Toy researcher
Katriina Heljakka (Doctor of Arts, MA (Art history), M.Sc. (Econ.), holds a
post-doctoral position at University of Turku (digital culture studies) and
continues her research on toys and the visual, material, digital and social
cultures of play in the Academy of Finland project Centre of Excellence in Game
Culture Studies. Her current research interests include the emerging
toyification of contemporary culture, toy design and the hybrid and social
dimensions of ludic practices. During her career, Heljakka, who received her
doctorate from Aalto University, has worked in the toy industry as a game
designer and creative manager responsible for trend-related research and
concept creation. In parallel to being an academic, Heljakka has been involved
in character creation, authored children’s storybooks and participated in
multiple art exhibitions with her toy-related photography and playable art
installations both in Finland, Portugal and the U.S. To explore the discipline
of toy design education, Heljakka has visited and lectured (and played) at the
toy design programs of the Polytechnic University in Hong Kong, Delft
University, Shenkar College in Tel Aviv, MIT Game Lab, Fashion Institute of
Technology in New York and OTIS School of Design in Los Angeles. In 2017,
Heljakka visited the Strong National Institute of Play as a research fellow. She
currently acts as the Chief of Play at Pori Laboratory of Play (PLOP). Contact:
katriina.heljakka@utu.fi

Katriina Heljakka holds a post-doctoral position at
University of Turku (digital culture studies) and studies toys and the visual,
material, digital and social cultures of play at Pori Laboratory of Play. Her
current interests include the toyification of culture, toy design and the
hybrid and transgenerational dimensions of ludic practices. 

Katriina Heljakka teaches courses on toys, games, playful experiences, play environments and the visual, material, digital and social cultures of play, designs and executes playful interventions such as playful workshops in other areas of study.