About half of all children aged 4-8 years have nightmares that affect their will and ability to sleep. To solve the problem Martina Eriksson developed Dream Play, a monster trap consisting of a digital and physical product.
About half of all children aged 4-8 years have nightmares that affect their will and ability to sleep. To solve the problem Martina Eriksson developed Dream Play, a monster trap consisting of a digital and physical product.

Press release -

Monster Traps and Mars Rovers at UID’17 - Umeå Institute of Design’s Degree Exhibition

Imagine a future where children no longer need to fear scary monsters under their beds. What if NASA's next vehicle to explore Mars is already designed, in northern Sweden. Consider a tomorrow where breathing difficulties among newborn children in developing countries aren’t life-threatening anymore. On June 1-2, graduates present their degree projects at Umeå Institute of Design’s yearly exhibition, UID'17 - Design Talks & Degree Show. The event has become an annual meeting place where design industry, major companies and media gather to discuss trends and innovations in the field of industrial design.

During UID'17, students at Umeå Institute of Design (UID), one of the world's top rated design programs, will present their degree projects in talks, with 3D models and by digital visualizations.

Many of the 49 projects are inspired by the digital revolution accelerated by the widespread use of smartphones. Martina Eriksson utilized the platform to develop an educational monster trap for children suffering from nightmares. The app has been developed after interviews with child psychologists, behavioural therapists, parents and children.

In another project, Dominik Krug has looked towards the red planet. The first manned missions to Mars are expected to take place in the 2030s and the demands on the equipment will be immense. In cooperation with Jaguar Land Rover, Dominik Krug has developed a futuristic rover with unique off-road capabilities to explore the difficult terrain.

Several projects have a strong connection to healthcare. Graduate Darja Wendel has developed an entirely new product to streamline the resuscitation of newborn children suffering from breathing difficulties. These problems are especially common in developing countries where faster and safer methods could save many lives.

"The topics that our students have chosen to explore this year are not simple. We are very proud to have the opportunity to showcase their solutions and perspectives on how we can help with the complex challenges we face in society" says Johan Redström, Rector at UID.

UID’s global attraction has led to a highly international student base, fifteen different nationalities among graduate students alone this year. The school also has strong ties to a host of multinational corporate giants like Microsoft, Google, Samsung, BMW and Volvo. Each year, representatives from companies travel to the event to follow up collaborations with students, to watch demonstrations and portfolios, and to recruit the next generation of industrial designers.

About UID'17 - Design Talks & Degree Show

Location: Umeå Institute of Design, Östra Strandgatan 30, Umeå, Sweden
Time: Thursday 1 June - Friday 2 June

More about UID'17

Press Information & Press Kit

Media can obtain preliminary information on four selected student projects, one from each program, in UID'17 press kit. The press kit also contains high resolution press images for download. Journalists can book interviews and an exclusive preview of the exhibition by contacting Communications Officer Jens Persson.

Press kit

For more information, please contact:

Jens Persson, Communications Officer, Umeå Institute of Design
Phone: +46 (0) 73-626 35 51
Email: jens.persson@umu.se

Maria Göransdotter, Vice-Rector,Umeå Institute of Design
Phone: +46 (0) 90 786 70 36, +46 (0) 70 336 70 36
Email: maria.goransdotter@umu.se

Topics

Categories

Umeå University
Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest institutions of higher learning with over 32,000 students and 4,200 employees. We have a well-established international research profile and a broad range of study options. Our campus constitutes an inspiring environment that encourages interdisciplinary meetings - between students, researchers, teachers and external stakeholders. Through collaboration with other members of society, we contribute to the development and strengthen the quality of our research and education.

Contacts

General Press Inquiries

General Press Inquiries

Press contact Press Officer +46 90 786 50 89

Marie Oskarsson

Press contact Kommunikatör Lärarhögskolan, Umeå universitet 0909-786 69 47

Umeå University

Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest universities with over 37,000 students and 4,300 employees. The university is home to a wide range of education programmes and world-class research in a number of fields. Umeå University was also where the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 was discovered – a revolution in gene-technology that was awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Founded in 1965, Umeå University is characterised by tradition and stability as well as innovation and change. Education and research on a high international level contributes to new knowledge of global importance, inspired, among other things, by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The university houses creative and innovative people that take on societal challenges. Through long-term collaboration with organisations, trade and industry, and other universities, Umeå University continues to develop northern Sweden as a knowledge region.

The international atmosphere at the university and its unified campus encourages academic meetings, an exchange of ideas and interdisciplinary co-operation. The cohesive environment enables a strong sense of community and a dynamic and open culture in which students and staff rejoice in the success of others.

Campus Umeå and Umeå Arts Campus are only a stone's throw away from Umeå town centre and are situated next to one of Sweden's largest and most well-renowned university hospitals. The university also has campuses in the neighbouring towns Skellefteå and Örnsköldsvik.

At Umeå University, you will also find the highly-ranked Umeå Institute of Design, the environmentally certified Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics and the only architectural school with an artistic orientation – Umeå School of Architecture. The university also hosts a contemporary art museum Bildmuseet and Umeå's science centre – Curiosum. Umeå University is one of Sweden's five national sports universities and hosts an internationally recognised Arctic Research Centre.

Umeå University
Universitetsområdet
SE-901 87 Umeå
Sweden
Umeå University homepage
Image database
Media relations
Prospective students
Open positions at Umeå University
Umeå city information
Visit our other newsrooms