Download the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 App - Via UPM BullsEye(TM) NFC Tags
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(UPM RFID, Tampere) - Global digital service design company Fjord and World Design Capital (WDC) Helsinki 2012 organization have launched a mobile application for WDC Helsinki 2012. The app 'WDC 2012', released on January 4, is a 'digital programme book' which delivers the programme and actively follows WDC Helsinki 2012 news and event updates.
Smartphone users can easily download the WDC 2012 app via NFC 'shortcuts' - the nearly 20,000 UPM BullsEye(TM) NFC tags featuring NXP Mifare UL chips, embedded in posters and stickers around the city of Helsinki and a number of locations in surrounding cities during 2012.
The WDC 2012 app is always up to date and is easy to use and carry around. It is also the first World Design Capital programme ever provided as a mobile application. In addition to current highlights and the WDC Helsinki 2012 programme sorted by time and location, users will have access to a map, a monthly calendar and information related to around 300 WDC projects and their location in Helsinki. The app is available for tourists and city residents in English, Finnish and Swedish.
For traditional downloading the app is free at the WDC Helsinki 2012 website, www.wdchelsinki2012.fi and from online application stores. It is available for Android and Nokia phones, and will be released in the near future for Apple iPhones and iPad tablets.
World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 is a platform for various participants and a joint venture between the Finnish cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen and Lahti.
The World Design Capital is an initiative by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID). Every second year, the ICSID recognizes a global city for accomplishments in using design as a tool to improve social, cultural and economic life. The first World Design Capital was Turin, Italy in 2008 and the second was Seoul, South Korea in 2010.
"It's been a great experience to design the WDC 2012 mobile application and work together with innovative partners like UPM. We wanted to create an application that is meaningful, easy to use and relevant for everyone interested in the World Design Capital and visiting Helsinki during the year. With the introduction of NFC technology, we can improve the first-time user experience and make it easier for users to get access to the application. This is a great example of digital service design, which is becoming more and more important as our everyday lives are being digitized," says Olli Mannerkoski, Managing Director, Fjord Nordics.
"World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 and Fjord have done a great job by creating such a user-friendly mobile application for Helsinki visitors. With the NFC tags providing direct shortcuts to download the app, WDC Helsinki 2012 is truly showing a strong commitment to combining technology and design. That's what WDC Helsinki 2012 really stands for - embedded design. The visitors will love it," says Mikko Nikkanen, Business Development Director, UPM RFID.
For further information, please contact:
Mr Mikko Nikkanen, Business Development Director, UPM RFID, tel. +358 400 766 979
Mr Olli Mannerkoski, CEO, Fjord Nordics, tel. +358 40 775 1977
Ms Kaija Rossi, Digital Communications Officer, World Design Capital Helsinki 2012, tel. + 358 400 923 726
About Fjord
Fjord is a leading design consultancy focusing on digital service design. There are 180 Fjord experts working across creative hubs in London, Helsinki, Berlin, Madrid, Stockholm, New York and San Francisco. Fjord is an expert in design thinking, service design, digital platforms and user-centric design. Fjord creates service solutions that work across multiple digital platforms and deliver transformational results. Fjord collaborates with clients to build real innovation into their interfaces, products and services. Fjord was founded in 2001 and is led by Olof Schybergson, CEO. Further information is available at www.fjordnet.com or on twitter via @fjord.
About WDC
Helsinki is the World Design Capital for 2012 together with Finnish cities Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen and Lahti. The objective of the World Design Capital year is to improve the daily lives and environment of the residents and to develop public services and business activities through design. The World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 year comprises about 250 independent projects, open public events and encounters with design professionals from all over the world. The World Design Capital is selected every other year. The World Design Capital is an initiative of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID). More information is available at www.wdchelsinki2012.fi.
