Design degree show unveiled: From Multispecies Futures to Virtual Surgery

On June 3–4, Umeå Institute of Design - which tops the Red Dot Design ranking for the 9th year in a row - reveal 40 bold and boundary-pushing design projects at UID25 | Design Talks & Degree Show. From AI and sustainable materials to virtual surgery and multispecies design, this year’s showcase offers a glimpse into the future of design. Whatch the show live or dig into the projects to discover tomorrows design stars.

Experience the next frontier of design as graduating students uncover visionary projects for a better tomorrow. At UID25, graduating students present their degree projects during a live-streamed event at Umeå Institute of Design (UID). The event features students delivering talks on stage, showcasing their projects through physical models, installations and digital visualisations. The exhibition invites attendees to interact with students and delve deeper into their visions of a new future. You can already get a sneak peek of the projects in the UID25 | Project Gallery.

“UID25 is more than a graduation show. It’s a platform for critical conversation and a celebration of how design can shape more inclusive, sustainable, and aspirational futures. The event reflects our globally diverse student body and the school’s commitment to creativity grounded in social responsibility” says Demian Horst, Head of Institute at UID.

From surgical VR tools to helping kids connect with nature

UID25 offers a glimpse into the broad range of perspectives shaping the next generation of design practice. Among the projects on display is "Tactile XR surgical training" by Niklas Andreasen from Germany, who has developed a training kit for surgeons using experimental reality. “I want to enhance immersion for surgeons in training and make their education more accessible”, says Andreasen.

Another project, "Uncommon Senses"by Anjuli Acharya from India takes an imaginative look at how we might design interactions with other species in a more caring, reciprocal way. “We’re used to thinking of design in human terms. But what if we widened that circle to include the more-than-human world?”, notes Acharya.

Each of the 40 projects presented at UID25 offers a glimpse into a different future, one that is shaped not just by innovation, but by empathy, exploration, and a deep curiosity about the world we live in.

Join us online on June 3–4 to explore the future of design:

June 3 – Student Project Presentations

🕐 13:00–17:00 (CET) in Umeå, Sweden

• 04:00–08:00 (PDT – Los Angeles)
• 07:00–11:00 (EDT – New York)
• 12:00–16:00 (BST – London)
• 13:00–17:00 (CEST – Stockholm, Berlin, Paris)
• 16:30–20:30 (IST – New Delhi)
• 19:00–23:00 (CST – Beijing)
• 20:00–00:00 (JST – Tokyo)
• 21:00–01:00 (AEST – Sydney)

June 4 – Keynotes, Panel Talks & Closing Remarks

🕙 10:00–12:00 (CET), in Umeå Sweden

• 01:00–03:00 (PDT – Los Angeles)
• 04:00–06:00 (EDT – New York)
• 09:00–11:00 (BST – London)
• 10:00–12:00 (CEST – Stockholm, Berlin, Paris)
• 13:30–15:30 (IST – New Delhi)
• 16:00–18:00 (CST – Beijing)
• 17:00–19:00 (JST – Tokyo)
• 18:00–20:00 (AEST – Sydney)

You can also watch the show afterwards using the same link: https://www.umu.se/en/umea-ins...

Or visit the UID25 | Project Gallery for a preview already today: https://www.umu.se/en/umea-ins...

Media Contact - don't hesitate to reach out!
Jens Persson, Communications Officer, Umeå Institute of Design
Email: jens.persson@umu.se
Phone: +46 736 26 35 51

Event Details:
What: UID25 | Design Talks & Degree Show
When: June 3–4
Where: Umeå Institute of Design, Arts Campus, Umeå University
Website: UID25 | Design Talks & Degree Show