Iittala has designed a unique tool that associates words with colors. You pick 8 of 31 words that best describe you and the results show what Iittala colors would best associate with your personality and values. The results may surprise you. Give it a try at Iittala.com.

Iittala released these beautiful dual-colored Aalto vases to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the remarkable Aalto vase. These Finnish vases are from one of the most prominent designers of the 20th century and select vases are currently on sale at FinnishGifts.com for 50% Off! Don’t delay as these special prices are only available through 1/31 or while supplies last.

Just a reminder that you only have two days left to take advantage of huge discounted prices on all kinds of Marimekko home goods. The Marimekko Clearance Sale runs through January 15, 2010. Don’t delay as items are selling out fast!

The semi-annual huge Marimekko Clearance Sale at FinnishGifts.com is currently going on now through January 15, 2010. FinnishGifts.com is currently offering over 100 Marimekko items priced at up to 50% off, with additional sale items added each day! Items in many categories are discounted, including popular Marimekko fabrics, handbags, bedding, bath and more. Most items are only on sale through January 15th or while supplies last so you’ll want to act fast. Shop the Marimekko Mega Sale now.

Nice use of Flash design/programming on Iittala’s website that features this year’s holiday items by the popular Finnish company. It also features a calendar that showcases one Iittala product for each day in December. Just thought it was kind of cool — some great pictures of product arrangements thrown in there. Enjoy and happy holidays!

View the Iittala holiday catalog calendar webpage.

Helsinki will be the World Design Capital of the year 2012. The designation was announced by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) at the Icsid World Design Congress 2009 in Singapore on November 25, 2009.

Altogether 46 cities from 27 countries applied for the designation. An international jury first shortlisted Helsinki and Eindhoven of the Netherlands and then awarded the designation to Helsinki after careful consideration.

Helsinki will be the third World Design Capital, following Turin (Torino, 2008) and Seoul (2010). The World Design Capital is a biennial designation given to one city at a time.

Design is a factor deep-rooted in the urban lifestyle of Helsinki. Design is manifest in the everyday lives of Helsinki citizens in many ways, ranging from home furniture and items that represent old Finnish design traditions to modern urban solutions in the city and contemporary interior design.

The creative sector is re-shaping Helsinki’s economy and enhancing the citizens’ quality of life. Design seen from a broad perspective – in city planning, architecture, industrial design and service design – plays an integral role in the development of Helsinki, city services and consumer products.

Helsinki’s World Design Capital year 2012 will comprise a wide range of events and projects related to design and its manifestations. In 2012 Helsinki will also celebrate the 200th anniversary of becoming the capital of Finland, when the country was a grand duchy of the Russian Empire.

For more information about the World Design Capital, please visit these great websites:

• World Design Capital 2012 Helsinki
• World Design Capital

One of Koskinen’s most famous works are his block lamp creations.

The new Moomin Adventure Collection by iittala Group’s Arabia Finland, brings Tove Jansson’s illustrations straight from the pages of “Moominpappa’s Memoirs,” “Finn Family Moomintroll” and “Moominsummer Madness,” onto porcelain jars, a bowl, mug and a plywood serving tray. See the entire Arabia Finland Moomin Collection.

Iittala recently posted their latest product catalog online using a neat tool by MagNet. The “Designed to be combined” titled catalog features 65+ pages of Iittala’s current product line. Everything from dishes to glass birds are shown, accompanied by many great photos and a lot of interesting information. View Iittala’s catalog.

Each year iittala Arabia releases a special edition Moomin Christmas mug. The 2009 Moomin Christmas Mug is titled, “Christmas Surprise.” The mug features colorful artwork by Arabia artist, Tove Slotte-Elevant, who dipicts a wide cast of Moomin characters out delivering presents on Christmas Eve.