Ah, those were the days. Remember when a mobile phone could fit in a jean pocket, the battery could last four days, and you could drop the device from a height, and then drive over it with a tank, and it would still run Snake perfectly?
Nokia’s Golden Age
That’s not to say that iconic phones like the Nokia 3310 were merely utilitarian bricks either. They were considered sleek and modern-looking for the time – facets that helped change the way cell phones were seen and made them ubiquitous.
Decline and Legacy
Nokia’s failure to keep up with the emergence of the best camera phones from the likes of Apple and Samsung ultimately led to its decline, but its role in defining the design of mobile technology can’t be overlooked, which is why it’s so exciting to see plans for an online Nokia Design Archive.
The Nokia Design Archive
The Helsinki-based research school Aalto University is launching a digital repository of 20,000 items from Nokia’s glory days and beyond, from the mid-90s to 2017. We’re told there will be 959GB of materials in total and that they’ll include secret concepts and materials that haven’t been seen before, giving an insight into the company’s design process, from ideation to prototyping.
A Story of People
The focus was initially going to be on the objects themselves, but researchers say they discovered that the story of Nokia was more about the people. As such, it will also include interviews with designers.
What to Expect
The Nokia Design Archive opens on 15 January. Highlights are sure to include the legendary Nokia 3310 and the Nokia 8810 banana phone immortalised by Keanu Reaves in The Matrix. But while the Nokia Design Archive will be a trip back in time, the promise of the inclusion of unreleased concepts also suggests that it could be a glimpse at a retro future that could have been.
Conclusion
The Nokia Design Archive is a significant step in preserving the history of mobile technology and the people behind it. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how design has played a crucial role in shaping our daily lives.
FAQs
Q: What is the Nokia Design Archive?
A: The Nokia Design Archive is a digital repository of 20,000 items from Nokia’s glory days and beyond, from the mid-90s to 2017.
Q: What can I expect to see in the archive?
A: The archive will include secret concepts and materials that haven’t been seen before, giving an insight into the company’s design process, from ideation to prototyping.
Q: When does the Nokia Design Archive open?
A: The Nokia Design Archive opens on 15 January.
Q: How can I access the Nokia Design Archive?
A: You can visit Aalto University to learn more about the Nokia Design Archive and access the materials.
