Hi! Just when you thought that I have disappeared from the blog world I am here again with a new post. It has been a long time since my latest post, I know. It has happened so much, and I have not had the time.

A lot of my effort has been focused on the Swedish Association of Designers, where I have been the Chairman since 2011. We have been developing the organization and I have been around at meetings with ministries and institutions, and representing in Sweden and abroad. Besides the nordic countries I have been to Hong Kong for the Swedish partnership in one of the biggest design conferences in the world – BODW – Business of Design Week. I was invited among the honored guests and participated also as one of the moderators; I was responsible for the sustainable design session with keynotes from Catarina Midby and Margareta van den Bosch from H&M, Hans Hassle from Plantagon, Kristoffer Hansén from Scania and C.L. Lam from Hong Kong based Green and Associates. The whole week gathered around two hundred swedes in Hong Kong and BODW had about 100.000 vistors. It was a huge success! Thank you General Consulate of Sweden and Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Read more about the Swedish partnership at www.bodw.com and www.sweden-livingdesign.com

I am also proud to tell that I am member of the board at Form/Design Center in Malmö since one year. During 2014 opened up to work in the Malmö-Öresund region. It is one of the most interesting and dynamic regions in Europe right now; a hot spot for design and creativity. I am very happy that we grasped this opportunity to live and work at another place, it is very inspiring and enriching. This doesn’t mean that the studio in Västervik is closed, I have kept my office and workshop there as well. At the moment we have a house in Västervik and a flat in Malmö.

Since beginning of 2015 I am more in Västervik again. The reason is that I had a new born that arrived in February! I have also accepted an offer from the municipality of Västervik to work half-time as project manager for urban development projects. It is very interesting and I learn a lot from being involved into these contexts. I can contribute with new perspectives, and I can have use from my skills within creativity management, design processes and sustainability. It is a lot about adding methods for co-creation and to enhance the dialogue and communication within urban planning projects. It is a lot of interesting projects going on. So far I have led the work for a new street and I am working right now on a square.

There has been so much happening so I can not write about it all here. As the last thing I will just briefly inform you a bit what is going on with me and Iceland. I have been there many times now, and the visits has become more often. During 2014 Design March I was a part of a group who exhibited the results from a design initiative in Utah, USA. We focused on design for Small Communities. We also held a seminar and a workshop in Hannesarholt in Reykjavik. It is an initiative from the group Designers & Forests where I am one of the co-founders, established in 2013. We were starting up an dialogue on how design can be used as a method and a process for sustainable development. We presented the work process that we have developed; EXPLORE-REFLECT-RESPOND. All the participants on the seminar was invited to take part in some exercises that we had prepared. This initiative will be followed by other projects with a similar approach; next one starts now in end of July and beginning of August 2015 in the forests and communities of upper State of New York. More info www.designersandforests.us

Anyhow, it was Iceland I was about to tell more about. Since 2014 I have two new commissions connected to Iceland. One of them is to develop a couple of new series of lamps for a lamp company. I am working on this with my dear friend and colleague Kristjan Kristjansson who is a Lighting Designer and lives in Reykjavik. During Design March 2015 we were exhibiting the prototype af a new lamp – the Puzzle lamp. It will soon be out on the market. We also showed the conceptual Hollow lamp that is very much appreciated and we have got a lot of attention from. More info about the lamp designs will come during fall 2015.

The main project that I am working on in Iceland is Afangastadurinn Austurland – Destination Austurland. It is a destination design project where eight municipalities in east Iceland have agreed on collaboration for developing a common destination platform. Austurland is the region of esat Iceland. It is a spectacular region. Fantastic nature, fjords, wildlife, culture, a lot to see and do and very nice people. I am very happy to be involved in this initiative. The tourism is one of the new primary industries of Iceland, and a lot of effort is being put into the sector in national contexts. Austurland is now one of the regions who takes the lead are pioneers in many ways. The focus for the initiative is to strengthen the attractiveness and competiveness of the destination, and to create a framework for long term, sustainable and profitable growth for the tourism industry. The focus is also on regional development, and on the well-being of communities and residents. The initiative intends to establish a community movement and a framework for destination development. Everyone are invited to get involved. Methods being used aims for co-creation, dialogue and communication throughout the whole process. Áfangastaðurinn Austurland is initiated by FAUST – Ferðamálasamtök Austurlands, and run by Austurbrú.

As I already said, it is hard to update about everything that is going on. This is enough for now. I promise that next blogpost will come soon.

As a start of Stockholm Design Week, I was invited by the Swedish Institute to welcome the international press and inform them about Swedish Design. The focus was on sustainable design, and in my presentation I showed how we integrate sustainability in our design processes. My aim was to communicate the dna of Swedish design. I also got a chance to market several good examples that was provided to me from Swedish design companies. I was representing The Swedish Association of Designers. Also participating in the press information were Ewa Kumlin from Svensk Form, Teo Enlund from Green Leap and Susanne Helgesson. The presentation was very appreciated by the attending press.

Design that engage people and develop communities – that was the heading when Daniel Byström from DBD/Design Nation was invited as key note speaker at Business Swedens event; Scandinavian Light and Design in Vienna November 7th 2013. Arranged together with the Swedish and Norwegian Embassies. About 500 registered guests was attending the event that was held in fantastic Semperdepot – Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. The guests was architects, designers, purchasers. Among the other speakers were norwegian designer Vibeke Skar and  Sweden’s Ambassador to the United States 2007-2013 Jonas Hafström. Participating exhibitors was Swedish and Norwegian producers of furnitures and lightnings.

Except of showing the characteristics of nordic design aesthetics, Daniel talked about our way of design thinking, the reasons and methods when working in design processes. He explained what community design is about, and how it always must be a sustainability focus in several layers in every design project. In his role as chairman of the Swedish Association of Designers, Daniel also showcased good design examples from contributed from Swedish design studios. There were 65 examples containing everything from sustainable products, concepts, fashion, graphic designs, packaging, services. The speak was focusing on the question – What can design do?  The question isn’t what design is, but what design can do. Designers are practitioners of an applied process of creative skills; researching, analyzing, evaluating, synthesizing and then conceptualizing, testing and communicating solutions. We live in a world full of opportunities. Design can be used to connect to people, engage and develop communities and regions. How do we utilize the creativity of the community? How do we create shared visions? How do we make real sustainable products and environments?

This summer I will participate in Designers & Forest from July 29 – August 10 in Utah, USA. Designers and Forest will initiate a conversation surrounding problems currently facing the Western United States forest and specifically the forests of Utah.

Who we are: Designers and Forests is a group of invested and interested individuals from around the world and is growing. The forests of the world are connected through climate, international trade, and governmental policies. Through similar traditions of forestry, agriculture, and craft. We feel that our experiences working with and handling forests should also be connected. The founding members of the group are composed of individuals from the United States, (New York, Utah) and Sweden. We are educators, designers, foresters, scientists, storytellers, community organizers, and students.

Who we seek: The project is seeking interested individuals from various backgrounds who wish to join our conversation about forest and community health. We are educators, graphic designers, furniture designers, foresters, and community activists. We seek collaborators, designers, and artisans who are interested in exploring new materials or old materials in new ways. We seek scientists and foresters who can inform and educate about pest, weaknesses, and forest health. We seek community members who are looking for alternative means to traditional economies. We seek storytellers who can share the narratives that bind us to places and teach us lessons from the past.

When it will happen: During the summer of 2013 we will assemble as a small group in the forest and rural communities of Utah to begin the conversation. This event will take place July 29-August 10, 2013 and will include workshops, seminars, and site visits. During these two weeks individuals will meet to define the parameters of the project. Expertise and knowledge will be shared. A solid plan for continued collaboration will be fleshed out.

Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the project organizers directly by email: info@designersandforest.us or daniel@bystromdesign.se. You can also follow the project and read more about it at www.designersandforest.us

designers and forest flyer

It’s been a while since my last post on the blog. Not because I am dead, contrariwise I feel very alive. After a well needed holiday in January, I have been busy with clients, students and fairs. In beginning of February I attended the Stockholm Furniture Fair. Lots of good stuff to see, and above all – very nice to meet all dear design colleagues! My old pals Form Us With Love invited to a party on Arkitekturmuseet. I must say I really admire them and their work!

I have also been travelling around in Småland – Emmaboda, Växjö, Nybro, Nässjö and not at least the Kingdom of Furnitures – Möbelriket – Lammhult where I brought design students to from Nässjö for a field trip. We were guided by the king him self – Johan Sjöberg – who is very entusiastic and passionate in developing the region and the design related business. We visted Lammhults Möbel where we were guided by CEO Åke Jansson, and at last Svenssons i Lammhult. The students and I were very pleased with the reception we got. Thank you all!

Bento Chair by F.U.W.L and One Nordic Furniture Company

From the Furniture fair – storing system by Imeüble, Bjørn Jørund Blikstad

A classic with a new look

Nice apprentice work

Comet by Gunilla Allard and Lammhults Möbel

Dexter by Andreas Farkas and Lammhults Möbel

Close before the holidays I just need to write a review from the Generator Conference held in Norrköping 15th and 16th of November. The conference was arranged by Generator Sweden. For the last four years Generator has gathered regional stakeholders at a two-day conference on how Swedish regions can benefit from and support the development of cultural and creative industries.

I was participating on the conference representing The Swedish Association of Designers. Everything were great – the speakers, the facilities at Louis DeGeer, the entertainment, the food and the meetings. My impressions in between is how marginalized design becomes within the discussions on creative and cultural industries, though design really has a vital and catalyzing role to play and should be one of the corner stones to build on.

Swedish musician Jepson from The Ark

Lighting designer Kai Piippo

Pier Luigi Sacco

Dinner and entertainment in Värmekyrkan…

…and after that – party with live Jazz in the bookshop!
Happiest in the photo – Johanna Skantze and Anna Linton

Besides my work with design commissions I am also consulting for Nässjö Träcentrum where I do courses in design. The educations are connected to Jönköping University. As a part of the educations we work close to the industry and regularly do study visits. Recently I arranged a trip to Stockholm for the students, we filled a big bus and left early in the morning. First we visited Materialbiblioteket where Björn Florman took good care of us. Materialbiblioteket offers help and service for students, designers and architects to get knowledge of new materials, and to be updated on development of new materials and technology with opportunity to touch and study samples. A very inspiring place that can be recommended for a visit! Since Materialbiblioteket is situated in the same building as Konstfack at Telefonplan we stayed and had a look in the facilities with guidance of Thomas Herrström who teach industrial design at the school. After lunch we went to the newly built design hotel Nobis at Norrmalms Torg, where the famous bureau CKR has made the interior. That visit really made great impressions on all the students, it is really an amazing building and we also got to see the suite – available from €2800 per night! Before the trip back home we made a last visit on White Architects at Norra Hammarbyhamnen where industrial designer Björn Tegnell informed the students about different projects, about the company’s building which is built and designed by White themselves, and also made an interesting lecture about light design.

As you understand it was a long and exciting day full of new impressions and when the bus returned home to Nässjö and Jönköping all the students where very satisfied and tired.

Materialbiblioteket - The Library of materials

Konstfack – University College of Arts, Crafts & Design

Nobis Hotel – The Lobby, Chandelier from Orrefors, design Gunnar Cyrén, 1960

White Architects

Daniel Byström was awarded the Cultural Prize of the year! The Prize is awarded, in the memory of Henry Gustafsson, to a person who has made major contributions for Västervik’s cultural life, and comes together with a scholarship.

Design Nation is very proud and happy for the award and want to thanks for the designation, the prize ceremony and the gala! Many thanks!

In beginning of September I was the convener when the Swedish Association of Designers hosted the development meeting of Scandinavian Design Alliance, this time in Stockholm. As always it was very nice to see the colleagues in the working team and we really took big steps forward. It is a very exciting project that will mean a lot not for only Swedish design, but for all of Scandinavia and the nordic countries!

Participating on the meeting were except me from the Swedish Association of Designers, Lennart Eng, Charlie Norrman and Jenny Lindahl Persson from Svenska Tecknare, Rachel Troye and Vera Pahle from Grafill, Søren Yran and Jørgen Holo from Norske Industridesignere, Martin Larsen and Steinar Valade-Amland from Danish Designers.

Lucky enough we also got some quality time in the sun, before the sky opened up and the rain was pouring down…

My work within design has taken me to many places. I have seen a lot and learned more! That has given me a sound experience and insight to a lot of different areas, which in my opinion is also one of the key factors to understand and manage the design process. To gather knowledge about market aspects, materials, production techniques, and not at least about the users – the people who respond and connects to the products and services we develop.

My approach is to be open minded and not afraid to get involved in new areas. Besides doing commissions for clients, I also teach and give lectures in design related topics. I am engaged in regional development, creating business networks, promoting culture and creativity, and making meetings and events and so on.  In addition I am a member of the board in the Swedish Association of Designers where I am representative in international networks, and just recently I was elected to vice chairman of the board.

Well what can I say? I like to be involved and affect…  and I am very happy to get the opportunity to meet all the interesting and skilled people. And I look forward to upcoming exciting meetings and projects. But first I will try to squeeze in some holidays… enjoy the summer all of you out there!

Here is a picture of Carina Oscarsson elected to Chairman of the board for the Swedish Association of Designers and me, elected to vice chairman. From the annual meeting in June.