‘Nokia Design Archive’ Launched by Finland’s Aalto University

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As a gamer with a soft spot for nostalgia and a deep appreciation for the history of technology, I can hardly contain my excitement about the upcoming launch of the Nokia Design Archive at Aalto University. Growing up, I remember the iconic ‘brick phone’ and the ‘banana phone’ being the coolest gadgets on the block, and now, I have the chance to delve into their design processes, advertising campaigns, and more!

Aalto University, a highly respected research institution based in Helsinki, Finland, has unveiled the Nokia Design Archive – an open-access online platform housing around 20,000 artifacts and 959GB of digital files from Nokia spanning the period between the mid-1990s and 2017.

Beginning on January 15, 2025, users can explore a rich collection of advertising materials, brainstorming sketches, designer interviews, and presentations. These resources were previously licensed from Microsoft Mobile prior to their recent brand transition. The archive will unveil exclusive prototypes, design methods, and technology innovations that have never been seen before. Additionally, it will showcase material related to famous models like the ‘brick phone’ and the ‘banana phone.’

Experts from various fields such as design, history, organizational studies, and management lent their knowledge to the research group at Aalto University, helping to construct a comprehensive understanding of Nokia’s distinctive role during the late 90s and the early 2000s – a significant period in history.

Kaisu Savola, a post-doctoral researcher at Aalto University, stated that Nokia found itself in a situation much like Samsung or Apple do today. Back in the ’90s, many people, especially those of the iPhone generation, may not remember that this Finnish tech company was leading the charge in the mobile revolution, with its daring design and forward-thinking technological principles. These advanced features made Nokia’s devices appealing to young millennials and Generation X.

She added, “Big businesses significantly impact our daily routines through their inventions. It’s not only technology molding us, but also us shaping technology. At first, our project aimed at examining items, but as we delved into the subject matter, it became clear that it was all about people.

Starting January 15, you’ll have free access to the Nokia Design Archive on the official Aalto University website.

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2024-12-10 00:56