Table Talks brings together food-themed design projects: tableware designed for particular chosen places in Helsinki metropolitan area. The students utilised their knowledge of food cultures and trends in the design process.

‘A designer’s work begins with an understanding of culture and the environment. For example, when designing an everyday item such as a coffee cup it’s important to consider, along with the aesthetic properties of the object, the material, functionality, shape and structure as well as raw material sources, production technology, marketing and cultural context,’ says Lecturer Nathalie Lahdenmäki from Aalto University.

Many design projects completed at Aalto University have been related to food and drink. Interesting ideas arise when students from different cultural and study backgrounds work together. A shape or taste that is familiar to one may be completely new to another, and differences in habits can be found near and far.