The Design Museum’s collections are extensive and versatile and they shed light on the history and evolution of industrial arts in Finland. The collections include 75,000 objects, 45,000 drawings, and 125,000 images, with a data bank containing information on over 1,000 designers. The Design Museum’s collections also incorporate the collections of the Arabia Museum, Iittala Glass Museum, Nuutajärvi Glass Museum and the Hackman-Sorsakoski’s collections. The collection of exhibits, image archives and archives build a complete picture of the history of Finnish design.

The Design Museum’s exhibition activities are based on its extensive collections. The exhibits are showcased in the museum’s permanent exhibition, changing exhibitions and travelling exhibitions.