On 21 August, Prototype Week kicked off for the second time and 13 creators are meeting to work on ideas that will make Umeå safer and more attractive with vibrant flows of people - around the clock all year round.
"This year's participants show a strong drive, incredible creativity and a willingness to work together to find solutions for the site around Vasaplan. We are going to work hard this week and with previous insights, the participants' level of knowledge and innovative processes, I am convinced that we will see fantastic results, says Frida Wimelius, project manager at eXpression.
The week builds on previous insights from the five spring design sprints and citizen dialogues within the project Creative Norrland, focusing on the area around Vasaplan, Vasagatan, Vasaskolan, Kulturskolan and Kvarteret Utopia. Thousands of people move around here every day, a place full of opportunities, but also challenges.
During the week, participants will work on prototyping solutions that enhance social sustainability, safety and well-being.
Through collaboration between cultural and creative industries, academia and business, the aim is to create sustainable and inclusive solutions that strengthen both society and the attractiveness of the city.
We end the week on 29 August with a vernissage and final presentations on floor 2 of Kvarteret Utopia, where we invite partners, businesses and other stakeholders. The participants will present their prototypes and solutions and show us the way towards a safe and vibrant city centre. During the presentation, there will be room for questions and discussion, which we warmly welcome," says Fanny Lindén, business coach at eXpression.
Here are the participants taking part in Prototype Week 2025
Olivia Warmth
Alma Bülow
Mrs Isabelle Kemi
Matilda Gomez Lindblom
Olivia Sjöström
Alva Andersson
Sarah konecnik
Emelie Aktanius
Emil Sjölund
Oliver Edrén
Robert Pettersson Almqvist
Oskar Häggström Germann
Erica Grundström
Partners and funders
Prototype Week would not have been possible without our fantastic partners Ultra, Upab and Baltic Groups. The project is also supported by the European Union.
Photo: Jonas Eltes
