Helsinki
Nov 01
Info
This November, SPAN travels to Helsinki. World-renowned for its modern design heritage, Finland’s capital city is cultivating a new generation of innovative design leaders. These creative makers narrow the distance between ideas and actions, analog and digital, waste and reuse—past, present, and future. Read on for details on our inspiring lineup of people and programming.
Speakers
Designers, artists, and technologists who are shaping the future of design.

Marko Ahtisaari is artistic director of the Helsinki Festival. Previously he was a director’s fellow at the MIT Media Lab and CEO and co-founder of Sync Project.


Astrom / Zimmer is a Zürich-based design studio led by Anthon Astrom and Lukas Zimmer. The studio explores alternative methods for creating, curating, and narrating analog and digital content.


Led by siblings Kivi and Tuuli Sotamaa, Ateljé Sotamaa creates emotionally-appealing objects and holistic architectural environments.


Linda Bergroth is a Helsinki- and Paris-based designer. Her award-winning work ranges from industrial design to interior architecture and set creation.


James Bridle is an artist and writer working across technologies and disciplines. His artworks have been exhibited worldwide and on the internet.


As Google’s Head of Conversation Design Advocacy and Education, Wally Brill develops and maintains best practices for the Google Assistant.


Rosa Tolnov Clausen is a Danish textile designer and researcher exploring ways to bring the traditional craft of Nordic weaving into the present.


Based in New York, Stephanie Dinkins is a transdisciplinary artist who creates platforms for dialogue about AI as it intersects race, gender, aging, and our future histories.


A “flower shop that doesn’t exist.” Led by creative director Laura Väinölä, Flora & Laura designs unique floral stylings for installations, public events, and editorial commissions.


As managing director, Tonje Værdal Frydenlund oversees architecture, landscape, interior, and planning for Snøhetta. She also chairs Powerhouse, a collaborative effort to develop energy-positive buildings.


Dan Hill is Head of Arup Digital Studio and a globally-recognized leader on the intersection of design, urbanism, and technology.


Isabelle Olsson is the design director for Google Home and Google Wearables. She also oversees CMF (color, material, and finish) for all Google hardware.


Based in the Netherlands, RNDR creates visualizations, coding programs, and creative interactions across different media, ranging from interactive installations to print.


Sanne Schuurman is a designer, art director, and co-founder of Envisions, a collective of multidisciplinary designers specializing in experimental material research.


Schick Toikka is an independent type foundry and graphic design studio established in 2010 by Florian Schick and Lauri Toikka.


Varjo creates immersive VR/XR hardware and software—at human-eye resolution.


Anni Vartola is a Helsinki-based architecture critic, scholar in postmodern architectural theory, and curator of the Finnish Pavilion at the 2018 Venice Biennale.


With a tactile sensibility and inquisitive mind, Lucas Zanotto creates playful work including commercials, installations, and digital builds.


Learn more about the technologists, artists, creatives, and studios speaking at SPAN Helsinki.

Program
The day begins with morning talks, followed by three sessions of workshops and demos. In the evening, world-renowned artists and designers take the stage for captivating conversations.
Talks + Conversations
Hear from Helsinki natives and international speakers including James Bridle, Isabelle Olsson, Stephanie Dinkins, Dan Hill, and others who represent the best in today’s interdisciplinary practice. Engaging talks, keynotes, and thoughtful conversations bookend a day of dialogue and exchange—arrive inquisitive; leave inspired.
Open to attendees 09:30–11:00 and 16:30-19:30
Hands-on Workshops
Learn new skills in sessions led by local creators and Google experts—including hand-drawn type design; tactile filmmaking; pattern making; running design sprints; designing effective personas and dialogue for voice user interfaces; and experimenting with novel materials for product design.
Open to attendees 11:00-16:30
Cabinets + Installations
We’re transforming Wanha Satama’s intimate, site-specific cabinet rooms into immersive, interactive spaces curated by Finnish designers. Explore Flora & Laura’s “dark garden” and an installation by Linda Bergroth.
Open to the public 10:30-16:00
Demos
Experience creative tech firsthand with XR/VR prototypes from Varjo and interactive design tools by RNDR. Throughout the day, small groups can join creators for informal Q&A and a chance to try out these inspiring innovations.
Open to the public 10:30-16:00
Material Studio
Try out Material Gallery and listen to short talks from Google’s design experts—on everything from icons to motion design, navigation patterns, and design research. Conference attendees can also sign up for one-on-one design reviews with members of the Material team.
Open to the public 10:30-16:00
SPAN Pop-Up
New for 2018! Our SPAN pop-up is designed for those who can’t attend the full day of programming. Free and open to the public from 10:30–16:00, the pop-up will feature a cafe, marketplace, installations, demos, and lots more by: Artek 2nd Cycle, Linda Bergroth, Lokal, NIDE, Bookm-ark.fi, Common, Flora & Lora, Varjo, RNDR, and Material Design. Swing by and please tell your friends!
Open to the public 10:30-16:00
Schedule
Doors Open
Welcome
Talks
Tonje Værdal Frydenlund
Snøhetta
Sanne Schuurman
Envisions
Anni Vartola and Astrom / Zimmer in conversation
Moderated by Dan Hill
Workshop I
Design Writing, Tactile Filmmaking, Hand-Drawn Typography, Hardware Design
Led by Google Design, Lucas Zanotto, Schick Toikka, Katie Morgenroth
Lunch
Workshop II
Conversation Design, Hardware Design, Hand-Drawn Typography, Design Sprint
Led by Wally Brill, Katie Morgenroth, Schick Toikka, Google
Workshop III
Conversation Design, Tactile Filmmaking, Hand-Drawn Typography, Design Sprint
Led by Wally Brill, Lucas Zanotto, Schick Toikka, Google
Evening Session
Talks
Marko Ahtisaari
Technologist
Kivi and Tuuli Sotamaa
Ateljé Sotamaa
Stephanie Dinkins in conversation
Moderated by Amber Bravo
Isabelle Olsson
James Bridle
Artist
After Party
Hyvää yötä — doors close at 21:00
Venue
SPAN will be held at Wanha Satama, in Helsinki’s Katajanokka district. Built in the late nineteenth century and renovated in the early 90s, the building is a stunning mix of glass, brick, and timber. Just steps from the sea and the city center, the venue is easily accessible by foot or public transit.
Wanha Satama
Pikku Satamakatu 5, 00160
Katajanokka
Helsinki, Finland
Attend
Registration is now closed but you can still sign up for the waitlist.
Even without a conference ticket, there’s still a lot you can see and do at this year's SPAN pop-up. Visit the market to browse a curated selection of local products, books, and curios—or nab a coffee and check out the installations and demos. Open to the public: 1 November, 10:30-16:00.