Creativity in many forms

The Radical Creativity Interviews features guests like the Moomins’ creative director and Tove Jansson’s niece Sophia Jansson, film producer Max Malka, fashion designer Ervin Latimer, glass artist and designer Milla Vaahtera, and diplomat Pekka Haavisto, who talks about peace negotiations and connections between people.

The series explores what creativity is and how it appears in different people, in different fields and at different stages of life.

Episodes

Jakso 2: Ervin Latimer –  Future of Creativity 

"Finland is a design nation. We take pride in that. But the one design product we use every single day — clothing — is it even included in that appreciation?"

Ervin Latimer is a fashion designer and Professor of Practice at Aalto University. He is also one of the founding members of Ruskeat Tytöt (Brown Girls). In our Radical Creativity podcast, he shares his personal story and reflects on the constant struggle involved in building a business in the fashion industry.

He also asks whether Finland can truly call itself a design nation if fashion design is not valued. Does the world need more clothing that lacks deeper meaning? And how could Aalto University become radically more creative?

"What stands out in Ervin is a commitment to growth and to creating work that serves a community." – Emilia Hernesniemi

Episode 1: Milla Vaahtera – Creativity is the opposite of cool

Creativity is the opposite of cool. The creative person must endure nine rejections to win one victory. Creativity becomes accessible when one returns to what one has always been, since childhood. Shame is eased by telling the thing one finds shameful to as many people as possible.

All of this belongs to the creative philosophy of glass artist and designer Milla Vaahtera — and it is a philosophy each of us ought to acquaint ourselves with. It is rooted in her own profound transformation. Vaahtera first achieved success, but was living out other people's dreams. She resolved to be strange in her own way and to change course entirely. That decision led her to a creativity so genuine it is almost embarrassing. The same singular creativity also made her one of the most recognised and respected figures in her field. Something significant from Milla Vaahtera is forthcoming soon.

Vaahtera has taught creativity to children, young people, and adults alike. Now she shares the things that matter most with film director Emilia Hernesniemi, in the opening episode of the new cinematic podcast series from Aalto University's Centre for Radical Creativity.

"Ten minutes with Milla helps me remember who I am — and everything I am capable of. Not because of diligence, academic knowledge, or credentials. Something else entirely." — Emilia Hernesniemi

Director Emilia Hernesniemi

Hernesniemi is a fashion designer and award-winning documentarian. In her debut as a director she enters the world of documentary film: the work won a Jussi Award and the main prize at the Helsinki International Film Festival (Love & Anarchy), and it premiered at the Hot Docs festival in Toronto.

In the Radical creativity interview series, Hernesniemi brings her documentary gaze to discussions about creativity.

Interview series concept
PAULIINA SEPPÄLÄ & EMILIA HERNESNIEMI

Director and screenwriter
EMILIA HERNESNIEMI

Head of Aalto Centre for Radical Creativity
RIIKKA MÄKIKOSKELA

Cinematography
IRIS SJÖBLAD

Sound recording
JANNE AIRAKSINEN

Hair and make-up
JENNIFFER APPLETON

Composition
TAPIO VITASAARI

Graphic design
HANNU HIRSTIÖ
MARINA VEZIKO

Editing
EMILIA HERNESNIEMI & MILLA RAJAKALLIO

Project production
EMILIA HERNESNIEMI

Documentary film production
ILONA MALINEN, NITA REHTONEN, MILLA KOKKO &
KIMMO SYVÄRI

AALTO UNIVERSITY 2026