Text: Jens
Persson
2020-06-02
This year's grad show at Umeå Institute of Design offers a
series of innovations ranging from a biotech wearable for people
suffering loss and an app for young activists, to solutions for
future firefighters in the wake of climate change.
On June 4th, graduating students present their projects during
Umeå Institute of Design's digital graduate exhibition, UID20 |
Design Talks & Degree Show. From June 2nd, the grad projects
can be explored in the virtual UID20 Project Gallery.
What happens when the digital products we wear on our bodies
start "collaborating" with our biology? Can an app for young people
create the next generation of activists following in the footsteps
of Greta Thunberg? Will accelerating climate change force us to
find new ways of living with wildfires? Could a new type of
two-wheel electric vehicle - focusing on environment, safety,
storage and convenience - attract new groups to start riding
motorcycles?
Linda Bresäter, deputy head of department at Umeå Institute of
Design, explains that this year's graduating students have worked
with a clear user perspective, innovative storytelling and visions
for a better society.
"Despite the changes that Covid-19 brought us this spring term,
our students have found incredible ways of solving situations by
adapting and reinventing" she says. "They have taken on a wide
range of challenges and found innovative solutions, highlighting
new aspects of how we humans live, both now and in the future.
Throughout this past year, they have worked purposefully to grow as
designers, and to develop the area of design. The high level of
this year's degree project shows that they are now ready to take on
new challenges outside UID, around the world".
Could a new type of
two-wheel electric vehicle - focusing on environment, safety,
storage and convenience - attract new groups to start riding
motorcycles?
At UID20, students will present their degree projects during a
virtual, live-streamed event. From their apartments and homes in
Umeå, Sweden and around the world, they will demonstrate all facets
of their projects via 3D models, image/video galleries and digital
visualizations. Many of the 48 projects take their starting point
in the digital realm, often with the objective of making technology
more human. Several projects also have a strong focus towards, for
example, healthcare or sustainability.
UID's visibility on the global design stage has led to a highly
international group of students. This year alone, the graduating
students represent 15 different nationalities. The educational
programmes and student projects at UID are conducted in close
collaboration with major multinational companies as well as
research institutions, municipalities and health care units. Each
year, representatives from companies, organizations and the design
community join the event to follow up collaborations with students,
to view demonstrations and portfolios, and to recruit the next
generation of industrial designers.
UID20 | Design Talks & Degree Show, June 4th, 15.00
(CEST)
UID20
Live Broadcast
UID20 Project Gallery
