Locally produced design is eXpression Design's motto and during the two years the programme has been running, 32 creators from Umeå and Örnsköldsvik have taken their idea to a finished product. Several of the participants have also continued to develop their businesses in the subsequent internationalisation phase and have been able to refine both their company and their offering. 

The programme is a collaboration with the creative network High Coast Creative in Örnsköldsvik, and through the network many of the participants have now been able to find more ways to reach customers with their products. In addition to their own digital solutions, several of the creatives have joined forces to set up a Pop Up shop in Oskargallerian in Örnsköldsvik ahead of Christmas. 

Running a Pop Up together means less work for the individual entrepreneur than running a shop on their own. Here we pull the load together and help with staffing, so we are less vulnerable even if someone falls ill. In addition, we promote each other's products on social media when we are here, which is also positive for everyone involved. We simply increase each other's visibility," says Elin Sävelind, who was a participant in the first round of eXpression Design 2019/2020. 

Since the launch of the "High Coast Temp" product, a wooden coaster with soapstone embedded, Elin has further developed her product. 

Exactly, I have changed the manufacturer and in the process also developed a new version with a long narrow soapstone. This version is suitable for glasses, milk cartons and small pots, and the wooden part can be used as a cutting board. The marks that result from using it give a lovely patina, I think." says Elin. 

Another participant who is now exhibiting and selling her products in the HCC Pop Up is Jessica Persson. During her time in eXpression design developed a multifunctional pot called "Blickfång", a product that among other things the magazine Allers Trädgård drew attention to. Since its launch at the end of May, Jessica has been working on developing new products and when the Pop Up store opened, she launched four new products.  

My first product was quite expensive to make and I learned a lot from it. With that lesson and knowledge in my backpack, I've managed to produce three products that are more cost-effective. Local production doesn't have to be expensive and it's possible to get a good return on investment if you start from the possibilities that manufacturers have," says Jessica, who has now launched three products in the HighCoast collection and a product she calls 'No Mesh'.  

"No Mes" is a metal lantern in the shape of a bird, painted in bright and quite strong colours. 

I like birds and I felt this one would get some attention through the colors, it's not a wimp! It shows that everyone has the right to be seen and everyone has the right to their own expression." says Jessica. 

In addition to Elin Sävelind and Jessica Persson, the following former participants from eXpression Design can also be found in the shop:  

• Angelica Spets, Formspets 
• Emelie Lundmark, Dinie Design 
• Linda Lundin 
• Sigbritt Mann 
• Victoria Säker 
• Elin Sävelind, Timeline Photo 
• Jessica Persson, Room and Flora 

HCC Pop Up is open in Oskargallerian on Saturdays until Christmas from 10-16 and in addition to eXpression Designs participants, a number of High Coast Creative members are selling their products. See #hccpopup on Instagram for even more photos from the shop. 

Photo from HCC Pop-up: Jessica Persson

LINKS

Visit the High Coast Creative website
Follow High Coast Creative on Instagram
Read more about eXpression Design