Mikael “Miklu” Silvanto started as Professor of Practice at Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture is strengthening its societal and community relations by inviting Mikael “Miklu” Silvanto as a Professor of Practice at the Department of Design. Silvanto’s position is part-time, at 20% capacity, and the contract will be for two years. The professorship has been made possible by donations from Supercell Oy, Kone Oyj, Marimekko Oyj, and First Fellow Oy.
Silvanto is known for his innovative work with companies such as Apple, Bang & Olufsen, and Airbnb, where he has expanded the boundaries of design and technology. Currently, he serves as the Chief Design Officer at ŌURA, where he is responsible for the user experience and visual design of ŌURA's devices and software. ŌURA is particularly known for its rings, which combine user-friendly design with health-focused wearable technology.
Furthermore, Silvanto has been active in founding and running design-driven startups and leveraging the role of design for corporate brands.
These merits make Miklu Silvanto stand out as a highly successful designer with both personal artistic merits as well as highly relevant societal and technological leverage for contemporary life. Moreover, through his experience in various organisational contexts, Silvanto can be expected to deliver highly impactful content for teaching design during the ongoing rapid change in the design process and the role of AI-assisted tools in this change.
Silvanto has a Master’s Degree (Design Products, 2008) from the Royal College of Art, London, UK and a Bachelor's Degree (Industrial Design, 2006) from Lahti Institute of Design.
Miklu is passionate about developing collaboration models between people and technology, and promoting team-oriented thinking, as he firmly believes that great achievements can be reached through teamwork. He is open to discussions and collaborations with both faculty and students at the Department of Design.
This appointment enhances the capacity of the Department of Design to identify the impacts of AI in the design profession and integrate such views into teaching at the department.
For more information:
Head of the Department of Design Mikko Jalas
mikko.jalas@aalto.fi
+358403538247
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