10th International Alvar Aalto Design Seminar – Authenticity, Cohabitation and Evolution in design

Let’s get together to celebrate this unforgettable 10th Design Seminar! Join us in networking with international professionals and design lovers. The English-language presentations will also be streamed from the Main Auditorium of the University of Jyväskylä.

Speakers in the spotlight
The speakers at the Design Seminar are: designer and Professor (UdK-Berlin) Ineke Hans from the Netherlands; CEO Hanna Neuvo of FYRA Design Agency; Professor of Design Ann Light of the University of Sussex, UK, and Malmö University, Sweden; design historian, curator Kaisu Savola of Aalto University;  industrial designer Harri Koskinen of Friends of Industry Ltd; designer and entrepreneur Zeynep Falay von Flittner of Falay Transition Design; and designers Angelos Arnis and Milja Havusela of Ornamo Responsibility Circle. Read more about the speakers here.

Three topical themes
AUTHENTICITY – How can design benefit from modern technology and artificial intelligence without losing its authenticity? Defining authenticity and preparing for change in the design field.
COHABITATION – Cities are expanding rapidly. The impact of dense urban structures on ecosystems is enormous. How can a planned environment coexist with biodiversity without disturbing the ecosystem?
EVOLUTION – Possible design futures? Applying global trends and challenges locally. Current outlooks for the design industry and our environment.

Varied side programme
The seminar’s side programme on 10–11 June 2025 is dedicated to the Aaltos’ design legacy. Artek was founded 90 years ago, and 13 selected Aalto sites have been proposed for UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Artek’s anniversary and the Visibly Invisible – Artek’s Drawing Office 1936–2004 exhibition will be the subject of a lecture by Timo Penttilä and Antti Tevajärvi (Artek 2nd Cycle), open to all in the Aalto2 Museum Centre at 17:30–18:00 on 10 June.

The side programme includes guided tours of the Aaltos’
architectural sites:
10.6. Säynätsalo Town Hall and University of Jyväskylä campus
11.6. bus tour to Villa Mairea and Paimio Sanatorium (Jyväskylä-Noormarkku-Paimio-Helsinki). Places on the tours are limited.

Read more about ticket options, including group and student tickets here. Online participation is completely free of charge, but registration is required. 

The International Alvar Aalto Design Seminar was established 30 years ago (1995) as a discussion forum in the spirit of Alvar Aalto’s functional, ecological design. Since 1995, artist and graphic designer Aimo Katajamäki has been in charge of its visual identity. The event is held every three years, alternating with the Alvar Aalto Symposium and Alvar Aalto Research Seminar. It is produced by the Alvar Aalto Academy.  The Seminar’s main partner is the City of Jyväskylä. Other partners in 2025 include Aalto University, Archinfo, Artek, Cumulus Association, Finnish Design Info, Finnish Design Shop, Grafia, Habitare Pro, University of Jyväskylä, ORNAMO, SAFA and SIO.