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The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design has announced at their World Design Congress that Helsinki is the "World Design Capital" for 2012. Fast Company has a nice photo series of design highlights from the Finnish capital, and they are dazzling.

Eindhoven was the runner-up. There is no mention of New York, which figures. The designation, according to ICSID, is "appointed to cities based on their accomplishments and commitment to design as an effective tool for social, cultural and economic development." Imagine someone walking into their competition with a rendering of the proposed Atlantic Yards, or Marty Markowitz's "Potato Chip" amphitheater design for Asser Levy Park. About the best we can say for ourselves is that our fast food joints are getting slicker.

It's sad to be reminded of it, but people used to look at us in awe. Now New York just gets butt-uglier by the minute.