The 6th Alvar Aalto Design Seminar explores the creative process of the designer, something that does not show in the final product. What does the design of an industrial product comprise? How does the designer decide what to show and what not to show? And what is the role of art and creativity in mass production? What is the relationship of commerciality to functionality and beauty? Speakers also address the issue of how to design a long-lasting and durable product. What type of corporate setting produces a high-quality result? How does one create a classic?

Lying behind the identity and quality of a piece of applied art that has become a classic is often a successful match of functionality and beauty. Yet, the role of art as a material for product identity has often been overlooked, even if it is obvious that with classic products art is precisely the glue that provides them with a long life and improves their quality. There is always that invisible something that produces the insightful ideas.

Timo Salli
Chairman of the seminar board
Aalto University School of Art and Design

Venue

The seminar venue is in the main auditorium of the University of Jyväskylä (designed by Alvar Aalto 1954-55).

Language

The official language of the symposium is English.

Registration fees