Today, 20 March 2012, the vernal equinox in the Northern hemisphere marks the arrival of spring, while in the Southern hemisphere, the equinox welcomes fall. Google celebrates this change of seasons around the globe today with Marimekko designed First Day of Spring and Fall doodles - in a year, when Marimekko's hometown Helsinki sits at the forefront of the worldwide design discussion. The logos are the first international Google doodles that are created by a Finnish designer.
"We are thrilled about this creative collaboration that got started when Google Vice President Marissa Mayer visited our textile printing factory in Helsinki. Marimekko design is all about understanding the beauty of life just as we encounter it every day - celebrating everyday moments and the special characteristics and nuances of the different seasons. Thus, with the First Day of Spring and Fall doodles, we want to inspire people to free their own creativity and have fun with it - every day and each season," says Mika Ihamuotila, President and CEO of Marimekko.
The playful Marimekko doodles form the Google logo with a joyful interplay of elements of iconic Marimekko printed textiles by eight renowned designers: Maija Isola, Kristina Isola, Erja Hirvi, Maija Louekari, Aino-Maija Metsola, Teresa Moorhouse, Jenni Tuominen and Katsuji Wakisaka.
Google has a long tradition of using different versions of its logo; the first doodle was published in 1998. Since 2000, the tradition has been ongoing. Over 1,000 doodles have been published around the world so far.
More information about the history of Google doodles and the team designing them, as well as pictures of doodles made can be found at www.google.com/doodles/about .
MARIMEKKO CORPORATION
Marketing Communications
Tiina Alahuhta-Kasko
Acting Marketing
Director, Head of PR
Tel. +358 9 758 7328
tiina.alahuhta-kasko@mari
mekko.fi
Maarit Heikkilä
PR Manager
Tel. +358 9 758 7321
maarit.heikkila@marimekko
.fi
Vaikutustoimisto Freud Oy
Timo Nurmi
Tel. +358 50 3493597
timo.nurmi@freud.fi
DISTRIBUTION: Key media
Marimekko is a Finnish textile and clothing design company renowned for its original prints and colours. The company designs and manufactures high-quality interior decoration items ranging from furnishing fabrics to tableware as well as clothing, bags and other accessories. When Marimekko was founded in 1951, its unparalleled printed fabrics gave it a strong and unique identity. Marimekko products are sold in approximately 40 countries. In 2011, brand sales of Marimekko products worldwide amounted to approximately EUR 170 million and the company's net sales were EUR 77 million. The number of Marimekko stores totalled 90 at the year end. The key markets are North America, Northern Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The Group employs around 430 people. The company's share is quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. www.marimekko.com