Jens Näslund, Brand Design Manager for the Gardena
brand at Husqvarna AB&s Global Design Center in Stockholm, is a
former UID student, first as a BA student from 1998, and then at
the Transportation
Design programme, the first and the last term. In between those
terms, he went to the Art Center College of Design. He grew up
in Örnsköldsvik, but the last years he has been living in
Gothenburg, Örebro, and Jönköping. Since 5 weeks back, he is living
in Stockholm.
What are you doing at Umeå Institute of Design?
I am tutoring the one-year course Industrial Design
Introduction in a five-week project where we use one of the
brands I am working with, Gardena, and the main purpose of the
project is about ergonomics. We have been working for almost four
weeks, and in less than two weeks the students will present their
results. I am thrilled to see what they will come up with.
Is there anything you find particularly positive about
UID?
The great thing about UID is that there are so many
nationalities under such a small roof, and this creates a wonderful
atmosphere. I believe this to be one of the things that make UID so
unique, a lovely mix of people from all four corners of the earth.
When I studied here it was not as international, but now the school
has become larger with more programmes. I hope the introduction of
tuition fees will not change things too much; it would really be a
shame! And if there will be fewer foreign students applying it will
affect the Swedish students a lot; they will not obtain the same
broad perspective and they will lose the input from all different
cultures.
I also think the fact that the school is located here in Umeå is
positive, because there are no disturbing factors. It&s a mixed
blessing, but I think it is mostly positive that the isolation
makes you focus on your studies. The school becomes the home for
many of the students; when I studied at UID, we were here round the
clock. Luckily, we had the Friday pubs and such, as relaxation...
It is quite exotic for the outsiders, coming here to this intense
cold.
Is there anything you would like to improve at Umeå Institute
of Design?
Since I am only here about five days per year, I guess it is
difficult to see those things. When I studied here I might have
seen the school as too small and that it lacked some resources, but
now these resources exist and everything is so much better; more
international students, better facilities, and the Arts Campus on
the way. I hope they will take the opportunity to exchange and find
ways to collaborate with each other between educations and
departments.
What do you think are the reasons for the good reputation of
UID?
The scope of internationality, the facilities with the
equipment, the existing conditions for creativity. Mainly, I think
the reason is the close cooperation with the industry, this is what
separates UID from other educations I know about. The fact that
companies come in and sponsor projects at the school: it makes it
so much more realistic, and as a student you are so committed to
the project, in a whole different way when you have an actual
"client". The students really drive themselves to the extreme to
deliver something brilliant. Furthermore, the contacts in the
industry that you acquire through these projects are
invaluable!
What will you be doing in ten years?
I truly hope I am still where I am today, although I hope I will
have developed and made an impression on the brand I am working
with. I really enjoy my work.
