NEWS Recent Umeå Institute of Design graduate Isabelle Olsson has been awarded the Hans Ehrich Award for Excellent Young Industrial Design, one of Sweden's most prestigious distinctions for emerging industrial designers.
Isabelle Olsson in the design studio at Umeå Institute of Design, where she developed her degree project, Flow IV.
Image Simon JönssonPresented annually to recognise exceptional young designers at the beginning of their careers, the award celebrates both design excellence and future potential. This year's award will be officially presented in Kivik on 25 September, Hans Ehrich's birthday.
For Isabelle, the recognition marks an important milestone.
"It feels incredibly rewarding and is a great honour."
A graduate of both the Bachelor's Programme in Industrial Design and the MFA in Advanced Product Design at Umeå Institute of Design, Isabelle has developed a design approach centred on understanding users' needs and translating them into meaningful solutions.
"I believe it is essential to listen carefully to users and experts, because that is how the best products and innovations are created. At the same time, designers need the ability to read between the lines and identify the real problem, so that the final design genuinely meets people's needs."
Isabelle Olsson builds prototypes for Flow IV, a degree project developed in collaboration with Getinge that explores how anaesthesia systems can be designed around Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (TIVA).
ImageUmeå Institute of DesignThis approach was a defining feature of her master's degree project, Flow IV, developed in collaboration with medical technology company Getinge. The project explored how anaesthesia systems could be redesigned around Total Intravenous Anaesthesia (TIVA), a more sustainable alternative to traditional anaesthetic gases.
Drawing on observations in operating rooms and conversations with healthcare professionals, Isabelle developed a concept for an integrated anaesthesia workstation that brings ventilation, monitoring and medication delivery together in a single system. The proposal also introduces a bottle-based infusion system that reduces plastic waste while simplifying workflows for clinical staff.
Flow IV is a concept for an integrated anaesthesia system that combines ventilation, monitoring, and medication management into a single solution.
ImageUmeå Instute of DesignThe jury highlighted both the breadth and maturity of Isabelle's work, describing it as characterised by "empathetic and methodical professionalism". They praised her ability to understand complex user needs and translate them into credible, well-developed design proposals through co-creation, rigorous process work and a strong sense of form. Particular recognition was given to her degree project with Getinge, which demonstrated a deep understanding of both healthcare professionals and the complex environments in which they work.
Looking ahead, Isabelle hopes to continue using design to create meaningful impact.
"I hope to contribute to the development of products and innovations for user groups that are often overlooked. I want to create products that make a meaningful difference in people's everyday lives."
The award arrives at an exciting moment in her career. Following graduation, Isabelle has been invited to present Flow IV at NAVAt, the annual anaesthesia conference in Belgium.
"It is a fantastic opportunity and something I am very much looking forward to."
The Hans Ehrich Award for Excellent Young Industrial Design is presented annually to recognise and encourage promising industrial designers at the beginning of their careers. The award ceremony takes place in Kivik on 25 September, Hans Ehrich's birthday.
