News

Dean Anna Valtonen receives Ornamo gold medal

The award is a recognition of Valtonen's significant influence on the university education in design.
Dean Anna Valtonen in the Aalto Festival opening in Kiasma 2016. Photo: Mikko Raskinen.

The Finnish Association of Designers Ornamo has given gold medal to Anna Valtonen, the Vice-President and Dean of Aalto University. The Ornamo gold medal is awarded as a tribute to the valuable work done in the design industry at home or abroad.

The prize reasoning states that Valtonen has significantly contributed to the university education in the design field both in Sweden as the Rector of the Umeå Institute of Design 2009–2014 and in Finland as the Dean of Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture from 2014 on. The reasoning also underlines Valtonen's long-term efforts for raising the creative competence comprehensively into Aalto University's strategy, research and teaching. Valtonen has been a member of the Aalto University Board 2008–2014 and in several boards of companies promoting design thinking in corporate leadership.

"This recognition is pleasant news, and I think it belongs to the whole of Aalto University. At Aalto University, we believe that art and design thinking as well as diverse creative practices are central to the success of our students, the university and Finland. Creative industries are also internationally understood as an important success factor for organizations, so we are here at the forefront. We are currently building a dynamic campus area to include the creative industries in Otaniemi, and I believe its impact will reach to a large extent", says Valtonen.

Ornamo awarded, in honor of Finland's 100th anniversary, one Ornamo Sphere and two gold medals. In addition to Valtonen, the Ornamo gold medal was given to ceramist Kirsi Kivivirta. Lapuan Kankurit received the Ornamo Sphere, which is given to companies in recognition of exemplary work in design industry. Ornamo has awarded prizes for its members since 1961.

Read more:

https://www.ornamo.fi/en/article/ornamo-celebrates-achievements-lapuan-kankurit-ceramic-artist-kirsi-kivivirta-aalto-university-dean-anna-valtonen/

  • Published:
  • Updated:

Read more news

Camilla Hollanti, photo: Lasse Lecklin.
Awards and Recognition Published:

Camilla Hollanti elected as a member of Finnish Academy of Science and Letters

Camilla Hollanti leads a prominent research group on applications of algebra and number theory. The central topic of her research is to apply the methods of algebra and number theory to problems encountered in communication systems. Applications include wireless security and secure distributed computation.
Event information on a yellow to coral gradient background with yellow bubbles and a photo of a colorful event space.
Awards and Recognition, Campus, Research & Art Published:

Join us for the first Aalto Open Science Award Ceremony

All Aaltonians are welcome – no registration required!
Antony Joseph
Studies Published:

Summer School Teacher Interview: "Human-centered UX design places people at the forefront of technological advancements."

Learn how to design human-centered solutions in the Human-Centered UX Design course by Aalto University Summer School.
kukka-asetelma
Awards and Recognition Published:

More than 60 undergraduate students received a scholarship

Ilkka Kontula Foundation personal scholarships are worth 1 000 euros