“The industry knows what UID students can deliver”

"I was simply applying all the tools I gained from school to my work, it felt natural” she says. "The industry knows what UID students can deliver. Many people often mention that learning truly begins once you start working, but that’s where UID stands out. Unlike other schools, UID offers the experience of collaborating directly with the industry during your studies."

Natalia Ikebara grew up in Argentina, where she studied industrial design, graphic design and user experience design. She started working in a design studio developing solutions for urban and outdoor environments, but after a while she wanted to expand her competence with a master’s degree.

She chose the Master’s programme in Advanced Product Design (APD) at Umeå Institute of Design at Umeå University, Sweden.

“Pushed out of my comfort zone”

“I always wanted to study a master’s abroad” she says. “When I started looking for universities, I ran into Umeå and the user-centred approach they offered was a piece I felt was missing in my education.”

The school's collaboration with companies, its prestigious reputation, the high quality of student projects, and the fact that many students quickly secured jobs after graduation, ultimately convinced Natalia. Natalia applied and was also granted a full scholarship to pay for tuition.

“I had a great time as a student in Umeå, but it was also quite challenging in a lot of aspects.”

Natalia found the atmosphere at UID warm, friendly and non-hierarchical – but at the same time demanding.

"I constantly felt pushed out of my comfort zone, which was a positive experience because I learned a lot. Everyone at the school has high standards, but no one is fostering competitiveness in a negative sense. All the students are so talented that it motivates you to push your own boundaries to the next level."

Degree project about training tool

During her years as a student, she worked on several projects in collaboration with companies. They spanned from air purifiers, training equipment for paramedics and firefighters to medical devices designed for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) environments.

In her degree project Natalia Ikebara developed a training tool for children with hemiplegia, loss of motor function on one side of the body. Her challenge was to design a tool that children could use to exercise at home, transforming the training experience into something playful rather than a tedious and monotonous task.

“It was important to understand what their families struggled with. Parents didn’t want to overwhelm their children with training they might end hating, knowing it would be a lifelong commitment. Kids need to be kids. Finding the right balance between training and play activities is crucial for their well-being."

Read more about Natalia Ikebara’s degree project

Natalia also did two periods of internship during her education, both in Norway. The first was with Laerdal Medical, developing a hardware-digital solution for skills training for nursing students. The second internship was at EGGS, a design agency in Oslo. Even before graduating, both companies expressed interest in hiring her.

Likes Scandinavian design approach

"I know many companies really value people from UID," she says. "They recognize the quality of work and the self-driven mindset of students. With alumni present in so many companies, this strong network only reinforces that reputation."

Natalia chose to start working at EGGS, where she has been involved in a variety of projects, from maritime, heavy industry to healthcare, consumer and child-centric products.

“The type of tasks at an agency are quite similar to what I did at school” she says. I conduct research to understand the problem, user, and market and translate those findings into key insights that later will help as a foundation to create more tangible solutions. Next, I develop concepts through brainstorming, sketching, and quick mock-ups to explore functionality and feasibility. The design is refined with 3D modelling, prototyping, and user testing. After prototyping and testing, feedback is gathered, and adjustments are made. After several rounds of iterations, the final design is frozen. Each stage is iterative, working in close collaboration with clients and different stakeholders, ensuring the design meets user needs and goals.”

Natalia has just started working at a new company, she is now Senior Industrial Designer at Fjaryl with headquarters in Stockholm. In her new job she will lead cross-disciplinary design projects in the digi physical space within med-tech, life science and consumer product ensuring innovative and user-centric solutions.

What is the most rewarding part of your work?

"What I like the most is the opportunity to work with a diverse range of projects and clients across various sectors. This allows me to continually learn and adapt, which keeps the work dynamic and fulfilling. I also enjoy working with people from different cultural backgrounds.”

Did things turn out like you thought they would when you entered the master’s programme?

“Yes, I knew it was going to be a challenging environment in the sense that I would have to push myself. But it was worth it—I grew a lot as a designer and gained much more confidence. What I didn’t anticipate, however, was how much the darkness would affect me. I had to find new ways to stay balanced and focused throughout my studies”.

Are you still in contact with the other students in your class?

“Yes, with some, I became close friends. Although we now live in different cities, I always make time to visit friends from school. There is also a large community of UID alumni here in Oslo."

What would you say to someone who is thinking of applying for an education at UID?

"They should definitely go for it! Of course, the education is challenging, but you grow significantly, both professionally and personally. You have the chance to work with and learn from incredibly talented students. The courses provide a solid foundation and practical skills that are essential for your future career. Plus, the opportunity to collaborate with major companies is truly invaluable."

Read more about the Master’s programme in Advanced Product Design

Interview: Anna-Lena Lindskog