755. Curiosity, Collaboration, and Hope (Finland). A talk with Tuuli Mattelmäki

Tuuli Mattelmäki is the professor of Service Design in Aalto University. In this interview we talk about the collaboration with the city of Espoo and her journey from industrial design to service design, exploring collaboration and uncertainty.  She also shares insights on connecting academia and practice, and how designers can create impact through co-creation.

We have recorded this interview in one of the session of the network: Gov. Design Finland. These weekly sessions are open only to members of the network (600 persons).

This interview is part of the lists: Design education, Design Research, Finnish design in the public sector, Public policies, Service Design, City and design and Finland and design.

She mentioned:

Two academic articles:

Viewpoint: advancing service design with practitioners’ insights 

9 Dimensions for evaluating how art and creative practice stimulate societal transformations

One exhibition:

Designs for a Cooler Planet

A lab:

Wonder Lab in Monash University, Australia

Some of her key phrases are:

“Design leaves behind more than solutions; it leaves learning and new capabilities.”

“Big changes do not happen in short-term projects. They require time, trust, and a programme of continuous learning.”

“Co-creation starts with listening. Humble inquiry is essential in interdisciplinary work.”

“A designer’s role is not only to create solutions but to help organisations learn systematically from their projects.”

“We need to train our ability to imagine alternatives and act constructively in uncertainty.”