NEWS On June 3–4, Umeå Institute of Design presents UID25 | Design Talks & Degree Show, an exhibition of 40 student projects that reflect the evolving role of design in addressing today’s complex challenges. The event serves as both a showcase of creative work and a platform for dialogue about the future of design.
This year’s projects span a wide range of themes, including artificial intelligence, sustainable materials, virtual surgical training, and multispecies interaction. The diversity of topics reflects a broader shift in design education toward more socially and environmentally engaged practices.
One of the featured projects, Tactile XR Surgical Training by Niklas Andreasen, explores how extended reality can enhance medical education. By combining tactile feedback with immersive digital environments, the project aims to make surgical training both more engaging and more accessible. “I want to enhance immersion for surgeons in training and make their education more accessible,” säger Andreasen. “It’s about creating a more realistic and inclusive learning experience.”
Another project, Uncommon Senses by Anjuli Acharya, considers how design might support more thoughtful interactions between humans and other species. Acharya challenges the traditional human-centered approach to design and instead proposes environments that foster mutual care and connection. “We’re used to thinking of design in human terms,” säger hon. “But what if we widened that circle to include the more-than-human world?”
“UID25 is more than a graduation show,” says Demian Horst, Head of Institute at Umeå Institute of Design. “It is a platform for critical conversation and a celebration of how design can shape more inclusive, sustainable, and aspirational futures.”
The event includes live talks, physical models, installations, and digital visualizations. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage directly with the students and their work. A preview of the projects is available online in the UID25 Project Gallery.
As design continues to intersect with technology, ethics, and sustainability, events like UID25 offer a valuable look at how the next generation of designers is preparing to meet the challenges of the future.
Join the event online on June 3–4 to explore the future of design. Visit the UID25 | Project Gallery for a preview already today.