Anni highlights the transformation taking place in the design field, emphasizing a shift from focusing solely on end products to exploring the design processes themselves. “This year, the focus is on design processes: how ideas are developed, how materials are used and reused, and how design can reflect a deep respect for the environment, especially considering the current geopolitical and climate crises”, she explained. Her vision centres on the idea of creating design that serves the city and its people, emphasizing that it’s not just about making more but about making better for the community.

Rethinking the festival’s format was also on Anni’s checklist going forward. “It’s important to reconsider and redefine the format of the event, suggesting that such festivals should tell stories not only about designers but also about their practices.” This perspective not only encourages a broader conversation on the impact of design, but explores its significance not only on a local level but also within a global context. “It’s almost an invitation to understand what it really means to be a designer today—a journey that combines personal growth with a deep sense of social and environmental responsibility.”

One of HDW’s distinctive features is its close connection with the Helsinki community, with Anni pointing out that the event brings together a wide range of participants, including designers and industry professionals as well as the city's residents. This inclusivity is essentially what makes HDW a powerful platform for fostering collaboration across different sectors of society. “Through this synergy, the festival becomes a strategic tool that enhances the liveability of Helsinki, showing how design can be used to improve urban life”, Anni notes. Although the festival does not focus on creating permanent architecture, it plays a key role in supporting projects that encourage creativity and innovation within the city

Looking to the future, Anni discussed the importance of balancing local and global dimensions. The goal is to attract international talent and foster openness to new ideas while maintaining a strong connection to the local community. “The festival aims to present its narrative in a globalized context while continuing to strengthen its ties with Helsinki’s citizens, especially through events that are open and accessible to the public.” A crucial objective is to find ways to retain young talent, such as graduates from Aalto University, in turn nurturing a dynamic and sustainable creative ecosystem in the city, a strategy that is vital for ensuring the long-term prosperity of its design and innovation sectors.

In conclusion, HDW is not just a celebration of design; it’s a platform for exploring its transformative power within communities and its potential to address current challenges. As the festival approaches its 20th anniversary, its organizers continue to refine the concept behind it, promoting a vision of design thinking that prioritizes sustainability and inclusivity—in other words, design for all.

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About our guest contributor Paola Carimati

Architect by training, journalist by profession, she has been intertwining research with design and current affairs since the time of graduation at the Politecnico di Milano. Writing is a practice matured and trained in the field: yesterday, in the editorial staff of Elle Decor Italia, today with important Italian magazines of the groups Editoriale Domus, Il Salone del Mobile, Mondadori and Rcs.