTDIRECTOR:KIRSITIRRI
LEARN HOW TO TEACH VIDEOS
VIEWS
10000
PUPILS
45
STUDENTS
32
TEACHERS
5
FILM MAKERS
8
PARTICIPANTS
FROM THE
DEPT. OF
TEACHER
EDUCATION
9
SPECTATORS
AT PUBLIC
SCREENINGS
550
VIDEOS
5
Finland has been ranked high in the PISA
evaluations – we want to show the world,
what we are doing right.
DIGITAL
NATIVES
+
SCHOOL
SMARTS
FINNISH TEACHER
EDUCATION
The Finnish teacher education pro-
gramme is a research-based, pedagogi-
cally oriented university education which
leads to a Master’s degree.
TEACHER
TRIBUTE TO
DIVERSITY
In Finland, teachers’ profes-
sional ethics include taking
diverse learners into account.
TEACHING PRACTICE
Student teachers can practice
teaching in actual learning
environments in our own
teaching laboratories at the
University Teacher Training
Schools.
BECOMING A
TEACHER – WHY?
In Finland, we can select our
teachers from a very motivated
and high-achieving student
population.

8. GREENZONE
GLOBAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
CHANGE
FIFTH
DIMENSION
The environmental projects will create
opportunities for improved quality of life
and a better future. The projects seek
solutions to environmental problems and
develop ecosystem services for the needs
of urban residents. They will create new
spaces, experiences, natural areas and
sustainability amid the issues of climate
change, as well as mental and physical
well-being.
Sustainable development is an ideology
and operating model that grows increa-
singly effective through social discourse
between urban residents and decision-
makers.

9. SCIENCE
+
ART
GLOBALENVIRONMENTAL
CHANGE
ARTISTS INSTALLATIONS VISITORS
700
4 9
PRIMA MATERIA EXHIBITION
PROJECTDIRECTOR:SUSANNALEHVÄVIRTA
Art
Courses
Exhibitions
+
Research
Seminars
Presentations
Workshops
SOLUTIONS
RECLAIMED
TERRITORIES
Environmental art course and
exhibition in the Kumpula
Botanical Garden.
CHANGING
WINTERS
FLYERS
1000
WORKS OF ART
5
DISCIPLINES
11
HENVI:
ART & SCIENCE
DAYS
VISITORS
250
Can we help endangered species
migrate to more suitable areas as
the climate changes?
ASSISTED
MIGRATION
TELEVISION/
NEWS STORIES
5
RESEARCHERS
11
UNIVERSITIES
5
ATTENDEES
63
EXPERT PRESEN-
TATIONS
8
Ecosystem services are natural
resources and processes which
benefit humankind.
NATURAL
SERVICE
URBAN
ECOSYSTEM
SERVICES
THE BALTIC SEA,
FORESTS AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
The winters are changing because of global
warming. The Changing Winters workshop
brought experts from different fields together
to discuss how our winters are changing and
what effects they will have on nature, people
and society.
Environmental research results are brought into the public discourse
and environmental science is made approachable with the help of art.

10. NEWS PIECES
30+
FIFTHDIMENSION
PROJECTDIRECTOR: SUSANNALEHVÄVIRTA
PARTNERS
16
TV AND RADIO
INTERVIEWS
8
NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBERS
169
INFORMATION
ABOUT GREEN
ROOFS TO THE
PUBLIC
Green roofs alleviate environmental
hazards caused by urbanisation and
climate change.
HIGHER
QUALITY OF
LIFE
MORE URBAN NATURE
MORE ECOSYSTEM
SERVICES
Sustainable city planning,
decision-making and
construction
RESULTS
OVER THE
LONG HAUL
FEEDBACK FROM
USERS, BUILDERS AND
CITIZENS
PARTNERSHIPS & MEDIA
ABSORBS
RAINWATER
COOLS DOWN
SUPPORTS WELL-BEING
ROOF
+
CITY
+ DOMESTIC
PLANTS
GREEN ROOF
EXCURSIONS
EVENTS
9
PRESENTA-
TIONS ON
GREEN ROOFS
80
SEMINARS
9
= A ROOF COVERED
WITH VEGETATION TEST ROOFS
9
RESEARCHERS
PARTICIPATED
30+
VISIONS OF
DREAM ROOFS
GREEN ROOFS
INVENTORIED
51
141
Benefits from nature
such as production of
oxygen, absorbtion and
purification of rainwater
and so on.
GREENER CITY – MORE
SUSTAINABLE CITY
HOW SHOULD IT BE
DONE IN FINLAND?
Seminars, presentations for the
public, green roof excursions,
international conferences, conven-
tions, fairs and expos, discussions
with decision-makers

11. WALL
+
PLANTS
JOURNALISTS
REACHED
PARTNERS
PRESENTA-
TIONS
95
25
8
LIVINGCANVAS
Living Canvas is a product
developed by UH students Mikko
Sonninen and Jaakko Pesonen and
entrepreneur Oula Harjula. The
plant wall was built so that people
could enjoy nature indoors as well.
GHEFFECT.FI
INFORMED
ARCHITECTS AND
PRODUCT DESIGNERS
60
WEBSITE
VISITORS
4800
23 May: What is social
entrepreneurship?
24 May: More enjoyable work place
with a plant wall.
25 May The green zone as a source
of inspiration.
THINK CORNER
HI DESIGN EXHIBITIONS
HOUSING FAIR FINLAND
HABITARE FAIR ‘12
HYDROPONICS
NUTRIENTS
For every square metre
of Living Canvas bought
1000 m2 square metres
of rainforest are acquired
for conversation.
RESPONSIBILITY
An automatic timer
starts the water pump
twice a week, which
passes the nutrients on
to the plants.
Mineral nutrients circulate
the soilless substrate
and reach the roots and
provide the plants with
the energy they need.
LIGHTING
LED lighting gives the
plants the light they
need.
EASY CARE
Every component aims
to conserve energy: the
timer, led lighting and
a low-consuming water
pump.
ECOLOGY
Innovative technology
preserves the plant wall,
allows for a wider range
of plants and makes
maintenance easy.

12. OASISOFSCIENCE
FELLMANNIA
SMART
DESIGN
The design of learning environments
provides us with new types of ‘oases’
for learning that suit the needs of
widely different learners. They serve
as showcases of science and facilitate
encounters between different actors.
Interactive learning environments
and service models that encourage
participation are developed in a user-
orientated manner, making use of
space and technology in a new way.
The project improves the readiness of
Helsinki University Library to serve the
needs of different user groups and to
communicate better with them.

13. PARTICIPATORY
APPROACH
+
SERVICE
DESIGN
SMARTDESIGN
CLIENTS
LIBRARIES
RE-TRAINED
LIBRARIANS
DEVELOPERS
114
PARTICIPANTS
400
60000
5
42
EXPERT
INTERVIEWS
8
HOURS OF
OBSERVATION
40
PROBING
STUDIES
35
STUDENT
INTERVIEWS
9
CAMPUSES
4
SERVICE
DESIGNERS
2
PSYCHOLOGIST
1
= 120 IDEAS VISITORS SINCE
SEPTEMBER
500000
EVENTS
150
VISITORS/DAY
5000
EVENT ATTENDEES
4000
How can the library serve students more effectively, support
learning and be a more inspiring learning environment?
SERVICE PATH
1. Need
2. Preparation
3. Transition
4. Arrival
5. Browsing &
search for info
6. Localisation
7. Use of space &
literature
8. Return of books
USER PROFILES
Visitor
Investigator
Lingerer
Patron
Map service
Redeveloped feedback
system
Library etiquette
Colour-coded
sound levels
Mobile
library
Service
gestures
Group loans &
study groups
Event
planning
NEW
VISION
BRAND PROMISE
PRODUCTISATION
OF SERVICES
KAISA

14. EXPERIENCE
=
SERVICE
FELLMANNIA
VISITORS
REACHED
WORKSHOPS FEEDBACK
MESSAGES
238 275000
PARTICIPANTS
155
5
LEADERS
8
PROJECTDIRECTOR:SENJAJOUTTIMÄKI
Learning Centre Fellmannia in Lahti is a meeting place for information
and learning. The services are developed together with the users, and
students have actively taken part of the planning and realisation of the
new concepts.
ZEALOUS
STUDENTS
Fellmannia in pictures and a multimedia
show by students
A pop-up bakery by young entrepreneurs
from Salpaus Further Education
Three theses
eLearning afternoon
FRESH THOUGHTS
An electronic, transparent and
open feedback system
In collaboration with Design
Foundation Finland and Lahti
University of Applied Sciences
“THE FEED-
BACK BALL POOL”
1) Meeting services
2) Info and library services
3) Learning technology
4) Sustainable development
5) New service design
WORKSHOPS
EVERYONE’S
INVITED
Participatory evaluations
by students, teachers and
personnel
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
Defining good practices
Finding a suitable eco-
label for Fellmannia
AN INSPIRING
SOCIAL LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT

15. STUDENTCAPITAL
HELSINKI
SUMMER
SCHOOL
WORLD
STUDENT
CAPITAL
The design capital year realised the
potential of students as a creative force.
90,000 students reside in the Helsinki
metropolitan area, an incredible asset for
the region. Together they came up with
solutions for everyday challenges.
The multidisciplinary, wide-reaching
collaboration between universities of
applied science, universities and cities
and other actors interested in developing
the region created an enduring platform
for future engagement. Even though the
design capital year is over the Student
Capital partners continue their aspiration
to make Helsinki an even more interna-
tional and exciting student city.

16. STUDENTS
+
CITY
CITIES
STUDENTS
LIKES ON FACEBOOK
WORKSHOPS
PARTNERS
15
ATTENDEES AT
EVENTS
1500
5
SUPPORTED
EVENTS
17
515
4
EVENTS IN
THE
THINK CORNER
WORLDSTUDENTCAPITAL
CITY=HOME
COORDINATOR:AURAKOSTIAINEN
90000
25
ON THE MOVE LIVELY CAMPUSES
SOCIAL
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
SKILFUL YOUNGSTERS AS
PART OF THE METROPOLITAN
BRAND
Night at the Campus
Association events, such
as the Senate Square
Feast (suursitsit)
Bike to the campus 8 May
Campus ring map service
New student housing
solutions competition
The container flat for
students
Solutions for city cycling
Visualising the study grant jungle
Welfare and well-being
challenges
Seeing the environment with
fresh eyes
WORKSHOPS
READ THE WEB PUBLICATION!
STUDENTS’ MEANS OF
INFLUENCING

17. PRODUCTS
>
DESIGN
GRADE GIVEN BY
STUDENTS TO THE
DESIGN COURSES
(1-5, 5 HIGHEST)
NATIONALITIES
STUDENTS
381
EVENTS
15
4,54
64
COURSES
HELSINKISUMMERSCHOOL
22
Designing Tomorrow’s Agriculture: Role
of Ecosystem Services
Ecology and Management of Urban
Green Space
Designing Sustainable Forest
Landscapes – Ecosystem Services in
the Future
SUSTAINABILITY
Change and continuity in Russian and
Eastern European Development
Skills of an Active Citizen: Towards an
Inclusive Society
Cultural Activities and International
Networks
CITIZENSHIP
Advanced Materials
Cultural Heritage, Chemistry and
Spectroscopy
Representation of Curves and Surfaces
SCIENCE
Design and the City
Service Marketing and Design
Introduction to Arts Management
PLANNING AND
MARKETING
Activity Theory and Formative
Interventions
Cognitive Neuroscience
Designing Teacher Education
for the Future – What Can We
Learn from the Finnish Experience?
Video in Research on Learning and
Education
BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES
16 DESIGN COURSES
REDESIGN OF
TEACHING
NEW PROFILES
Life of the party
Career comet
Accomplisher
Experimenter
DESIGN WAS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR
WHEN CHOOSING HELSINKI
PLANNER:PAULIINAMIKKONEN
SERVICE PATH
1. Recognition
2. Curiosity
3. Keenness
4. Decision to apply
5. Wait for approval
6. Acceptance/rejection
7. Payment and application
8. Preparation
9. Arrival
10. Registration and
welcome
11. Application to course
12. Social events
13. Departure
14. Debriefing

18. EXHIBITIONS
SEATSOFLEARNING
CITYANDTHESACRED

19. DESIGN
=
UNIVERSITY
VISITORS
1500
CHAIRS
124
SEATSOFLEARNING
200YEARSOF
DESIGN
1937
2007
1957
Avarte, EFG, Inno, Isku, Lepo
Product, Mobel, Piiroinen
SPONSORS
A presentation of university
interior design throughout
the last couple of centuries
EXHIBITION
27.9.-31.12.2012
“The exhibition has been an
eye-opener – I look at my own
environment more closely now” GIFT BOOK

20. DESIGN
+
CHURCH
VISITORS
300
CITYANDTHESACRED
CHURCHARCHITECTURE
16.-26.10.2012
CONTAINER GALLERY
KUVIO RESEARCH ARCHIVE
Kuvio Research Archive aims
to produce an extensive online
database of modern church
architecture at an international
level. The main archive currently
contains over 22,000 high
quality images, including
important secular buildings.
Sketchesofchurchesthatwerenever
realisedmodelledintothecityscape
UNREALISED VISIONS
KALLIO CHURCH
VALLILA CHURCH
AGRICOLA CHURCH
TEMPPELIAUKIO CHURCH

21. OPEN CITY
– THE THINK CORNER
In February the University of Helsinki opened the Think Corner in the heart of Helsinki, on
Aleksanterinkatu 7. The Think Corner is an interactive space where people can experience the
university’s science and research first-hand. The Think Corner is a new kind of meeting-place
for students, university personnel and the citizens of Helsinki.
The Think Corner has had 300-500 visitors per day. Over 700 presentations have been held
to passers-by, students and university staff alike. 350 of the presentations have been caught
on live video and participants have been activated through over 300 workshops.

22. THINKCORNER EXPERIENCE
SCIENCE
BLOG
VISITORS
CAFÉ CUSTOMERS
WORKSHOPS SCIENCE
THEMES
PRESENTA-
TIONS
700
ENGAGED VISITORS
1000
62200 19100
FILMED PRE-
SENTATIONS
350
315 24
VISITORS / DAY
300
–
500
THINK CORNER 2.0
A PLATFORM FOR
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION
THINK CORNER 1.5
A PLATFORM FOR
CO-CREATION
Pilot: the Think Corner
concept applied to
exhibitions and fairs
–
Helsinki Book Fair 2012
THINK CORNER 1.0
SCIENTIFIC ENCOUNTERS
+
24 science themes
A window to the
university
Café
Bookstore
UH shop
2012
2013
-
2016
2013-2016
=
Thematic content
Co-working & co-creation
Strategic partnerships
Alumni

23. MORE INFORMATION
Ira Leväaho
Project Manager, World Design Capital Helsinki 2012
University of Helsinki
Community Relations
P.O. 33 (Fabianinkatu 18)
00014 Helsingin yliopisto
Tel. +358 50 505 8152
http://www.helsinki.fi/wdc2012