profile

About me

Jarno M. Koponen, MA (Media Lab), MA (Humanitites)
Design & Research Manager, Futurist

Working life

I’ve been working in the field of digital media as a designer and researcher for almost a decade, focusing on the design, research and branding of the interactive digital artifacts and networked environments.

In my research work, I focus on the study of the emerging forms of digital communication and interactive social realities as well as their effect on the self-reflective and self-expressive processes (e.g. personal and collective futures).

Additionally, I’ve been working with the explorative design and game concepts as well as artistic projects in varying contexts. I’ve been researching future-oriented game-like environments, social media and related phenomena at Media Lab Helsinki and Helsinki Institute for Information Technology (HIIT).

Education

In 2004 I graduated as a Master of Arts (Humanities, FM) with honors from the University of Helsinki focusing there on the studies of intellectual history, literature, philosophy and digital communication.

In 2009 I achieved my second Master of Arts degree (New Media, TaM) with honors from the University of Art & Design Helsinki. At the Media Lab Helsinki and University of Art & Design, I extended my views and insights concerning different aspects of interactive design and related fields of knowledge including media & design research, game and concept design, project management and future studies.

Download Curriculum Vitae 02/2010 (pdf)

My philosophy

Awareness is essential for inventing the future

In my design work, project management and research praxis, theory and practice are always functionally united.

I’m inspired by thinkers and doers varying from philosophers and media researchers to graffiti artists, experimental musicians and critical design professionals.

Similarly, I’m inspired by the unique possibilities of new emerging digital environments and the inter-connected nature of all cultural and social phenomena.

Creativity is simultaneously mundane and miraculous

Exploring and understanding the existing creates the basis for new unique insights and creativity. Thus I’m actively following the current development and latest proceedings of varying contemporary media environments and other cultural contexts.

My broad knowledge of different fields of culture, art and science provides unique intellectual tools and perspectives to make decisions and create solutions that are visionary yet enduring, open-minded yet comprehensible and well justified.

The knowledge about processes and their management, the understanding of the context, resources and the affecting aims and intentions ensures decisions that are based on strategic wisdom and durable thinking.