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In a twist of fate, a team of Aalto University researchers found themselves responsible for two decades of Nokia’s best kept design secrets. Over 20,000 design objects and 959GB of born-digital files were salvaged in 2017 when Microsoft bought the company and decided to end handset production. 

In January 2025, Aalto University launched the Nokia Design Archive, offering unique insight into the inner workings of a technology company that changed how we connect with the world. The open access digital archive was created by a team of transdisciplinary researchers to allow the general public a glimpse into their insights and discoveries. Since its launch, the online portal has captured global imagination, attracting over 250,000 visits worldwide. 

Holding a wealth of sketches, photographs, presentations, interviews and more, it spans the ‘golden era’ of a company that once laid claim to almost half the global market share in mobile phones. Visualisations and expert analysis guide visitors through over 700 curated entries, inviting them to reflect on the human labour behind technology.   

‘Nokia Design Archive champions openness and the human side of design. It reminds us to reflect, question our assumptions, and root our decisions in empirical data before taking action—as consumers, designers, and individuals navigating an increasingly accelerated world,’ says lead researcher, Professor Anna Valtonen.