As part of my master’s studies, I participated in PatternLab ‘18, the annual textile and surface design project in Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. This year, our group of designers sold over ten percent of our collection. We had abundant sales with our loyal customers in the domestic market as well as strong sales at the largest international trade fair for home and contract textiles, the Heimtextil fair in Frankfurt, Germany.

“The work that has been done over the years has now really begun to bear fruit. Especially the decision to strengthen the PatternLab brand among consumers a couple of years ago has been a really good solution. Sales were great last year, but this year we have sold over 50 items in a very short time. It is a great achievement for this freelance designers’ collection”, rejoices Adjunct Professor Maarit Salolainen from Aalto University.

In PatternLab we create a large, professional surface design collection. During the year-long project, the participating students are thoroughly taught the procedural craft of designing and coordinating surface designs for various application areas. We learn how to work as a team, creating commercial designs in a real business environment for domestic and international clients.

The surface design project is supervised by Maarit Salolainen and lecturer Maija Fagerlund. It is a Department of Design Minor organized by the MA program for Fashion, Clothing and Textile Design. The participating students are from across the various programs in Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture.

“We are really proud of ourselves! We have acquired a tremendous number of new customers with pure hard work. Every group member has taken responsibility for acquiring new customers and arranging sales meetings. It has been a collective effort made with great sense of togetherness and positive mindset”, expresses Eveliina Netti, the Chair of PatternLab ‘18.

For over fifteen years, PatternLab has assisted many prominent surface designers, collectives and companies kick start their careers. PatternLab has been progressively cultivating its brand since 1999 with the joint effort of over two-hundred design students.

PatternLab ‘18

To learn more about PatternLab, be sure to visit us at www.patternlab.fi and follow us on Instagram @pattern.lab

Greetings,
Angela