Helsinki (Finland) - On November 3-5 2009, Design Forum Finland will present 'Snowball / Finnish-Chinese Design Industry' in Shanghai. This event will gather together Finnish design-related companies, designers and other actors interested in the Chinese market to meet the leading names of design in China. It consists of a Finnish-Chinese design seminar with additional networking programme.

The theme of the three-day event is the present state and opportunities of the Chinese design market. At the seminar, leading Chinese design experts will speak, among other topics, of the transition of China from "the world's factory" to a country investing in design, and about features of contemporary Chinese visual culture. Speakers from Finland will present the actors and parties involved in the Finland pavilion project for World Expo 2010, Finnish design firms and companies and various cooperation projects, among other subjects of interest. Visits and networking events with local actors of the design branch will be included in the programme.

Coinciding with Snowball, Finnish design will also be on display at the same time in Shanghai in an additional programme including an exhibition of the CTRL Clothing brand in Source Gallery and an exhibition and workshop of graphic design by the Kokoro & Moi agency. The Pekka Finland illustration agency has created a live illustration presentation for a gallery venue and Durat will open its new showroom in Shanghai on 6 November.

Around thirty designers and representatives of design-related companies such as Durat, Marimekko and Metso will take part in the seminar from Finland. Several of them will be aiming at participating in World Expo 2010. From China almost 50 significant persons of the field, including representatives of fashion brands, design shops and agencies and the media will be present as keynote speakers or taking part in the seminar.
Finnish design on show in Asia
The Snowball seminar is part of a long-term process of promoting international awareness of Finnish design and its business opportunities. The objectives include establishing contacts between Finnish and Chinese actors in the field, reinforcing the business opportunities of Finnish design companies and increasing the exposure and visibility of Finnish design. The Finnish design industry will have a strong presence at Shanghai World Expo 2010 as design plays an important role in solutions related to the exhibition's theme "Better City – Better Life". In 2009 and 2010, Finnish design will be actively presented in Asia at a wide range of showings and events.

Snowball / Finnish-Chinese Design Industry event is the second part of the Snowball events for professionals in the cultural industry. The first Snowball, focusing on exports for Finnish professionals of the music industry, was held in June. The Finnish-Chinese design seminar is jointly realised by Design Forum Finland, Finpro/Finland at World Expo 2010 Shanghai China, Greater Helsinki Promotion and Lychee Productions.

Also involved in the project are the Consulate General of Finland in Shanghai and the Embassy of Finland in Beijing. Snowball / Finnish-Chinese Design Industry event is also made possible by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

For more information, please contact:

Design Forum Finland
Marketing Manager Päivi Kaira
t: +358 (0)9 6220 8115 / +348 (0)440 556 071
e: paivi.kaira@designforum.fi
w: http://designforum.fi

Finland at World EXPO 2010 Shanghai China
Producer Jani Joenniemi
t: +358 (0)400 727 241 / +86 1522 1949 053 (China)
e: jani.joenniemi@finlandatexpo2010.fi

Greater Helsinki Promotion
Communications Manager Johanna Korhonen
t: +358 (0)400 995 699
e: johanna.korhonen@helsinkibusinesshub.fi