Tapio Wirkkala
Finland

Sebastian Herkner is a very sought-after designer. We accompanied him from Offenbach to Selb, where he is to boost business for Rosenthal with porcelain vases and teapots.

The “Helsinki Design Week” took place for the 10th time this year. For all those who may have forgotten what makes Finnish design so special – the trade fair complex and Helsinki’s Design District provided a lot to bring things back to mind.

Enjoying a TV dinner or simply eating with your laptop on your knees? Does either have much to do with cultured meals? And can you use plates, cups and the like made by three Modernist mega-hitters to this end, namely Wilhelm Wagenfeld, Tapio Wirkkala and Timo Sarpaneva? The exhibition on “Vom Stand der Dinge” in Bremen explores these questions, with the help of 11 contemporary designers.

How much are titles, prizes and other distinctions really worth? What some consider a mark of quality is seen by others as a red rag. The Finnish capital Helsinki has been selected as the World Design Capital 2012 – and is definitely worth a visit.