On Wednesday 13 October, it was time for the start of this year's eXpression Design programme. The nine accepted creators met at the Arts Campus for a joint introduction to the programme, a lecture on the design process and a workshop on idea generation at the Västerbotten Museum. The aim of the programme is to broaden their networks with other creators and local manufacturers over eight months and to find tools through the design and business process to create greater business value.

Nine excited creatives from Örnsköldsvik and Umeå gathered on Wednesday at the Arts Campus in Umeå to launch the eXpression Design programme. The creators will broaden their networks with other creators such as designers, shapers, craftsmen, artists and artisans, but also among local manufacturers and new sales channels. At the end of the programme, the creators will have developed an idea into a finished product based on a chosen material and in collaboration with a local manufacturer.

- In May, all products will be launched, but the launch is not the end but only the beginning of the creators' journey. During these eight months, they will gain tools and knowledge that will be useful in their business going forward," says Maria Persson, Business Coach and eXpression Design Program Manager.

During the first meeting, the Industrial Designer Fanny Lindén a lecture on "The design process as a method"

- There are many different ways to carry out a design process, you just have to find the one that suits you best. In what order and in what ways it suits me to carry them out.

One of the creators admitted to the programme is the industrial designer Elin Molander.

- When I was in education, products were sketched that were only fictional and never became reality, it remained a school assignment. So I'm looking forward to working with the local manufacturers and actually making a real product.

Programme officers Johanna Forsberg was satisfied with the kick-off meeting:

- An industry initiative like this can have so many ripples. It becomes a concrete way to create collaborations across professional and sectoral boundaries, creating benefits and innovation at several levels. Together they develop each other's processes and production. I look forward to following the companies' journey forward.

The programme is a county-wide initiative between the creative industry network High Coast Creative in Höga Kusten and eXpression Umeå. In this year's round, companies from Umeå, Hörnefors, Sikeå and Örnsköldsvik are participating.

The nine creators accepted for this year's eXpression Design are:

Anna Brännström - Anna Brännström EF
Anna Sehlin - Anna Sehlin Interior & Home stylist
Stina Wallin - Design of the North Garden
Elin Molander - Elin Molander Design
Emelie Almgren - Aunt Emelie
Katarina Paulsson - The gardener in Sikeå
Markus Larsson - Creative Concrete
Pernilla Tjärnström - PT Art and Design
Stina Carlsson - Stina Carlsson EF

Contacts:
Maria Persson
Program Manager eXpression Design
maria@highcoastcreative.se

Johanna Forsberg
Program Manager eXpression Design
johanna.forsberg@expressionumea.se