Designlab is finally getting underway - the business development programme where sustainable design principles meet the rich cultural heritage of Western Sweden. This week the participants have met for the first time and now a series of useful workshops and seminars await.

It feels really good to get going. It's an exciting first edition of the programme with a good spread among companies. Participants will learn tools and methods aimed at developing companies' design processes. The aim is not least to promote all aspects of sustainability by drawing inspiration from and building on cultural heritage," says Oscar Riby, programme manager for the Design Lab.

Part of Västerbotten's cultural heritage is, of course, the storytelling tradition. In order to better reach out with their value proposition, companies will be given the opportunity to develop their brand through storytelling. This is something that Kim Granberg from Mural Architecture, one of the participants, is particularly looking forward to.

We want to find keys that will help us make the most of the rich cultural heritage that exists in the county. We want to make our corporate story visible in an inspiring and playful way. That's why the programme feels relevant to us," says Kim Granberg.

Röbäck glass and clay and Älsk Nu will also participate in the Designlab. They both emphasize the expectation of new collaborations and broadened perspectives.

We look forward to receiving input in our sustainability work. We are already working on this, but we think we can always improve. Meeting the other participants is also an important part," says Camilla Caster from Röbäck glass and clay.

It feels like it will be fun and challenging. We hope for new perspectives, ideas, insights, contacts, inspiration, knowledge and more exciting collaborations," says Linda Backman from Älsk Nu.

The Design Lab is a collaboration between eXpression, RISE and Västerbotten Museum. Project leader from RISE is Matilda henningsson.

We will meet participants on six different occasions with a focus on inspiration, knowledge and networking. An important part of the programme is the opportunity to work with local producers. The project will also establish a new network of producers that participants will have access to," says Matilda Henningsson.

Here is the list of all participants with links to websites for more info:

• Humlebäck ceramics and cabinetmaking
• Isoletto design
• Mural architecture
• Ola Ling handicrafts
• Röbäck glass and clay
• Sara Suvonni design
• Love Now

The target group is smaller companies in the artistic and cultural industries that, among other things, want to strengthen their business model, their brand and develop local production based on the cultural heritage of Western Sweden - mixed with modern methods.

Read more about the Designlab business development programme here.

Cover photographer: Malin Grönborg

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