Helsinki (Finland) - A design by former student of Icsid Educational Member University of Art and Design Helsinki has been selected as the new visual identity for Aalto University in the Aalto University Visual Identity Contest. Aalto University has been created through a merger between the Helsinki School of Economics, the University of Art and Design Helsinki and the Helsinki University of Technology.

The Aalto University visual identity contest gathered a total of 117 contest entries from the students, staff and alumni of the Helsinki School of Economics, University of Art and Design Helsinki and Helsinki University of Technology. Contest was organised in cooperation with the Association of Professional Graphic Designers in Finland (Grafia), the Finnish Association of Designers (Ornamo) and the Finnish Association of Architects (SAFA) from 2 March - 17 April 2009. The purpose of the contest was to produce the basic elements for the visual identity of Aalto University.
 
The panel of judges selected the entry Kutsu - Invitation as the winner of the contest. Invitation is designed by Rasmus Snabb (b. 1978), a graphic designer and former student of University of Art and Design Helsinki. "The logo stands for a university that is open for discussion, critique and change. The logo is an invitation to discuss and evaluate, to participate in creating the new university. The logo doesn't have a static visual form, it can be endlessly rearranged and changed", explains Snabb the idea behind the visual concept.
 
President Tuula Teeri justifies that Invitation is a bold and ambitious work, which speaks the language of the young generation: "The winning entry expresses the ideas behind the formation of the multidisciplinary Aalto University. Science and art are about asking, answering and generating questions, and creativity in finding new connections."
 
"With the winning proposal Aalto University places itself in a category of its own among international educational institutions. With the fresh and young expression it exhibits a student-oriented learning culture that promotes the pursuit of new ideas. It's a proposal which is not only a superior visual identity, but a strong and versatile communication concept," states Bo Linnemann, a member of the panel of judges.
 
The prize
The prize sum of the winning entry is 10 000 €. In addition, the panel of judges awarded three entries (prize sum 3 000 €/entry): True Basics. Infinite Possibilities (designed by Teppo Haste, graduated from University of Art and Design Helsinki in 2005), Stream (designed by Jesper Bange, graduated from University of Art and Design Helsinki in 2004) and Ikiliikkuja (designed by Lotta Nieminen, Iira Oivo ja Annukka Saikkonen, students from University of Art and Design Helsinki).

The Judges
The members of the panel of judges were Henrikki Tikkanen, Professor, Helsinki School of Economics, Chair; Tuula Teeri, President, Aalto University; Jukka Vieno, Professor, University of Art and Design Helsinki; Mervi Paulasto-Kröckel, Professor, Helsinki University of Technology; Bo Linnemann, Designer and Principal, Kontrapunkt (Denmark); Leena Periaho, AD, appointed by Grafia; Tuomas Siitonen, Architect and Graphic Designer, appointed by Ornamo and SAFA.
 
The winning entry will be used as a basis for designing a Visual Identity for Aalto University. The visual identity of Aalto University will be published on 1 September 2009. Submitted contest entries will be on display in all Aalto University campuses in the fall of 2009.
 
About Aalto University
Aalto University will start up its operations during autumn 2009, once the new Finnish Universities Act enters into force. The operations of Helsinki School of Economics, University of Art and Design Helsinki and the Helsinki University of Technology will, in their entirety, become part of the Foundation's operations in early 2010.

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For more information, please contact:

Lotta Knuutinen
Communications Manager
t: + 358-50-349 1263
e:
w: www.aaltoyliopisto.info