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Nokia has partnered with Finland's Aalto University to launch the Nokia Design Archive

In a groundbreaking initiative that bridges history, technology, and design, Nokia has partnered with Finland's Aalto University to launch the Nokia Design Archive. This ambitious project aims to preserve and showcase over two decades of design evolution from one of the most iconic mobile phone manufacturers in history.

By offering an extensive digital collection of sketches, prototypes, and final products, the archive provides an unprecedented look at Nokia’s innovative design language from the mid-1990s to 2017.

"Mango phone" (Nokia 7600) surrounded by designer Tej Chauhan's sketches. Aleksi Poutanen / Aalto University 2024

Selection of Nokia mobile handsets from the Archive including unseen prototypes. Aleksi Poutanen / Aalto University 2024

The Nokia Design Archive is an expansive repository containing more than 700 curated entries, including conceptual models, marketing materials, and product designs. This initiative is more than just a historical retrospective; it serves as an educational resource and a testament to the company’s influence on mobile technology. The archive captures the evolution of mobile aesthetics and functionality, revealing how Nokia continuously redefined user experience through groundbreaking designs.

Among the featured devices are classics like the Nokia 3310, known for its near-indestructible build and long battery life, and the Nokia 8810, often referred to as the ‘banana phone’ due to its curved sliding cover. These models, along with numerous lesser-known but equally compelling designs, underscore the company's foresight in blending aesthetics, ergonomics, and cutting-edge technology.

Pocket watch design for the 2002 film Minority Report. Aleksi Poutanen / Aalto University 2024

The Nokia 7373 released 2006. Aleksi Poutanen / Aalto University 2024

What sets the Nokia Design Archive apart is its detailed look into the design process, offering insight into the ideation and experimentation behind each device. The archive showcases sketches, early-stage concepts, and marketing strategies that led to the creation of some of the world’s most beloved mobile devices.

The digital collection highlights how Nokia’s designers were consistently ahead of their time. Some of the prototypes and conceptual ideas foreshadowed technological advancements that would later become mainstream, including augmented reality, wearable health technology, and QR codes. These glimpses into the past serve as a reminder of how design thinking can influence and shape technological innovation.

One of the key takeaways from the Nokia Design Archive is the importance of fostering a culture of experimentation. Anna Valtonen, a leading researcher on the project and former head of design research and foresight at Nokia, emphasizes that the archive reflects an era when creativity and risk-taking were encouraged.

"The material shows how important it is to have an organizational culture where it’s okay to try things out and enjoy the process. Especially in these times of change, it is important to understand how we can grasp the world around us and imagine what we could be," says Valtonen.

This emphasis on creative exploration is evident in Nokia’s legacy. While some of their most ambitious projects never made it to market, they provided valuable insights that continue to inform modern design and innovation strategies.

Beyond aesthetics and usability, the Nokia Design Archive also sheds light on the social responsibility embedded in the company’s design ethos. Michel Nader Sayun, a researcher at Aalto’s Department of Management Studies, reflects on the deeper implications of the archive:

"The Nokia Design Archive reminds us that activism, social responsibility, and values exist in designers — and they’ve existed forever. Design is not just about making products look good; it’s about shaping experiences, accessibility, and ethical innovation.”

Handmade model, 1990s. Nokia Design Archive, Aalto University Archives

Anna Valtonen (designer), 3rd Generation Mobile Concept Rendering, 1998, Nokia Design Archive, Aalto University Archives.

HumanForm concept models, 2011. Nokia Design Archives, Aalto University Archives

Responder sketch, 1994/5. Responder was an early project name for what was to become the first Nokia Communicator, released in 1996. Nokia Design Archive, Aalto University Archives.

Nokia was one of the first mobile phone manufacturers to prioritize sustainability, exploring ways to create more eco-friendly devices and minimize electronic waste long before it became a mainstream concern. The archive includes early concepts for biodegradable materials and energy-efficient designs, highlighting the company's commitment to responsible design practices.

The Nokia Design Archive is more than just a nostalgic look at the past—it is a tool for future designers, researchers, and technologists. By making these resources globally accessible, Aalto University and Nokia hope to inspire a new generation of innovators to learn from past successes and failures.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the importance of human-centered design remains paramount. The Nokia Design Archive serves as a beacon for those looking to understand how thoughtful, user-focused design can impact the world. Whether it’s reimagining mobile interfaces, exploring new materials, or developing more sustainable technology, the lessons from Nokia’s design journey remain profoundly relevant today.

The archive officially opens for public access on January 15, 2025 (you can access by clicking here) offering designers, technology enthusiasts, and historians an invaluable glimpse into one of the most influential design legacies in the history of mobile communication.

Through the Nokia Design Archive, Aalto University and Nokia are not just preserving history; they are shaping the future of design by celebrating the past. In an age of rapid technological change, this initiative reminds us that innovation is not just about what comes next, but also about understanding the creative processes that got us here.