Helsinki (Finland) – The most eventful month of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 year has attracted a record number of visitors interested in design. In the first two weeks, the main events of Design September 2012 drew well over 120,000 visitors.

Helsinki Design Week, a programme of events held between 6 and 16 September, hit a record high of some 50,000 visitors in all. The largest furniture, interior decoration and design fair in Finland, Habitare, was visited by around 57,000 people between 12 and 16 September, while the main international exhibition of the WDC Helsinki 2012 year, Everyday Discoveries – International Design House Exhibition, attracted an estimated 15,000 visitors during its 11-day stay in Suvilahti.

Design September 2012 also saw the final flourish of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 Pavilion, located in the centre of Helsinki. In its final weeks, the Pavilion had thousands of visitors, with the total amount reaching approximately 80,000. The Pavilion was open from 12 May to 16 September 2012.

The busy programme of design-related events in September has also attracted media attention outside Finland. Along with members of the international media, tourists and design professionals have flocked in to experience Design September 2012.

About World Design Capital® (WDC)

While there are many awards that recognise individual accomplishments in design, the World Design Capital designation is unique as it aims to focus on the broader essence of design’s impact on urban spaces, economies and citizens. The designation provides a distinctive opportunity for cities to feature their accomplishments in attracting and promoting innovative design, as well as highlight their successes in urban revitalisation strategies.

The World Design Capital is an initiative established and managed by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. Past cities to hold the title include Torino (Italy) in 2008 and Seoul (South Korea) in 2010. The City of Helsinki (Finland) is currently implementing its programme for 2012 under the theme of Open Helsinki: Embedding Design in Life, whilst preparations for Cape Town (South Africa) are underway for 2014.
www.worlddesigncapital.com