As of the beginning of the year, eXpression Design, which was previously split between Örnsköldsvik and Umeå, is a single major digital business development programme. Designer, artist and entrepreneur Johanna Forsberg will be the new programme manager.
- Together with a broad network of innovative creators and entrepreneurs, I look forward to being an active part of ploughing the paths for the creative industries in the north and helping more people take the plunge to go international," says Johanna.
Johanna Forsberg runs an international design company with her own designed products and has also been instrumental in the start-up and establishment of High Coast Creative - a trade association and network for the creative industries on the High Coast. Previously, she was responsible for the Övik branch of the design programme, but will now be in charge of the programme when Umeå and Örnsköldsvik merge.
The ongoing pandemic has meant that most of eXpression Umeå's operations have been converted to a digital environment. This has of course brought a lot of challenges but also new opportunities. In a digital context, location matters less. It was therefore natural for us to merge the two groups and focus even more on exchanging experiences and creating strong networks between designers and local manufacturers in the north. Now that we're working together, we're in an even better position to do so," says Johanna.
What happens in programt in the spring?
During the autumn, idea generation and prototyping have been in focus, interspersed with testing the ideas against the market. The group is now moving from that phase straight into the workshop to turn their design into reality. The idea of the programme is to open their eyes to what the whole product development journey entails, that it is possible to create locally and that the step towards an international market may be closer than they think. The spring and the programme will end with a vernissage, says Johanna.
The final phase of eXpression Design offers a series of lectures aimed at strengthening participants' chances of succeeding in their business after the programme ends. The focus will be on building your personal brand, learning how to monetise what you create and what you need to consider to protect your design and brand.
A major joint launch of the 18 companies' products, refined in the programme, is planned for May. Whether it will be all-digital or live, time will tell.
When Johanna becomes programme manager, Maria Persson takes over responsibility for the Örnsköldsvik group. The two will work together on the development of eXpression Design.
FACTS:
eXpression Design is a successful cross-county collaboration between eXpression Umeå and the creative network High Coast Creative in Örnsköldsvik.The programme enables more cross-industry collaborations between creators and manufacturers.
The programme offers tools to help creators turn their ideas into reality. The aim is to develop a locally produced product and to support creators to grow in their entrepreneurship and ability to establish sustainable partnerships and networks. The hope is to strengthen profitability, find new markets and develop local production.
There is also the possibility of further development, as a later stage, focusing on internationalisation and strategic planning.
