Rain, check!
What? Kidswear by Reima
How? Founded in 1944, Reima has built their reputation on clothing that supports children’s mobility and outdoor play. The focus on functionality means waterproof fabrics, breathable materials and durable construction. This reflects a broader Nordic ethos: children should be free to explore, whatever the weather. In Finland, everyday wellbeing is often traced back to time spent outdoors, starting from early childhood.
Walk past any kindergarten in Finland on a rainy day, and you’ll see small figures in waterproof clothing or splash gear jumping in puddles and playing in the mud.
Someone ordered a smile?
Photo: Aivan
What? Delivery Robots designed by Aivan
How? Starship’s grocery delivery robots are a prime example of design that spreads joy. Rolling along Finnish sidewalks, they bring groceries straight to people’s doorsteps. Unlike some robots that can feel cold or intimidating, these ones spark delight: when they were first introduced, people snapped photos of the friendly-looking machines. To this day, pedestrians still stop to help if one gets stuck or hesitates at a busy crossing.
According to the Finnish design agency Aivan, social acceptance was a key driver in the design of the robots. They are intentionally made to look non-threatening. Their compact, rounded form and subtle expressions make them feel more like helpful companions than machines.
Child’s play
Photo: Wiitta
What? Sled and slider
How? A sled (pulkka in Finnish) or snow slider (liukuri) is more than just a plastic toy – it’s a ticket to winter fun. Found in nearly every Finnish home, these simple items turn snowy days into opportunities for movement, play and shared happiness, transforming even the smallest hill into an amusement park. And not just that: On snowy winter days, a sled pulled by a guardian is the go-to mode of transport to kindergarten for anyone under six in Finland.
For generations Finnish winter play has been shaped by classic pulkka, a simple plastic sled. Its design is straightforward, durable and affordable – qualities that reflect the Finnish belief that good design should be accessible and enhance everyday life.
Showing true colours
Photo: Marimekko
What? Lifestyle Brand Marimekko
How? Since 1951, Finnish design powerhouse Marimekko has been on a mission to bring colour and cheer to everyday life with bold prints and vibrant palettes, in both clothing and homeware. Founder Armi Ratia envisioned a brand that would celebrate individuality, optimism and freedom.
In a time when the norm was tight, form-fitting clothing for women, Marimekko introduced loose-fitting, eye-catching dresses that offered freedom of movement and expression. This wasn’t just fashion. It was a statement of liberation, especially for women stepping into new roles in society. Today, Marimekko’s bold patterns and colours are combined with Nordic minimalism in everything from tableware to textiles.
Joy on wheels
Photo: Helkama
What? Jopo bicycle
How? Jopo, short for jokaisen polkupyörä (everyone’s bicycle) was introduced in 1965 by Finnish company Helkama as a response to the growing need for a practical, everyday bicycle. It marked a radical departure from traditional bike design. With its adjustable frame, single-speed simplicity and cheerful colours, it was built to be shared, enjoyed and embraced by all ages.
Jopo bikes are manufactured in Hanko, Finland’s southernmost city, known for its sunshine. Over the decades, Jopo has become a symbol of Finnish egalitarianism and urban cheerfulness – a true everyday design icon. It remains an all-time favourite among tweens and teens, with colorful bikes lining schoolyards across the country.
Can happiness be designed?
Photo: Piercarlo Quecchia
This is the question curator Anniina Koivu set out to explore in Designing Happiness, an exhibition that premiered at Helsinki Design Week, the largest design and architecture festival in the Nordic countries.
“Happiness is difficult to define. It’s something between the deeply personal and the collective,” says Koivu.
The exhibition examines how design can trigger key hormones behind the feeling of happiness: the so-called “happiness cocktail” of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins.
So, what makes Finns top the World Happiness Report year after year? Koivu, who was born in Finland, raised in Germany, and now lives in Switzerland and Italy, has some ideas:
“In Finland, there’s a certain calmness, appreciation and acceptance of things as they are, rather than a constant drive to change them.
“I like to think it’s connected to our relationship with nature – accepting that we don’t need to dominate or master it. It’s about understanding your place as part of something bigger, whether that’s society, nature or the universe.”
By Taina Ahtela, ThisisFINLAND Magazine
