Nokia Design Archive

Aalto University in Helsinki has announced the launch of the Nokia Design Archive, an extensive online repository showcasing the pioneering design history of the iconic Finnish mobile phone manufacturer. The archive, set to go live on January 15th, 2025, will offer free access to over 20,000 items spanning the early 1990s to 2017, including unseen sketches, prototypes, marketing materials, and consumer technology concepts.

This digital collection reveals Nokia’s innovative contributions to mobile technology during its golden era, featuring legendary designs like the “brick phone” and the “banana phone.” Curated with input from designers, historians, and researchers, the archive highlights the bold aesthetic and utopian ideals that shaped Nokia’s influence on global connectivity.

Kaisu Savola, a postdoctoral researcher at Aalto University, noted that Nokia held a similar cultural and technological significance in the 1990s as Apple or Samsung do today. “Technology doesn’t just shape us; we shape technology,” Savola emphasized, reflecting on Nokia’s role in shaping the mobile revolution.

Licensed from Microsoft Mobile, the archive represents 959GB of data, offering a deep dive into the design processes and creative spirit that defined Nokia’s dominance. With its mix of iconic devices and forward-thinking ideals, the archive invites users to explore how Nokia bridged design and technology in a pre-social media world.

The Nokia Design Archive will be accessible through Aalto University’s website, providing a unique glimpse into a transformative period in tech history.