On 25 and 26 March, participants in this year's Design Workshops gathered for an inspiring first session in Vännäs and Robertsfors respectively. The programme, organised by eXpression Umeå and RISE within the framework of Kreativa Norrland, gives artists, designers, architects and other creatives the opportunity to explore how places can be developed to promote well-being, happiness and health. One of the participants is Johanna Forsberg, a designer and artist for over 20 years.
For me, this is about translating creativity into real change. I see the programme as a strategic building block, a way to experience in practice how the New European Bauhaus principles can sustainably, beautifully and collaboratively serve as a compass for creative making. From an eye-catching entrance to places and communities that make people live and feel good," says Johanna Forsberg.
During the course of the programme, participants will explore issues such as how to plan for movement and community, build conditions for security and trust, and design environments for all the senses. The work is done through joint learning, co-creation and place-based workshops with Vännäs and Robertsfors as test beds.
Vännäs enjoys a scenic location along the Ume River and has already made some progress with the promenade, but the potential is greater than that. The place should be an obvious destination for people to visit, all year round. "What I take away from the first meeting is a curiosity about where this will lead and what we as a group can create together," says Gabriel Larsson.
A total of four meetings will be organised in the spring. The programme ends with an open event where the participants' concepts and lessons learnt are presented to the public. Completion of the programme also entitles participants to certification under the European Lifelong Learning Framework.
You are welcome to take part in the results:
The design workshops - open event
Presentation of concepts and shared learning.
When: Thursday 23 April, 13:00-15:00, with optional mingle afterwards.
Where: Scharinska Villan, Storgatan 65, Umeå
This year's participants
Robertsfors:
Susanne Fahlén Hörnberg - Graphic Designer
Johanna Forsberg - Artist & Designer
Anna-Karin Gustafsson - ANNA K Creative Studio
Astrid Hainzl - Student Architecture / Architectural firm
Elin Niss - Student, Industrial Design
Elena Rozarenova - Elena's palette
Amanda Rova - Student, Architecture
Isabelle Wikman - Student, Industrial Design
Vännäs:
Eva Juneblad - Glass artist, Röbäck Glass & Clay
Gabriel Larsson - Student, Spatial Planning Programme
Sybil Sundling - Oxviken Farm
Harriet Edeholt - Sörböle Farm Shop
Tove Jakobsson - Student, Interaction Design
Stina Nilsson - Cartoonist / Illustrator
Julia Norén - Student, Industrial Design / Julia Norén Studio
Jenny Oppheim - Student, Architecture
Stina Wallin - Norrträdgårdens Design
Photo: Frida Lindman
The programme is funded by the European Union, Umeå Municipality, Piteå Municipality, Luleå Municipality, Gällivare Municipality, Region Västerbotten and Region Norrbotten.
