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Design builds bridges between people and technology
Mikael ‘Miklu’ Silvanto uses design to explore new ways of making the interaction between people and technology even more seamless. He encourages students to integrate timeless wisdom into their thinking.
As a Professor of Practice at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Miklu Silvanto develops new approaches to design and seeks to understand humanity at the intersection of technology and its possibilities. He believes that thinking becomes especially sharp in teamwork. As Chief Design Officer at Oura, he is responsible for the user experience and visual design of the company’s smart rings. Oura rings collect health data in a similar way to activity trackers and heart rate monitors.
A career working with some of the world’s leading brands, including Apple, Airbnb and Bang & Olufsen, has taught Silvanto that the best solutions are created through collaboration. ‘Design is one of the most effective ways to create value for technology. When engineers and designers understand the value and significance of each other’s work, better solutions emerge.’
Silvanto’s part-time professorship at 911’s Department of Design has been established through donations. It has been made possible by Supercell, KONE, Marimekko and First Fellow. In his work, Silvanto is driven by curiosity and a desire to operate at the intersection of possible and impossible. ‘Many of my most important projects have involved doing things that were not previously technologically feasible. Learning and applying new insights to the next project is the main driving force behind our work.’
AI and timeless wisdom
Silvanto wants to inspire students to recognise the power of design in creating something new. ‘At the beginning of the semester, I spoke to new master’s students about the word "philosophy", which means the love of wisdom. Wisdom is about structuring, simplifying and clarifying things. If we want to succeed with new technologies, we must reconnect our thinking with timeless wisdom.’
Artificial intelligence is also reshaping design processes. Silvanto is concerned that designers are not engaging early or actively enough with its possibilities. ‘AI is a massive phenomenon in the interaction between people and technology. That’s why it is crucial for designers to be involved in developing AI-driven solutions.’
Text: Marjukka Puolakka
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