You’ve been asking about them and now they’re here… the 2011 iittala Arabia Flora & Fauna Plates are now available at FinnishGifts.com. If you’re looking to add to your collection or thinking about just starting one, don’t delay as there is a very limited supply of these plates available for purchase…bottom line: these plates should sell out fast! This year’s series is based on the fable titled, “The Tale of the Raven and the Ant” and features drawings of an Ant and Reindeer Lichen (Moss). For more information about the story or the Flora & Fauna series, click on the link above.

Design Forum Finland recently published the Finnish Design Yearbook 2010 – 2011 and it is now available at FinnishGifts.com. The 121 page publication contains colorful photos and illustrations referencing a broad overview of both products, concepts, designers and manufacturers involved in contemporary Finnish design. In addition to presenting hundreds of products, it also discusses topical issues in design with articles by experts and interviews with leading actors in the field. The yearbook also reflects coming events such as Expo 2010 in Shanghai and Helsinki’s role as World Design Capital in 2012.

The recipient of the Young Designer of the Year 2010 are two designer groups, Imu and Aivan!. The Young Designer of the Year prize is given to a young designer of exceptionally original and high-standard skills and ability in the fields of crafts, applied art, industrial design, graphic design or interior architecture. The purpose of the prize is to encourage young designers to carry on uncompromising and original work in design. Read More at Design Forum Finland.

Previous recipients of the prize are designers Harri Koskinen and Ilkka Suppanen (2000), interior architect Karola Sahi and architect Eeva Lithovius (2001), designer and cabinetmaker Tuuli Autio and designer and silversmith Pyry Tamminen (2002), graphic designers Antti Hinkula and Teemu Suviala (2005), industrial designer Jukka Korpihete and furniture designer Mikko Paakkanen (2006), shoe designer Julia Lundsten and designer Janne Kyttänen (2007), designers Nathalie Lahdenmäki and Naoto Niidome (2008) and designers Terhi Tuominen and Mikko Laakkonen (2009).

Profits to benefit four global environmental projects

(Media Release: Louisville, KY, April 22, 2010) In honor of the 40th anniversaries of both Earth Day and Finlandia Vodka, Finlandia is releasing limited edition charity water bottles featuring designs by Klaus Haapaniemi, a world-renowned Finnish graphic artist dubbed as one of the most important rising stars in illustration and design.

“As a Finnish artist and proud of my heritage, it was a pleasure to partner with Finlandia on this project to benefit so many great environmental charities,” said Haapaniemi. “I hope my designs bring color and fantasy to Finlandia and glamorize the nature and the wildlife of Finland.”

Each design represents one of Finlandia Vodka’s core elements: the Midnight Sun, untouched nature, six-row barley and pure glacial spring water. These one-liter SIGG® water bottles will sell for $28 U.S. and Finlandia will divide all profits among four global environmental projects selected to promote sustainability beyond the brand’s distillation footprint. This cause-marketing program is an early step in a new, concerted effort to explore sustainability and the brand’s harmony with nature.

From left to right: “The Very Tired Rooster” representing the Midnight Sun, which shines for 73 days straight in the north of Finland; Untouched Nature represented by a Norse mythological character, “Ratatosk”, the red squirrel; Six-row barley featuring “The Cranes” walking in the barley field; Representing Pure Glacial Spring Water, “Thiaridae” freshwater snail.

“The Finlandia brand is honored to offer these unique water bottles with designs from Klaus Haapaniemi, a truly brilliant artist,” said Jennie Meador, global associate creative director for Finlandia Vodka. “His designs have brought our brand stories to life. And, with proceeds going to such great charities, this program really respects the nature of the Finnish spirit of sustainable living. As a Finnish brand, we strive to be in harmony with nature and the money raised will help provide for some tremendous projects around the globe.”

These limited edition Finlandia water bottles will be available on May 3 for purchase at www.finlandiawaterbottle.com.

Nice use of Flash design/programming on Iittala’s website that features this year’s holiday items by the popular Finnish company. It also features a calendar that showcases one Iittala product for each day in December. Just thought it was kind of cool — some great pictures of product arrangements thrown in there. Enjoy and happy holidays!

View the Iittala holiday catalog calendar webpage.

Helsinki will be the World Design Capital of the year 2012. The designation was announced by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) at the Icsid World Design Congress 2009 in Singapore on November 25, 2009.

Altogether 46 cities from 27 countries applied for the designation. An international jury first shortlisted Helsinki and Eindhoven of the Netherlands and then awarded the designation to Helsinki after careful consideration.

Helsinki will be the third World Design Capital, following Turin (Torino, 2008) and Seoul (2010). The World Design Capital is a biennial designation given to one city at a time.

Design is a factor deep-rooted in the urban lifestyle of Helsinki. Design is manifest in the everyday lives of Helsinki citizens in many ways, ranging from home furniture and items that represent old Finnish design traditions to modern urban solutions in the city and contemporary interior design.

The creative sector is re-shaping Helsinki’s economy and enhancing the citizens’ quality of life. Design seen from a broad perspective – in city planning, architecture, industrial design and service design – plays an integral role in the development of Helsinki, city services and consumer products.

Helsinki’s World Design Capital year 2012 will comprise a wide range of events and projects related to design and its manifestations. In 2012 Helsinki will also celebrate the 200th anniversary of becoming the capital of Finland, when the country was a grand duchy of the Russian Empire.

For more information about the World Design Capital, please visit these great websites:

• World Design Capital 2012 Helsinki
• World Design Capital

One of Koskinen’s most famous works are his block lamp creations.

Iittala recently posted their latest product catalog online using a neat tool by MagNet. The “Designed to be combined” titled catalog features 65+ pages of Iittala’s current product line. Everything from dishes to glass birds are shown, accompanied by many great photos and a lot of interesting information. View Iittala’s catalog.

On October 7th, MyIittala members (register for free at iittala.com) have an opportunity to chat online with designer Ilkka Suppanen. The chat takes place on Wednesday October 7th at 17:00 (UK), 19:00 (Finland) and 12:00 (United States EST). 

Iittala is also running a contest to win a Suppanen Fireplace.  Contestants are to set the mood with an Iittala Ambient Light object in use and then take a picture and submit it for a chance to win a Fireplace. Contest ends October 31, 2009.

A quick note to our Marimekko wallpaper customers: prices will be increasing significantly on October 1st. Place your orders now to receive the best price at FinnishGifts.com.