Private: Walking Design Tour Of Helsinki

Private Walking Design Tour Of Helsinki Photo #1 of 2 Photo copyright ShoreTrips.com.

Overview

Helsinki has been honoured in its selection as the World Design Capital 2012.

Helsinki is the centre of arts and sciences in Finland. Design is deep-rooted in Helsinki and the lifestyle of its citizens and is one of the cornerstones of the city's competitiveness. Finnish design is well renowned, and rightly so. Some of the big names include Iittala, Marimekko, Arabia and Artek, but the real joy is in discovering the city's individual boutiques showing young local students and designers. Glassware, ceramics, fashion and art spill out of the streets at the heart of the Design District. The area is constantly in flux with new designers popping up all the time.

DESIGN MUSEUM:
Design Museum is a special museum that selects and maintains a design collection. The museum also develops exhibitions of Finnish arts and crafts to the international market.
The Design museum's comprehensive and varied collections shed light on the history and development of Finnish design. Collections of the museum present the history of Finnish arts and crafts.

ARTEK presents Architect Alvar Aalto's design:
Artek was founded in 1935 by four young idealists: Alvar and Aino Aalto, Maire Gullichsen and Nils-Gustav Hahl. The business idea of the company was "to sell furniture and to promote modern culture of habitation by exhibitions and other means."

Artek stands for timeless design created by motivated and progressive thinkers. Some of Artek's most famous products are the furniture, lamps and textiles designed by famous Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto. Artek is renowned as one of the most innovative contributions to modern design.

The world of MARIMEKKO:
Marimekko is a colorful vision, and very Finnish. Founded in 1951 by Armi and Viljo Ratia, the bold Marimekko textiles and clothes were a radical shift in style, driven by a team of groundbreaking designers. Marimekko today is a public company with some 800 retailers around the world.

Marimekko's international breakthrough came with the US election campaign between Kennedy and Nixon in 1960. Jacqueline Kennedy was criticized by the American press for wearing expensive French clothing so when she found some simple but colorful Finnish cotton dresses in a shop in Cape Cod, she purchased them. The story was printed in some 300 newspapers all over the country, thus launching Marimekko's name.

IITTALA - ARABIA:
Iittala makes life simple, provides the essentials, and brings pleasure to everyday moments. By bringing designed, contemporary and functional objects for preparing food, dining, and decorating into the new living space, Iittala enriches your everyday life.

On our walking tour you will sense, see and feel why Helsinki has been chosen among many cities as the World Design Capital 2012.

- If you chose to take a taxi once you meet your guide, you will have a small additional cost. Taxis may be paid with credit cards.

- Most places open on Sundays at noon.
- The Design Museum is open from June 1st to August 31st from 11am - 6pm except for Mondays, when it is closed.
- The Design Museum is closed from September 1st to May 30th.

Days offered: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Departures:

• 09:00 AM, duration: 3.5 hours Length approximate
• 01:00 PM, duration: 3.5 hours Length approximate