Interview
Meet Aaron from Austria
Name: Aaron Wansch
Home Country and City: Salzburg, Austria
Programme of Study: Master\'s Programme in Advanced Product Design
Personal Interests: Music, collecting records, reading, going out
Favourite thing about Umeå University: Familiar atmosphere (Institute of Design, though)
Favourite Swedish word or custom: Gofika
Three words to summarise your time in Umeå: Time-consuming, rewarding, cool (mostly climate-related)
What is your educational and professional background?
I am an Austrian product designer and a recent graduate from University of Applied Sciences Salzburg, where I have completed a bachelor in Design & Product Management with a specialisation in industrial design. Besides that, I had - within the last years - various internships in the wider area of product and furniture design. I am now focusing on product design to specifically extend my education and refine my profile.
Why did you choose to enrol in your degree programme at Umeå University?
The design education at Umeå Institute of Design has - for good reasons - built up a very good reputation and is constantly ranked amongst the world’s top design educations. Also, the firmly established human-centred design approach as well as the inherent problem solving focus of this education is something that is of great importance to me. Personally, this is what a good design education should be about.
What do you like most about your programme?
I especially appreciate the small size plus the familiar atmosphere that comes along with it. This ensures an interconnected and professional way of working, and also makes for high-quality teaching and supervision on an individual level. Also, the international orientation of the programme creates a well-balanced blend of different people, professions and both cultural and educational backgrounds.
What is the most interesting thing you learned in your programme or courses so far?
The importance of the user in the design process and how a human-centred approach can help to create truly meaningful and relevant products.
What do you do when you are not studying?
Sleeping, eating and sometimes enjoying the sweet sides of life. Design is a time-consuming profession, but also rewarding.
What is your impression of Umeå and the surrounding areas?
Umeå is literally situated on the outside, but nice and worthwile on the inside. The surrounding scenery is beautiful and offers a great variety of possibilities, both in winter and summer time.
What do you find as the biggest cultural difference, both socially and educationally, from your country with Sweden?
I am not sure if there are such big differences, but sometimes I have the impression that everything is a bit more easy-going and stress-free here in Sweden, both socially and educationally. One more (big) obvious difference when it comes to education is the grading system and the lack of clear and different marks from one to five.
What are your career aspirations?
Create meaningful products, push the envelope and constantly challenge myself, and others.
