Curriculum Vitae 20250117
Helena Hyvönen
Anja Kirsti Helena Hyvönen, née Vatanen
Degree
MA in Textile Art, University of Art, and Design Helsinki, since 2010 Aalto University 1974
Studies
Pedagogical qualification training, FWK / AKH, Hämeenlinna 1983
Approbatur course in Pedagogy, Turku Summer University, Turku 1979
Matriculation examination, Arts High School, Savonlinna 1970
Language Skills
Finnish (mother tang), Swedish, English, German
Workplace training
University of Art and Design Helsinki /Aalto University School of Art and Design
Art pedagogy, supervisory and managerial training
Presentation skills in English 1998-2010
Membership in professional organizations
Finnish Association of Designers, Ornamo 1974-
Association of Finnish Textile Designers 1974-
Honorary member of Ornamo 2012-
Honorary member of Texo ry 2012-
Finnish Union of University Professors 1999-2015
Employment
Adjunct Professor, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs until 2018, Donghua University,
Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation 2015-2019
Visiting professor, Guangdong University of Technology, School of Art and Design,
Guangzhou, China 2014
Professor of Textile Art, Rector (2008-2010), Dean (2010-2014) University of Art and
Design Helsinki/Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture 1998-2015
Industrial textile design work and management: Valvilla Oy, Sellgren-Tekstiles Ltd 1984–2000
Åbo Hemslöjdslärarinstitut, Craft College, lecturer, Turku 1975-1984
Lainnon Kutomo, designer, Turku 1973-1974
Gugelmann AG, trainee, Langenthal, Switzerland 1972
Entrepreneurial activities
SCF – Hyde Master Studio, Go-founder, Shanghai, China 2018-2019
Hyvonen Design, Go Founder, Helsinki 2017-
Hydestudiot Oy, Founder, Turku 1997-2006
Collaborative projects
Advanced Training Centre, University of Turku, consultant 1992
Finlayson Nonstoppers, Ikaalinen, sportswear fabrics, designer 1993
Turku Fair, Turku, design of the Väritrendit -94 (ColourTrends '94) exhibition designer 1994
Valmet Automotive Oy, upholstery fabric for a concept car, designer 1997
The Finnish Crafts Organization, Taito tuottamaan (Profiting from Skill)
project partner 1997-2000
Domiset Oy, colour scheme design, consulting 1997-2005
Helmi Vuorelma Oy, design, Consulting 1997–2003
Nappaleder Oy, colour scheme, designer 1997
Barker Design, colour and pattern design, designer 1997-1999
South Karelia Crafts and Applied Art Association, linen products collection design 1997
VALO-Nordic Light, export product range group, partner and designer 1998-2000
Friends of Finnish Handicraft, 120th anniversary tablecloth design, designer 1998
Linum project, Wetterhoff School of Applied Arts, collection coordination 2001
Innocraft project, collection coordination, designer 2002
WM-Carpet, development of a carpet for public spaces and traffic, Tekes
(Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation) funded project, partner 2003-2004
University related projects in Finland
Louhi project, adviser and participant, Sustainable Textile Design project with
Finnish Middle Size Companies funded by EU-ESR funding 1998-2000
FutureTextiles development project with the weaving company, the Head
Backhausen, Austria 2005-2007
ReFu, Founder and Head, Remembering the Future, EU-funded education
development project with Estonian Academy of Art and
Design Academy Eindhoven, the Netherlands 2003-2005
Lens, The Head, Product-Service System Design for Sustainability,
EU-funded AsiaLink project 2006-2009
EDII, the Head of the Secretary hosted by Aalto University,
European Design Innovation Initiative –project of European Commission 2010-2012
Awards and prizes and distinctions
Doctor Honoris Causa of Arts, Aalto University, School of Arts,
Design and Architecture 2019
Magnolia Silver Award, Shanghai City Government, China 2016
Honorary member of Student Union Tokyo, Aalto University,
School of Arts, Design and Architecture 2013
Golden Decoration of Knight, Art and Graft Council Finland 2013
Honorary member of Texo ry, textile Designer`s Association 2012
Honorary member of Designer`s Association Ornamo 2012
Decoration of Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland 2010
Musashino Art University Fellow, Tokyo 2009
Faculty member of the year chosen by the Tokyo Student Union of the
University of Art and Design Helsinki 2007
Five-year artist grant, Finnish State Design Council 1998
Textile Artist of the Year, nominated by Texo ry, Textile Designers' Association 1997
Culture Prize of the City of Kaarina 1997
Design Forum Finland, nomination for Top Ten of the Habitare Fair of the textile
collection of Sellgren Textiles 1997
Grant from the Teva Fund of the Federation of Finnish Textiles and
Clothing Industries 1997
Southwest Finland Fund of the Finnish Cultural Foundation, grant 1996
Alfred Kordelin Foundation, grant 1996
City of Turku, project grant 1992
Arts Council of Finland, one-year artist grant 1989
Arts Council of Finland, project grant 1982
Goethe Institute, book illustration competition, first Prize 1969
Group exhibition
TAIDEVARKAUS60+, Museum Varkaus 2018
Opening exhibition, Design Forum Finland, Helsinki 1991
Art Textile Triennale Texo, Tampere Art Museum 1991
Minitekstiili, Texo, Galleria Julius Helsinki, Tampere Art Museum 1984, 86
Metri exhibitions, Taidetalo, Amer Gallery, Design Museum, Helsinki 1981, 86, 91, 94
Filare, 5 tekstiilitaiteilijaa, Alvar Aalto Museum, Jyväskylä 1983
Finnish Textile Art, Fiorenzuola, Italy 1981
Finland Designs, Design Museum, Helsinki 1980, 81, 83
Solo exhibition
Paljon kankaita – Lots of Cloth, Textile Artist of Year 1997, Cable Factory, Helsinki 1997
Made in Finland, with Liisa Kotilainen, Verkaranta, Tampere 1992
Art textile works for public spaces and venues
Church textiles: Tuira Church Oulu, Juva Church, Saint Henry Church Turku,
Laune Church Lahti, Kaarina Church, Maaria Church Turku 1992- 2007
Archdiocesan Chapter of Turku, textile piece 2001
Cope for Bishop of Turku 2002, 2018
Artworks purchased by Stockholm County, City of Turku 1983, 1985
Industrial design projects for public spaces and venues
University of Art and Design, Helsinki 2001
Helsinki School of Economics, Helsinki 1999
Hotel Aulanko, Hämeenlinna 1998
Turku Surgical Hospital, Turku 1997
Kouvola City Hall 1997
Waenerberg House, Oulu 1997
Mikkeli Theatre, Mikkeli 1997
Vuosaari, Rastis Training Centre, Vuosaari, Helsinki 1997
Pappilanpelto primary school, Vihti 1994
Pori Central Hospital, Pori 1994
Turku Conservatory of Music, Turku 1994
Tuira congregation centre, Oulu 1992
Positions of trust
Member of the Honorary Advisory Committee of Aalto University Student Union, AYY 2016-2021
Member of the Board of Finnish Society of Crafts and Design Centennial Foundation 2014-
Vice-chairperson of the Board of the International Design Foundation (WDC12) 2010-2012
WDC10 Seoul, International Advisory Council Member 2009-2010
Chair, Culture Subcommittee for Culture, Finnish Country Brand Committee 2008-2010
Finnish Country Brand Committee, Subcommittee for Culture, chair 2008-2010
Turku 2011, European Capital of Culture, Vice Chair of the representative body 2008-2010
Board of Governors of Design Museum, Helsinki 2003-2006
Member of the National Council for Design (Arts Council of Finland) 2001-2006
Board of Representatives, Finnish Association of Designers, Ornamo 1985-88, 92, 93
Work in judging competitions and prizes
Upstyle Award, Fashion and Lifestyle design Competition, Shanghai, China 2017
Sunbird Cup, Sichuan-Taiwan Industrial Design Awards, Chengdu, China, Chair 2017
Campus2015, Otaniemi Campus architecture competition, Chair 2012-2013
Kaj Frank Design Prize, Design Forum Finland 2004–2012
Finndesign Now, Design Forum Finland, Chair. 2002
Tekstil fremtid; Norwegian textile art anniversary exhibition, Oslo 2001
Publications and writings, as co-writer, chair, or member of committees
(non- academic papers)
Articles in books
Pro Arte Utili, Multidisciplinary Collaboration for Success, Hyvönen et al. 2021
Exhibition catalogue, TAIDEVARKAUS60+, Museum Varkaus 2018
Service Design: Palvelumuotoilu saapuu verkostojen kaupunkiin - Verkosto- ja
muotoilunäkökulmia kaupungin palvelujenkehittämiseen: Mattelmäki et al. 2015
Lens, Product-Service System Design for Sustainability, Creative Sustainability,
The role of (design) education; Hyvönen, Saarela, Marttila 2014
WDC Seoul, World Design Cities Summit 2010
Tulevaisuus on saavutettava – The Future Can Be Achieved, National Institute
of Health and Welfare, former Stakes, the Finnish DfA network 2009
Kutomon tuotanto, publication project of the Taito Crafts Organization, Finland 1999
Contemporary Textile Art, Charles S. Talley, Carmina, Featuring the textile piece,
Turn to the Next Page 1982
Magazines, exhibition catalogues
Editor in chief of Arttu magazine 2008-2011
Editorial (in Finnish), Ornamo -tiedote 6/2007 2007
Tekstiililehti, VivaTeva 2003
Tekstil fremtid; Norske tekstil- og konfeksjonsdesignere, anniversary
exhibition catalogue, Oslo 2001
Conference presentations
WDCC2024, World Design Capital conference, Tonji University,
Roundtable Discussion 2024
“A visionary start”, Fashion Conference, CAA School of Fashion
Roundtable Discussion 2024
Re Design Basics Conference, CAA Basic Education, opening speech and keynote 2024
Design Resilience conference, CAA School of Industrial Design, opening speech,
Roundtable discussion 2024
Seminar presentations in Shanghai, during Shanghai Fashion Week and
other events of Design and Education, 1-2 /year 2015-2019
International Forum of Integrated Innovation and
Sustainable Design & the 19th China, Beijing 2024
Industrial Design Conference, Guangzhou, China 2014
Round Table / Cultural and Creative industries (EU_CCI) in Europe, Brussels 2013
Summit, Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan, Stockholm, Sweden 2012
Radical Design Week, Shanghai 2012
Donghua Fashion Week, Donghua University, Shanghai 2011
LenS Conference, Bangalore, India 2010
WDC10 Seoul, World design Cities Summit 2010
Rectors` Summit, Musashino Art University, Tokyo 2009
Stieglitz School of Art and Design, St Petersburg 2009
Design Seminar, Tsinghua University 2009
Architecture and Design Seminar, St. Petersburg 2009
Welsh Higher Education Conference, Brussels 2009
Design Olympiad, Seoul 2008
Design – Business, Networking Initiative Finland – Sachsen, Dresden 2008
Design Seminar, Incha University, Incheon 2008
DesignMai; Digitalability seminar, Berlin 2007
Functional Textiles, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 2006
Entry06, Functional textiles, Essen 2006
Cumulus, Conclusion, Singapore 2006
Futextile, Finnish Cultural Centre, Berlin 2005
Consultant expert
Edinburgh University, Reference for Dr Mal Burkinshaw for award
of the title Personal Chair 2024
Evaluation of Member of department recruitment committee for full professor
evaluation for Associate Professor Maarit Mäkelä. 2022-2023
Evaluation of two Exhibitions as part of Doctoral dissertation work of
Laura Laivamaa, University of Lapland, Rovaniemi and Posio 2021-2022
Member of department recruitment committee for Fashion Design Professor
(Practice), Department of Design, Aalto University,
School of Arts, Design and Architecture 2020-2021
WDC Concept /University-level cooperation, Bilbao 2010
Evaluation of professorship candidates, Oslo National Academy of the Arts, 2001- 2007
University College of Arts, Crafts and Design, Stockholm, Estonian Academy of Art,
Tallinn and Borås Textile College, Borås, Sweden
Administrative and development work at the University of Art and Design
Helsinki /Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee for Art, Design and Architecture 2012-2014
Head of the artistic activities, outcomes in Aalto University 2011-2014
Preparation of briefs for design/art competitions 2009-2014
Chair of the Academic Affairs Committee for Art and Design 2010-2011
Chair of the Board of Support Foundation of the University
of Art and Design Helsinki / Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture 2008-2014
Chair of the Innovation University teaching theme council 2008
Deputy member of the Teaching Council 2005-2009
Chair of the board of the Muova research and product development centre, Vaasa 2006-2008
New salary system implementation executive group 2004-2005
Working hours monitoring planning group 2004-2005
Virtual university advisory committee 2001-2003
Board of Governors 2001-2009
Chair of Degrees Committee, evaluation of Riitta Nelimarka's doctoral thesis 2001
Executive Board 2000-2008
Positions of responsibility conferred by the Aalto University
Chair of the committee for preparing the AAD/UUSI KOULU new school initiative 2011
Member of AATU, vice rectors and deans’ team 2011-2014
Head of the WDC12, Helsinki World Design Capital 2012, project 2010-2014
Member of the Presidents Management Team 2010-2014
Member of the executive group of Aalto Executive Team 2010-2014
Visual image steering group 2009-2014
Aalto Leaders Dialogue, member 2009-2014
Media presence in expert capacities during the years
as Rector of University of Art and Design and
Dean of School of Arts, Design and Architecture 2008 -2014
Approximately 110 newspaper and magazine interviews,
20 radio interviews and
8 television interviews/programmes in
Finland, Sweden, Korea, China and Croatia
