2025
Muovaaja 2025 1/25 Influence
Influence is visible not only in politics but also in the everyday means by which we achieve our desired outcomes. The EU’s efforts toward a sustainable economy are reflected in our solutions for the bioeconomy, circular economy, and inclusive working life and education. Design is an effective way to strengthen market positions — examples include the orchestration of innovation ecosystems and energy efficiency services. Artificial intelligence is reshaping the balance of power and responsibility — a topic we also explore in this issue. So take Muovaaja as your summer reading and be inspired by timely themes of influence!
Orchestration in the Early Stages of an Innovation Ecosystem
The fourth episode of the MUOVA Podcast delves into orchestration in the early stages of an innovation ecosystem. The guest is Charlotta Risku, Innovation and Sustainability Director at Mirka and Coordinator of the SHAPE ecosystem, with MUOVA’s Project Manager Jari Ratilainen as the host.
Key Cross-Cutting Competencies of Researchers
Survey on the Utilization of Solar Energy in Six European Countries
The aim of this preliminary study is to identify the key cross-cutting competencies of researchers, particularly in the field of solar energy utilization, across six European countries — Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Ukraine, and Switzerland. The study was conducted as part of the APPROACH project, funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe research program. The publication is in English.
2024
Strategies for Personal and Career Development
In this workshop, we will explore strategies for personal and career development. The workshop is part of the international training for early-stage researchers and talents under the APPROACH project. The publication was originally produced in English.
Muovaaja 2025 2/24 Collaboration
The conclusion of 2024 culminates in the second issue of Muovaaja, whose theme is collaboration and its importance in a rapidly changing operating environment. Developing innovations, using resources more efficiently, and leveraging new technologies require interdisciplinary cooperation. In this issue, we explore how collaboration can promote business competitiveness and the development of sustainable solutions.
Muovaaja 2024 1/24 Readiness
Geopolitical tensions, constant change, and the shift from green to clean energy challenge the beginning of 2024. Post-pandemic remote workers and the AI revolution push us to prepare for the future. In Muovaaja, the IntoAction project provides entrepreneurial skills and controlled experiments to help us respond to changes. The AI2Business and Charlie projects highlight the benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence, while Enertelligence focuses on human-centered energy efficiency. Callboats’ solar-powered boats and the DesignPSS project develop sustainable system solutions. The Summer 2024 issue of Muovaaja 1/24 offers answers and inspiration for turbulent times. Read the latest issue now and get ready!
2023
Muovaaja 2023 2/23 Humanity
2|2023 Muovaaja magazine focuses on the theme of humanity, highlighting the need for genuine human-centered engagement as the world faces the shadows of pandemics, war, and climate change. The magazine emphasizes the role of people at the heart of design, underlining the importance of human perspectives in planning and service design across various fields. The articles illustrate how design has been applied in industry, services for the elderly, and the development of small businesses, as well as in promoting entrepreneurship with a human-centered approach.
Muovaaja 2023 2/23 Humanity
Suvi Alavenna is a knitwear designer studying craft science at the University of Helsinki. In a digital expert talk for the Nova JOTPA project, Alavenna shares her thoughts on how to turn one’s passion into a profession. The video was produced as part of the Nova JOTPA project, funded by the Funding Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment.
Sustainable Design
The Muova Design Center podcast series explores current and interesting topics, trends, and changes in design, covering various perspectives from service design, industrial design, and business design. This episode focuses on sustainable design and the designer’s role in implementing sustainability and business practices.
Design and Mechanics
In the video podcast episode on the theme of Design and Mechanics, topics such as additive manufacturing and 3D printing are explored.
The Transformation of Design
In Muova’s first video podcast episode, the discussion focuses on the transformation of design.
ECO-BOAT – Harbor 2.0 – Product-Service System Demonstration
Harbor 2.0 is a demonstration of a future service business environment based on the circular economy. The services within this environment promote a green transition in boating and increase sustainable operational volume. Services designed around the user reflect future consumer needs and business opportunities.
ECO BOAT – Mold – 3D Printable Demonstration
The 3D-printed mold demonstration addresses a question arising from the boating industry: How can production processes leverage additive manufacturing and biocomposites?
ECO BOAT – Seat – 3D Printable Demonstration
The 3D-printed seat demonstration illustrates large-scale printing as a method for direct product manufacturing.
R2M Reaching the Target Audience
The goal is to increase sales of existing products and services to current target audiences. Focus: Accuracy and efficiency of marketing. Focus: Creating and testing a new solution in the market.
R2M Defining a New Solution
Defining a new solution. The goal is to direct new products and services to new markets. Focus: Creating and testing a new solution in the market.
R2M Updating the Core Brand Message
The goal is to develop new products and services for existing markets. Focus: Updating the company’s offerings and brand.
R2M Strengthening Customer Understanding
The goal is to target a new audience with existing products and services. Focus: Understanding the needs, desires, and behavior of the target audience.
Understanding and Developing Digital Employee Experiences
This is the final report of the DEX Skills project, addressing various aspects of the digital employee experience. It covers both organizational and personal perspectives, as well as the digital skills needed in everyday work. The report also discusses digital technologies that are relevant now and in the near future. Its aim is to support the development of softer digital skills that are important for all knowledge workers.
KIITO Tool – Tips for the Innovation Journey of Micro and SME Companies
Agile Market-Driven Development
This guide includes the KIITO tool developed in the React2Market project, which supports the everyday innovation activities of companies and provides guidance for operating in a rapidly changing environment. The KIITO tool offers practical and easily applicable tips for agile, market-driven development. It helps companies identify changes in their operating environment, build market understanding, apply knowledge in innovation activities, test solutions, and communicate in the market. Using the tool, companies can create their own learning path, consisting of quick learning sprints integrated into their daily operations.
Greening Boating: Report on the Results of the Boater Survey and Boating Trend Analysis
This report presents the results of the boater survey and boating trend analysis conducted in 2022 as part of the ECOBOAT project. Its aim is to share information with stakeholders in the boating industry about changing boater preferences, needs, and habits. In particular, the report seeks to provide answers to how environmentally friendly behavior is reflected in boating today and in the future.
Webinar: Online Stores and Payment Services
The Digimagia project webinar discusses building and maintaining online stores as well as the possibilities of payment services. The session highlights the online store platform Vilkas and the payment service MobilePay. Speakers: Joel Lappalainen, MobilePay, and Markus Lehtinen, Vilkas Oy. The video series was produced as part of the ESF-funded Digimagia project.
Muovaaja 1/23
New frontiers, shared security, and expertise for exports – the latest Muovaaja showcases the bold actions demanded by today’s times. More creative, larger, greener, and more efficient approaches fit Ostrobothnia perfectly. The requirements are high, but companies are ready. Featured examples include Paaluperustaja’s solar panels, UPM’s 3D-printable biomaterial, AJ-Bike’s innovation, and Automatin’s automatic roller.
Learning Design Method Cards – Marianne Laurila
This work is intended to support learning design, especially for university of applied sciences instructors in planning and developing online courses. Today, online education has become an essential part of a teacher’s work. It enables students to follow individual learning paths and allows flexible learning regardless of time and place. It also makes it possible to reach a wide audience of participants. High-quality online courses offer great benefits for learning, but their creation is a relatively time-consuming process and requires systematic design of the learning process.
Webinar: Technologies and Tools for Co-Development
The Digimagia project webinar discusses technologies and tools for co-development. The session highlights Howspace, Slack, and Miro Board. Speakers: Kenneth Norrgård, part-time lecturer at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences; Miikka Lyytikäinen, serial entrepreneur in the gaming industry, CEO and shareholder; and Miia Lammi, Development Manager at MUOVA Design Center, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences. The video series was produced as part of the ESF-funded Digimagia project.
Webinar: Gamification and Interaction on Digital Platforms
The Digimagia project webinar presents various gamification methods that entrepreneurs can apply in their own operations. Speaker: Jaakko Kemppainen, gaming industry professional, Game Art Regional Artist 2019–2023, producer, programmer, entrepreneur, author, researcher, and curator. The video series was produced as part of the ESF-funded Digimagia project.
Webinar: Digital Platforms – Discord & ThingLink
The Digimagia project webinar explores digital platforms and their possibilities for creative entrepreneurs, focusing on Discord and ThingLink. Speakers: Sako Salovaara, founder of Kayak Games and Rus0 Games and Product Manager at Black Smoke Studio, and Jussi Loukiainen, founder and CEO of Platonic Partnership. The video series was produced as part of the ESF-funded Digimagia project.
Webinar: Experiential Content Creation on Digital Platforms
The Digimagia project webinar explores experiential content creation on digital platforms. Speaker: Wanda O Rly, science communicator and performing artist. The video series was produced as part of the ESF-funded Digimagia project.
Digimagia Project ITK Presentation 2023
The Digimagia project staff members Petri Katajarinne, Markus Suomi, and Miia Lammi share their experiences at the annual ITK conference, held on April 19–21 in Hämeenlinna. The video series was produced as part of the ESF-funded Digimagia project.
Service Design Method: Embodied Thinking
The Digimagia project presentation describes how embodied thinking can be used to test service concepts, strategic directions, and future opportunities. The project aims to enhance the earning potential and operational capabilities of cultural and arts organizations through digitalization and service design. Speaker: Miia Lammi, Development Manager at MUOVA Design Center, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences. The video series was produced as part of the ESF-funded Digimagia project.
Service Design Method: Service Concept
The Digimagia project presentation covers the components of a service concept and considers how they can be applied in business development. The project aims to enhance the earning potential and operational capabilities of cultural and arts organizations through digitalization and service design. Speaker: Miia Lammi, Development Manager at MUOVA Design Center, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences. The video series was produced as part of the ESF-funded Digimagia project.
Service Design Method: Strategic Goal Setting
The Digimagia project presentation explains the components of a strategic goal and considers how it can connect the user’s world, digital opportunities, and the entrepreneur’s own objectives into a unified whole. The project aims to enhance the earning potential and operational capabilities of cultural and arts organizations through digitalization and service design. Speaker: Anu Norrgrann, Project Manager at MUOVA Design Center, Vaasa University of Applied Sciences. The video series was produced as part of the ESF-funded Digimagia project.
Service Design Method: Concepts and Models
Digital Future: Digital Service Design in the Creative Industries
Service Design Method: Experiments
Service Design Method: Co-Development
Service Design Method: Design Drivers
Service Design Method: Framing in Co-Development
Digital Innovations at the Interfaces of Different Sectors
Service Design Method: Paper Prototype
Service Design Method: Analogies
Service Design Method: Goal Visualization
Service Design Method: Competitor Analysis
Digital Technologies as Service Platforms
Digital Service Experiences
Service Design Method: Prototyping
Service Design Method: Service Journey
Service Design Method: User Persona
Service Design Method: Observation
Purposeful Use of Social Media
Service Design with the Double Diamond
What is a service?
The Transformation of Design
2022
2/2022 Muovaaja -Turning Point
The year 2022 feels like a turning point, with no return to the past. The COVID era taught us the concept of a new normal, and it seems we will apply it across many areas of life and business. We explore these turning points in the second issue of Muovaaja this year.
