Helsinki Design Week remains open
Helsinki Design Week’s versatile programme will again include Main Events as well as Companion and Satellite Events. The Open Call for programme events as well as for Design Market vendors begins today.
“Our annual theme We are open is actually a bit more than a theme. Openness has been at the core of everything we do from the very beginning. It’s important for us to remain an open platform. All kinds of events and doers are welcome to join us,” says Programme Director Anni Korkman. “We are also openly always developing the festival and the Weekly media and are open-minded about proposals for collaboration. Our programme has always been built in close collaboration with an international network of stakeholders and friends.”
The Open Call for programme events is on 3 March – 19 June 2022
The structure of the programme was renewed last year. In 2022, the festival is again looking for proposals for both Companion and Satellite Events. These two different categories communicate more clearly the services provided by HDW: curation, communication and production.
“There will be a limited number of Companion Events selected to the programme. For the organizers of these, we are more able to provide more close collaboration with the HDW Team. The nominal processing fee for the Satellite Event participation, on the other hand, allows for genuine openness, accessibility and low threshold entry. Student events will continue to be offered free visibility in the Satellite Event category.”
How would Korkman advise those who are planning to take part but are not sure about how?
“Just contact us and we can have a think together. During these 18 years, we’ve put together a wide range of product, service and idea launches: parties, exhibitions, installations, talks and campaigns, around the city and online. Additionally, we are sure to find complementary, even surprising partners in our extensive stakeholder network.”
The HDW and Weekly website has almost completely been revamped over the past year. The updates will also make it possible to share the content of virtual events and other news better than before. When the pandemic situation is finally alleviated, one should expect not only high-quality online content, but also face-to-face encounters. “We are cautiously hopeful now that we can open Helsinki again,” says Korkman. You can find the application form for the event calendar here.
The call is also open for Design Market 3 March – 31 May 2022
One of the most anticipated events of the year is the stock sale of high-quality design products in the Design Market (9–11 September). The event will return to Kaapelitehdas after a couple of years, with appropriate adjustments. Vendor selection focuses on curation, and the visitor experience is further developed, still strictly following the recommendations of the authorities for all event organizers.
The Design Market Online online campaign, launched in 2020, will take place at the same time as the Cable Factory event, on the first weekend of the festival. Where the Cable Factory visitor can expect top discoveries in the products of prototypes and previous seasons, the online implementation is primarily intended for the presentation and sale of new products. “This new policy is based on feedback from Design Market vendors. The online version was released in the first spring of COVID-19 when we wanted to offer local design companies the opportunity to make some sales even when brick and mortar shops were closed and events banned. Since then, the web implementation has been developed to better serve vendors and customers. I believe that the launches of new products also support the goals of stock sales well.” You can find the application form for Design Market outlets here.
What else is in store for September?
“Luovi is a design expert organization. As an urban festival, HDW also has the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary way. This year, we will deepen our collaboration with other city festivals as well as the most interesting restaurants. I look forward to telling more about these.”
The open content search also applies to Helsinki Design Weekly media. Are you a writer, photographer or illustrator? Do you perhaps know about a design or architecture phenomenon or news story that Weekly should report? Just an idea is enough for an email to Weekly at communications@helsinkidesignweek.com.
The main events of Helsinki Design Week (8–18 September 20220) will be published on 12 May and the full programme on 4 August. Once again, the largest design festival in the Nordic countries offers an inspiring and thought-provoking programme for both local and international audiences. By subscribing to Helsinki Design Week here, you will be the first to hear the news.