Discover UPMADE in Estonia: Tradition Meets the Future in Circularity and Digital Innovation

This exclusive event is taking place for the first time in New York City, with top design leaders from Estonia. You will find out why this tiny country is now recognized as having the “most unicorns per capita in Europe” and “the most start-ups per capita in Europe,” and how it became the world’s first 100% digitally transformed society. You will hear the backstory of the startup culture where products like Skype were born, and how Estonia became the world leader in digital governance, its innovative e-Residency program, and how this is revolutionizing the creative and entrepreneurial landscape.

UPMADE in Estonia exhibition serves as a guiding light for the future of design. In today’s world, where overconsumption leads to an abundance of waste and ephemeral products, Estonia presents efficient and creative alternatives. Rooted in centuries-old traditions, Estonians have maintained a deep connection with nature and their Northern European heritage whilst creating the world’s first 99% digital society with unparalleled Government as a Service user-experience. The result is a model of sustainable environment that is a balance of ancient practices as well as future technologies. 

This exhibition showcases the innovative spirit of Estonian designers and their contribution to more sustainable world creating products that are not just durable but also integral to a circular economy, emphasizing the judicious use of resources and minimizing waste. Through their work, we see a commitment to the circular economy and fully digital governance. 

Our exploration of how Estonia´s design contributions to sustainability unfolds in five engaging sections:

Tradition and Craftsmanship: Step into a world where centuries old traditions of ancient craftsmanship intertwine with cutting-edge design. This segment pays homage to Estonia’s enduring practices, crafting products that stand the test of time. Deeply rooted in a rich heritage, Estonian design fuses traditional skills and motifs with modern sensibilities, resulting in a distinctive blend of the old and the new. Such a fusion is evident in textiles, ceramics, and woodworking, where ancient techniques are not just preserved but ingeniously adapted to contemporary aesthetics. This section celebrates the mastery of craftsmanship handed down through generations, encapsulating the essence of tradition in each piece and highlighting the timeless beauty of Estonian artistry.

Upcycling: Discover the transformative power of upcycling as Estonian designers masterfully repurpose materials, creating stunning works that challenge conventional notions of waste. As environmental consciousness rises, Estonian design pivots towards sustainability, emphasizing the ingenious repurposing of materials. This portion of the exhibition shines a light on how design breathes new life into potentially discarded items, heralding a new beginning from the end of a product’s lifecycle. Through upcycling, designers and companies strive to minimize waste, crafting durable, repairable products that make a minimal environmental footprint. This approach underscores a commitment to a circular economy, where every product is designed with its next life in mind, embodying principles of sustainability and waste reduction.

Recycling: Delve into the groundbreaking world of Estonian recycling, where waste is not an end, but a new beginning. This section delves into the innovative processes that transform waste into valuable materials, underpinning a design ecosystem focused on regeneration and sustainability. Estonian design advocates for the principle that a product’s end-of-life is as critical as its inception, with a growing emphasis on designing for disassembly. This ensures products can be effortlessly dismantled for recycling, reducing waste. At the forefront of sustainable material development, Estonian researchers and designers are pioneering smart packaging solutions and other materials that are easier to recycle, significantly lowering the environmental impact and leading the charge in ecological design solutions.

Biomaterials: Prepare to be amazed as you explore the frontier of material science through the lens of Estonian design. Highlighting adoption of cutting-edge technologies, we showcase materials designed to sidestep the waste cycle entirely. Estonian designers leverage their tech savviness to experiment with innovative production methods, giving rise to unique and often groundbreaking materials. Featured are bioplastics, natural fiber composites, and other sustainable alternatives that aim to replace traditional materials with eco-friendly options. This exploration not only emphasizes the innovative spirit of Estonian design but also marks a significant step towards sustainability and recyclability, setting new standards for environmentally conscious design.

Digital Society and Service Design: Estonia is the most advanced digital democracy in the world that works to be a leading nation of the future, sharing its learnings and supporting others. Over the last 20 years, our pioneering role in the global digital transformation has set a standard for cutting-edge digital service design and a paperless society where everyone is freed from excess bureaucracy. Through e-Residency, the first government start-up in the world, Estonia also provides a case study on what being part of a borderless and fully digital nation really means. e-Residency empowers creative entrepreneurs around the world to scale their ideas into global businesses that can be run fully remotely without administrative burden. Imagine a world where society integrates with reliable services that operate sustainably and respond in real-time to people’s changing needs and expectations. Experience a country that excels in world leading cyber security, secure digital ID system, mandatory interoperability of all systems, e-healthcare, e-tax, e-banking, i-voting and much more leading towards completely personalized governance.

Nomad Showcase is opened as pop-up shop, featuring contemporary Estonian design Exhibition showcasing graphic design celebrates cultural posters.

Don’t Miss the Opening Night on Friday, May 17, 5 pm:

Explore UPMADE in Estonia – an exhibition that bridges traditional Estonian design, where circular design principles, novel materials, and the essence of Estonian culture converge

Discover unique artifacts that celebrate traditional craftsmanship and take home a piece of Estonia from our pop-up shop

Are you looking to expand your creative endeavors into Europe? Learn about the advantages of becoming an e-Resident of Estonia and meet with industry experts who will guide you to get started on this exciting journey

Engage with thought leaders and design visionaries, including talks moderated by Surya Vanka, the Chair-Elect of the Industrial Designers Society of America, offering insights into how Estonian design can be a model for global design futures

And Mark your Calendars for More:

PARTICIPATING BRANDS: Woola, Myceen, Reet Aus, HYTI, kelpman textile, Johanna Ulfsak, Piret Loog, LUKS, LAURASAKS, Cervo Volante, SILE LUIK, K i l l u d, Heiter X, NüüD, Studio Raili Keiv, Elize Hiiop Jewellery,  Tarmo Luisk, LUM, Filaret, By Urmas Lüüs, Karlotta, Leonardo Design, Olustvere puidukoda / Mirjam ja Markus Pärnamets, Ideeklaas, Hannah Segerkrantz (Kiukivi), Margit Terasmees, IKIGI, Kärt Summatavet, Riina O, RAIKU Bio Packaging, Andres Ansper, DiMa Estonian Academy of Arts (Sandra Luks, Argo Tamm, Cärol Ott, Reet Aus), HUUM, JALG, Krista Lehari Jewellery, Kristel Kuslapuu, SJX by Juhan Soomets, Maria Rästa Design, Arro Porcelain, Elmet Treier design, Stella Soomlais studio, Radis, Straipu and Anneli Tammik. 

This event is a collaborative effort between the Estonian Association of Designers, the Estonian Academy of Art, and e-Residency. Supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Cultural Endowment, Enterprise Estonia, and the Consulate General of Estonia in New York, it showcases the collective commitment to fostering creativity and innovation. Curated by Ilona Gurjanova, President of the Estonian Association of Designers, and Reet Aus, PhD, an environmental activist, the exhibition’s layout, including cardboard furniture, is the creation of Tarmo Luisk, with the exposition table designed by Annike Kaldoja.

The Estonian Association of Designers (EAD) unites over 170 prominent Estonian designers dedicated to enhancing societal understanding of design efficiency and fostering user-friendly environments. Their initiatives include organizing competitions, seminars, workshops, and exhibitions. EAD collaborates on projects addressing circular design, inclusivity, healthcare design, cities, and design management. With a 24-year history of active engagement, they have curated exhibitions in over 20 cities. The association operates Estonian Design House stores, showcasing 120+ Estonian product designers across various categories. For 18 years, EAD has hosted the Tallinn Design Festival DISAINIÖÖ.

The Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) aims to be a leading global hub for innovation in visual culture, collaborating with over 100 partner universities worldwide.

The Sustainable Design and Material Lab (DiMa) showcases practical demonstrations of textile waste circularity, emphasizing local upcycling, industrial upcycling, and recycling methods.

More information on our Facebook page!

Project Manager: Ilona Gurjanova, edl@edl.ee

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