Donald Duck's Finnish design on UPM paper

(UPM, Helsinki, 20 April 2012) – UPM has partnered with the Sanoma Magazines Finland to produce a special Design Donald Duck edition as part of the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 programme.

What is design today? Donald Duck ponders this fundamental question, which, of course, results in several funny incidents, in a special Donald Duck spring issue. Daily life in Duckburg is seamlessly combined with the history, present day and future of Finnish design in a storyline written by Finnish author and cartoonist Kari Korhonen. New characters that appear in the story alongside the citizens of Duckburg bear a close resemblance to well-known Finnish designers such as Alvar Aalto, Vuokko Nurmesniemi, Stefan Lindfors and Paola Suhonen.  

“With printed Donald Duck the reader can escape to Duckburg” says Aki Hyyppä, the editor in chief for Donald Duck Finland at Sanoma Magazines. “The purpose of reading whether it’s high literature or cartoons, is to create a physical experience, offering a break in our hectic everyday life. The added touch of high quality paper creates a feeling that can’t be compared with anything else. A cartoon collection on the book shelf is a pleasure itself”, he continues.

The special Donald Duck edition has upgraded the standard paper grade to highlight this special version. “High quality UPM Finesse was chosen to create a prestigious first impression for the cover and UPM Star matt to enhance the versatile details of the cartoons inside of the magazine“, explains Eeva-Liisa Heinaro, Sales Director, Magazine Publishers and Printers, Finland.

The Design Donald Duck is published in four languages: Finnish, Swedish, English and German. The limited edition special publication is not available through normal sales channels, but Finnish Donald Duck readers can enjoy the design story as part of the 16/2012 issue in  April.

To find out more visit the World Design Capital Helsinki website at: http://wdchelsinki2012.fi/en

For more information, please contact:
Thomas Ehrnrooth, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, tel. +358 204 150 366

UPM & design
As a frontrunner of bio and forest industry UPM takes part in design by developing new sustainable materials, which inspires architects and designers worldwide. UPM promotes sustainable construction and sees it as a key factor in creating healthy, safe and comfortable built environments in a responsible manner.

UPM is one of the main corporate partners of World Design Capital Helsinki 2012. Showcasing UPM wood products and composites the Pavilion is a unique meeting place and a key part of the official WDC Helsinki 2012 programme. The Pavilion results from a collaboration between UPM, Aalto University, Design Museum, Museum of Finnish Architecture and World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 foundation.

UPM Paper Business Group 
UPM has 23 modern and sustainable paper mills in Finland, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Austria, China and the United States. Many of them are large recycling centres and bioenergy producers, as well as paper manufacturers. UPM Paper employs nearly 14,000 people. In 2011, the business group’s net sales amounted to EUR 7.2 billion. To learn more, visit: www.upmpaper.com

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 24,000 people and it has production plants in 16 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com