Aalto’s VCD students designed the visual identity and name for the new youth center HALO
A new kind of youth street culture center, HALO, will open next fall in Havukoski, Vantaa. The City of Vantaa is renovating approximately 3,500 square meters of space for the center and will be responsible for its maintenance. The Me Foundation, which works to prevent the marginalization and inequality of children, youth, and families, is responsible for the center’s operations.
The center’s visual identity and name were developed as part of the Experiment Process course in the Visual Communication Design (VCD) program at Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture in the fall of 2025. The Me Foundation served as the client for the course, and nine student teams worked on their proposals for the future center’s visual identity.
The Me Foundation selected the proposal by the team of Alex Stöd, Malviina Lauha and Oliver Bäcksbacka as the winner. In their concept, the center’s name, HALO, is derived from the words “Havukosken Valo” (Light of Havukoski), and the visual identity is built around light as the spirit and symbol of the space.
“It felt incredible to have our work selected as the center’s visual identity. The most important and heartwarming aspect of the selection process for us was that the young people were listened to and were able to choose the concept that spoke to them most for the space being created for them”, say the members of the winning student team.
The winner was selected based on a vote by local youth, and the Me Foundation’s board also unanimously agreed that it was the best option.
“The team’s insight into light as the spirit and symbol of the center worked beautifully in harmony with the area and the center’s intended use. Over the course of the class, the team’s lighting concept evolved into a functional visual system that comes to life in different ways during the dark months than it does in the summer. The logo is clear, strong, and it also animates impressively in digital environments," says Markus Joutsela, the course instructor and head of the VCD major at Aalto University.
Collaboration benefits all parties
During the six-week process, the students applied the Double Diamond design method – a visual representation of the design and innovation process – as well as field research and interview methods. They conducted background research in Havukoski and Koivukylä, developed concepts, and tested the best proposals with local youth to ensure that the design works not only for the client but also for the center’s future users.
“The course is designed to mirror real-world design commissions. It equips students with the skills to manage creative work within the parameters set by the client’s brief,” explains Markus Joutsela. In addition to Joutsela, the teaching team included Päivi Helander and Virva Haltsonen.
“At its best, project-based learning and corporate collaboration create value for all parties: students learn workplace skills in real-world situations, clients gain fresh perspectives, and the university is able to align its teaching directly with the needs of society and the workforce,” Joutsela emphasizes.
Youth involved in the design
HALO is an activity center designed from the ground up in collaboration with young people, who have contributed their own ideas and wishes throughout the design process. No similar concept has been implemented in Finland before. At the center, young people can freely participate, try out different activities and create their own projects together with others. The facilities are suitable for activities such as dance, street basketball, skateboarding and music and art year-round.
During the creation process, Aalto’s VCD students explored the Havukoski area and got to know the young people there, discussing with them and drawing inspiration for the visual identity.
“Discussions with the young people and their ideas led us to the concept of the activity center as a kind of lighthouse that brings people together and directs toward a metaphorical light”, the young designers explain
The themes that emerged during the process are woven into the logo, where the intersecting lines in the center symbolize not only light but also coming together and meeting.
“Our message is encapsulated in the slogan Shine your light’ which encourages you to let your inner light shine. In the context of the center, this means participating in its activities and the opportunities it offers,” Stöd, Lauha, and Bäcksbacka explain.
The center will open in November 2026 at Hosantie 2, Vantaa.
For more information:
Collaboration between Aalto University and the Me Foundation:
Markus Joutsela, Program Director, Head of the Visual Communication Design Program, Aalto University, markus.joutsela@aalto.fi
The visual identity:
Students of Visual Communication Design
Alex Stöd alex.stod@aalto.fi
Malviina Lauha malviina.lauha@aalto.fi
Oliver Bäcksbacka oliver.backsbacka@aalto.fi
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