Aalto University is set to unveil the Nokia Design Archive, a captivating digital portal offering unprecedented access to two decades of design history from one of the world’s moast influential tech companies. Launching globally on January 15th, 2025, the archive throws open the doors to the raw ideas, innovative processes, and iconic products that shaped Nokia’s legacy, a Finnish technology giant founded in 1865.
Spanning over 700 curated entries from the mid-1990s to 2017, the Nokia Design Archive showcases the creative ingenuity behind both beloved classics like the indestructible 3310 ‘brick phone’ and the futuristic 8810 ‘banana phone,’ as well as lesser-known prototypes and visionary concepts. Visitors will encounter not only Nokia’s finished products but also the sketches, advertisements, and ideation processes that brought these personal tech devices to life.
This comprehensive digital resource traces the roots of technological innovations such as Augmented Reality, QR codes, wearable health devices, and even early glimpses of social media. It invites viewers to reflect on how these ideas helped shape modern connectivity.While this curated portal offers a structured glimpse into Nokia’s design legacy, the broader archive boasts an outstanding 20,000 items and nearly one terabyte of digital files. Licensed from Microsoft Mobile, this collection originated when Nokia’s handset operations came to a close, marking a turning point in the brand’s history. Researchers at Aalto University anticipate that future curation will unlock even more insights,sparking new analyses on design,consumer culture,and Nokia’s impact on the global tech landscape.
“The material shows how crucial it is to have an organizational culture where experimentation and enjoyment of the process are encouraged,” says Anna Valtonen, Lead Researcher on the project, “Especially in these times of change, it is crucial to understand how we can grasp the world around us and imagine what we could be.”
The archive project brings together experts in design, management, and cultural studies to explore Nokia’s design processes and practices. Valtonen notes that the archive is as much about people as it is about products: “What about people? what about how humans perceive things? How ideas are adopted into society? From a scientific perspective,this is the kind of qualitative empirical material we need more of.”
This human-centric approach underlines how Nokia’s designs were not just functional but also deeply influenced by cultural contexts and user needs,a perspective echoed by postdoctoral researcher Kaisu Savola: “Technology doesn’t just shape us; we shape technology. When we started the project, the focus was on objects. As we began going through the material, we soon realised that it was about people.”
The Nokia Design Archive exemplifies Aalto University’s commitment to bridging the worlds of technology,business,and the arts. It not only captures a pivotal era in the history of mobile technology but also fosters lifelong learning, encouraging new dialogues about design’s role in shaping society. It sheds light on the everyday work of designers, revealing the values and social responsibility embedded in their practices.
“The Nokia Design Archive reminds us that activism, social responsibility, and values exist in designers — and they’ve existed forever,” reflects Michel Nader Sayun, a researcher at Aalto’s department of Management Studies.”The research shines a light on the everyday work of designers, how they share their concerns and cultural understandings, negotiate different approaches, and how they interact with decision-makers.”
– What are some key highlights from the Nokia Design Archive that showcase its historical importance?
Title: Unveiling the Nokia Design Archive: A Conversation with Aalto university’s Experts
Interviewer: Time.news Editor
Expert: Anna Valtonen, Lead Researcher; Kaisu Savola, Postdoctoral Researcher; Michel Nader Sayun, Researcher at Aalto University
Q1: Can you tell us about the Nokia Design Archive and what visitors can expect when it launches on January 15th, 2025?
Anna Valtonen: Absolutely! The Nokia Design Archive is a digital portal that provides unprecedented access to two decades of design history from Nokia, one of the most influential tech companies globally.visitors will find over 700 curated entries, showcasing iconic products like the indestructible 3310 and the innovative 8810, alongside lesser-known prototypes. It’s an opportunity to explore the raw ideas and creative processes behind these devices, including sketches and advertisements, revealing how they were conceptualized and brought to life.
Q2: What makes this project significant within the context of design and technology history?
Kaisu Savola: This project is essential because it opens a window into the profound connection between technology and society. As we analyze these designs,we realize that they are not just products; they are reflections of human experiences and cultural contexts. The archive captures a pivotal era in mobile technology while emphasizing that technology doesn’t just shape us, we shape technology. It invites new dialogues about design’s role in our society through the lens of user needs and cultural influences.
Q3: How does the Nokia Design Archive demonstrate the importance of organizational culture in design?
anna Valtonen: The materials in the archive underscore how crucial it is to foster an organizational culture encouraging experimentation and enjoyment of the design process. In times of constant change, it’s vital to grasp the world around us and imagine future possibilities. Our research emphasizes that understanding these processes can lead to better design outcomes and innovation.
Q4: With nearly 20,000 items and almost one terabyte of digital files in the broader archive, how do you envision future research being influenced by this collection?
Michel Nader Sayun: The extensive nature of the archive means there’s a wealth of qualitative empirical material that researchers can pull from in various fields, from design and consumer culture to technological impact assessments.We believe it will spark new analyses that can teach us about the interplay between design and societal values, enhancing our understanding of how designers share their concerns and social responsibilities through their work.
Q5: In your opinion, what role do designers play in shaping societal values through technology?
Michel Nader Sayun: Designers are much more than creators of functional products; they are activists and cultural interpreters. the Nokia Design Archive illustrates that designers embed their values and social responsibilities into the everyday work they do. This archive not only showcases their products but also unpacks the cultural dialogues and decision-making processes that influence technological advancements.
Q6: What practical advice would you give to aspiring designers or those in the tech industry looking to learn from this archive?
Kaisu Savola: My advice would be to approach design with a human-centric perspective. Understanding the user—what they need, how they perceive technology, and the contexts they operate in—should be front and center. Engage with your audience,negotiate different approaches,and don’t shy away from exploring and testing new ideas. The insights gained from studying processes like those available in the Nokia Design Archive can be invaluable to your development as a designer.
Q7: Lastly, what message do you hope the Nokia Design Archive conveys to the public about the future of design and technology?
Anna Valtonen: We want the archive to remind everyone of the significance of creativity and exploration in design. As we step into a future filled with technological advancements, it’s essential to continue the conversation about the duty we hold as designers and how we can envision a better world through our work. The Nokia Design archive is just the beginning of that dialog.
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The Nokia Design Archive is a testament to the rich history and the promising future of design and technology. For more insights into this groundbreaking initiative, keep an eye out for the launch on January 15th, 2025.