Over seven weeks, ten promising designers have turned their product ideas into reality in the Summer eXpression programme. In close collaboration with local manufacturers, new everyday objects have been created and on Thursday 6 October they will be launched in limited edition at Designtorget in Stockholm.
At Designtorget, we are passionate about giving young designers a platform to be seen. This has been part of our business since we started in 1993. The collaboration between Designtorget and eXpression began in 2017 and some of Designtorget's most beloved products come from the collaboration. As a partner, Designtorget wants the project to be accessible to more people and make it easier for designers to reach out with their idea, innovation and design," says Malin Wåhlström, Head of Purchasing Designtorget.
This year's ten designers are all students from Umeå School of Design or Umeå School of Architecture. For seven weeks this summer, they have gone through the entire design process from idea to finished product. They have also learned new skills about business, such as pricing and marketing. Producing a saleable product has been the goal, but they also want to learn things along the way that you can't learn if you don't go through the whole process.
Sometimes things don't go as planned, and you have to find new ways forward. Becoming a good problem solver and learning to make decisions in the process are good experiences to take with you into the future. The idea is that they will have gained a toolbox that will be useful even after the programme is over," says Fanny Lindén, Programme Manager Summer eXpression.
The assignment has been to work with producers in the area to produce everyday objects, things we use in everyday life. All the products are Swedish-made and the majority of them are made in Västerbotten. On Thursday 6 October at 5pm, the products will be launched in the Designtorget shop on Götgatan in Stockholm. The launch will start with a vernissage where the designers will talk about each product.
Of course, we hope to find future design favourites among this year's entries. It's also super interesting to meet and hear the designers talk about their products, design process and approach. I really recommend coming to the opening on 6 October," says Malin Wåhlström, Designtorget.
The launch also marks the start of sales of the products. The products will be on sale for one month in the Designtorget shop on Götgatan in Stockholm and for four months on designtorget.se, or while stocks last.
About the Buzzer programme eXpression
Summer eXpression is carried out in order to make visible, develop and connect young designers and talented producers present in the region. The contacts made pave the way for new innovations as well as businesses. The programme aims to celebrate well-designed consumer goods and contribute to more locally produced and designed products, as well as acting as a springboard for further entrepreneurship.
