New School Helsinki

2016 World Design Capital was Taipei in Taiwan. Having been World Design Capital in 2012, Helsinki participated in the WDC2016 programme under the educational theme of “New School Helsinki”.

Werklig was assigned to create the concept and the visual identity for the exhibition and its satellite events. As already in the name generated by Werklig “New School Helsinki” the visual elements are constructive building blocks reflecting education and schools as spatial environments.

New School Helsinki refers to a new and innovative way of looking at schools. New School Helsinki presents digital learning solutions, smart buildings, adaptable interiors and solutions to improve educational surroundings. As well the name The term 'New School' works as a motivational quote for the companies participating: You are here presenting new school thinking and the latest forerunner solutions from your country.

Identity elements like colouring is taken from public trasportation and combined with Alku typeface, part of the renewed Finnish national writing system designed by Typolar & Finnish National Agency for Education. (No one had used this typeface in any other context before.)

Designers Klaus and Elina Aalto designed an interactive exhibition space that visitors could help build.