New Directions for the International Marketing of Finnish Design

In January 2006, Design Forum Finland started a strategic planning process in order to improve international marketing of Finnish design and to reinforce its position internationally.

Design Forum Finland s vision is to make Finland internationally known for its high class design know-how and include design as an integral part of Finland's national image by 2010.

"In the past, design has had an exceptionally important role in building the national identity of Finland.

Today, design is strongly integrated to the modern Finnish society, which is based on research, innovativeness and technological know-how," states Mr Ilpo Santala, CEO of Design Forum Finland.

The aim of the project is to improve the visibility of Finnish design both in international press as well as in important international arenas.

The purpose is to present new designers, companies and success stories alongside well-known icons of Finnish design.

The marketing strategy currently under preparation is intended to promote the international competitiveness of design-intensive companies and the design sector as a whole.

At the national level, the aim is to make design as one of the prime focuses of Finnish creative exports and to seek synergies in the promotion of other cultural, as well as technological fields.