It's time once again for the world's design elite to gather in Umeå. As usual, the Umeå Institute of Design / Umeå School of Design at Umeå University is attracting design executives, innovators and researchers to Umeå to be part of the design students' graduation exhibition. This year, Google's head of design, Alberto Villareal, will be here to present his thoughts on the future of design. But that's not all that's happening in the week ahead. This year, just in time for the 30th anniversary of the School of Design, there are more design events coming up.
From 3-8 June, designers and innovation leaders from around the world will gather with researchers, students and entrepreneurs from the creative industries in Umeå. During the week, they will work together from a design-oriented perspective, highlighting future challenges and solutions in design, innovation and urban development.
It is at what is called UID19 | Design Talks and Degree Show that the bachelor and master students at Umeå Institute of Design show what they have learned. The students are in high demand by companies from all over the world and the reason why what could have been a simple ceremony has now grown to make Umeå a hotspot for design enthusiasts. In addition to student and company presentations, the event includes talks by leading designers, a design exhibition and a host of networking opportunities.
- The interest in our students is very high, says Demian Horst, Vice-Chancellor of the Umeå School of Design.
- Many companies are interested in working with our students during their studies, but also in employing them after graduation. There is also a large number of job interviews taking place during exam days. In fact, companies also have to introduce themselves to the students. For an entire afternoon, the roles are reversed and the students listen carefully to the companies' presentations of their corporate visions and values," says Demian Horst.
One of the speakers is Google's chief creative officer Alfredo Villareal. He is a former student at Umeå School of Design who now designs Google hardware; phones, tablets, computers, smart speakers and more:
- The atmosphere was prestigious, the diversity of nationalities, cultures and experiences created a vibrant environment that I still consider to be one of the most creative I have ever been in.
Cities, Design & Innovation Conference will be held during the same week and will explore how we can use a design-oriented perspective to create physical and virtual spaces that develop not only citizens but also the city's other stakeholders. The conference is a result of Umeå's final place in the European Capital of Innovation.
The conference aims to develop new and interesting tools and insights for the benefit of all those working on place development in an innovative and socially inclusive way. Organizers are Umeå Municipality, Umeå University, RISE and eXpression Umeå.
- We see a growing interest in the ability of cities to innovate and see new solutions for building socially sustainable environments. I was recently invited to an OECD meeting with mayors from around the world, where Umeå's work on gender equality and other issues was highlighted. At the conference, I hope we can find many ways to develop even better living environments through a design approach," says Marie-Louise Rönnmark, President of the City Council, who will open the conference.
The government research institute RISE in Umeå specialises in societal change. Head of studio Ambra Trotto develops the thinking for the role of design.
Design is the way of knowing that allows us to make the future experienceable. Design is therefore the most suitable discipline to lead the process of engaging, prototyping, experiencing, iterating the development of a complex system such as a city. I wish visitors will have the possibility to experience the underlying values of Design by Umeå in the series of events and activities that have been set up: trust, participation, the arctic lifestyle, social engagement. From a practical point of view, I am looking forward to more collaboration opportunities, that allow us to relate global challenges to hyperlocal ones, Dr Ambra Trotto, Design Research and Innovation Director / Board Member, The Pink, RISE
eXpression Umeå, Umeå's leading incubator for the artistic and creative industries participates during the week through a showroom at the Artistic Campus where design, fashion and media are showcased by prominent creators such as Proto Proto, vacaVerde, Úma, Harta Film, Modist Catharina Carlsson, Perigon and Björk. A showroom designed by internationally acclaimed Ecodesign and Interior Design. Also taking part will be researcher Elin Nilsson, School of Economics and eXpression who will talk about how the creative industries are leading the way in urban transformation.
Exploring future urban development from a design perspective, where the creative industries play a significant role in innovation, is an important collaboration for us. A collaboration where we together continue to put Umeå on the map as a natural innovation and design city on the international scene, says Dr Marlene Johansson, CEO eXpression Umeå.
The week ends with the Umeå Design Walk on Saturday 8 June, where the doors to many of the prominent design environments are opened to the public. There you can also compete and have the chance to win your portrait printed in 3D.
The organisers behind Design by Umeå are Umeå municipality, Umeå University, RISE and eXpression Umeå
