Design students exhibit at Stockholm Furniture Fair
Stockholm Furniture Fair takes place 7–11 February. The second-year students from the programme Design + Change take part with their exhibition “We Hope Therefore We Do”. Their exhibition aims to inspire visitors to hopeful action and to spread a more positive view of society.
The students have produced their exhibition within the course design and pedagogy. The idea for their stand came from a strive to create something that is linked to the past, present, and future, while also symbolising light and encouraging action.
“After having discussed different ideas, we created a type of light globe and notes on which one can read what others have written before you, and then act in the present by writing something for others to read. The fact that the light reacts and shines stronger when you approach it demonstrates the strength of our presence”, says Alwa Härenstam, one of the students on the programme.
The exhibition at the fair represents Linnaeus University’s design education by demonstrating the +Change philosophy and how design is a strong force for change and development towards a sustainable society.
“The exhibition gives us the opportunity to convey the programme’s unique perspectives on goal-oriented design. We want to explore the ability to create hope through actions that can have an impact on others”, Härenstam continues.
Our vision is that the visitors will reflect on their own ability to create a bright future. By being inspired by the actions of others when taking part of the exhibition, a sense of hope, community, and positivity is created.
It is important to the students that people can become engaged in their exhibition stand and that they can hold conversations on a hopeful future.
“Our vision is that the visitors will reflect on their own ability to create a bright future. By being inspired by the actions of others when taking part of the exhibition, a sense of hope, community, and positivity is created”, Härenstam explains.
The students are pleased with their work and look forward to showing their exhibition stand outside Linnaeus University, and they are curious about what feedback they will receive.
“The process has been very smooth, the group has collaborated well, and we could stick to the prototype in every detail, without having to make any changes. Already at the vernissage we could see how welcoming our exhibition stand was, which inspired and encouraged the visitors to embrace change”, Härenstam continues.
In what way do you feel that you can contribute to change through design?
We can see that each and every one of us has the strength to contribute to long-term positive change for the future, and this can only be achieved though action. By inspiring others to hopeful action we can spread a more positive view of society”, Härenstam concludes.