Mathilda Karlsson is one of the latest shining stars among industrial designers in Umeå. On Monday 8 February, she was awarded the prize in the national design award Ung Svensk Form for her project Meno Clinic.
Mathilda participated in the Summer eXpression programme in the summer of 2019 and she is currently studying the Master's programme in Advanced Product Design at Umeå School of Design. She was awarded the Ung Svensk Form prize for her bachelor thesis Meno Clinic which was done in collaboration with Region Västerbotten and Ungdomshälsan Umeå (UMO). The project aimed to create a safer overall experience of going to the gynaecologist.
Through her work with Meno Clinic, Mathilda developed a new flow and movement pattern for the gynaecologist's reception room, creating a safer environment and reducing the feeling of vulnerability for the patient.
It's great to win such a big competition and I hope the increased exposure of the project will inspire further work on improving design for women and children, which is an area close to my heart.
The response to Mathilda's work has been met with positivity from Region Västerbotten and they have begun work on adapting their reception rooms.
I would have liked to continue the project, but due to a lot of work at school during the autumn, I have chosen to focus on my studies. When the opportunity arises, it would be fun to present the work to the RFSU and more regions. Alternatively, work with architects who design these hospital environments.
The winners of the Young Swedish Form competition will be showcased in a tour of Sweden and, as Mathilda's concept is digital, it will be displayed on four screens.
Rebekka Quiroz Wiberg is another of the winners of the competition who also studied at Umeå School of Design.
Read more about the Meno Clinic project here.
About Young Swedish Design:
Ung Svensk Form is a jury-judged award and travelling exhibition with the aim of increasing and broadening knowledge of young and innovative Swedish design. Ung Svensk Form highlights the importance of being able to create and explore freely without being forced to adapt to the market. Ung Svensk Form fulfils an important function as a forum for meetings between designers, producers and the public. Ung Svensk Form 2021 is a co-production between Föreningen Svensk Form and IKEA Museum, in collaboration with Kulturhuset Stadsteatern and the City of Malmö. Ung Svensk Form started in Malmö at Form/Design Center in 1998.
