Articles on design

Autonomous passenger ferry concepts are already in operation and are expected to become an everyday reality. Ensuring a similar or improved level of operation and safety compared to traditional ferries, is key to broader acceptance and adoption of this concept.

What if the places we live and work in could affect more than just our moods — what if they could influence the very health of our brains? This is the question driving Cleo Valentine, Senior Researcher and Innovation Lead at RISE, and PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge. Her research sits at the crossroads of architecture, neuroscience, and immunology, in the emerging field of neuroarchitecture.

Robotic additive manufacturing might sound like something confined to the world of high-tech labs or niche industries, and until recently, that assumption wouldn’t have been far off the mark. But in the past few years, the technology has made impressive leaps forward, and it’s now being trialled in a wide range of fields.

The concept of "disability adaptation" that emerged in Sweden in the 1970s has now evolved into the more inclusive approach of universal design. By designing products and services with accessibility in mind from the outset, we create a more inclusive society for everyone. The hygiene brand Tork has embraced this philosophy and proudly achieved the world’s first Design for All certification (EN 17161).

Innovative foods can make a difference to both the climate and health - but only if they are actually chosen and eaten. In a facility where new ingredients are processed into products such as sausages, mince and burgers, researchers are using advanced analytical methods and a taste-testing panel to pave the way for success at consumer level.

Circular products and services that are received with little interest are not doing much for the green transition. New research shows what it takes to create circular offers that customers actually want.

The New European Bauhaus (NEB) is an initiative by the EU Commission that aims to harness the potential in culture and the creative sectors of architecture, art, and design to ramp up climate action efforts. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has stated that “If the European Green Deal has a soul, then it is the New European Bauhaus, which has led to an explosion of creativity across our Union.”

Five massive wave-shaped benches crafted from biobased materials, designed to withstand lakeside weather and winds for years to come. Could they be 3D printed? Yes, said Fraunhofer. With a little help from a friend.

What will the future of construction look like? How can the currently linear value chain for housing construction become circular? Can industrially produced wooden houses be the answer and contribute to a shift towards a more circular construction sector with increased reuse?

An industrially manufactured innovative facade system for sustainable renovation for the ROT sector is under development. The goal is a system that is easy for architects to use through a digitized design process in the design and planning process and attractive to different properties' design and appearance based on different cases of additional insulation.

The computer games industry has a technological maturity and a unique innovation process that could drive the Swedish economy and public sector forward. But Sweden must first welcome the industry into the big leagues.

Alfa Laval, global provider of products in the areas of heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling, has been part of the Application Center for Additive Manufacturing at RISE since it started. Eager to accelerate their adoption of additive manufacturing (AM), they frequently utilize the centre to test new solutions.

How can we combine circularity with a sustainable business model? This was a question that Andreas Mattisson of furniture company EFG had given a great deal of thought to. It was only after chancing on a lecture on future adaptive design by Thomas Nyström of RISE that the pieces began to fall into place. 

Society's e-services are for everyone but miss a large part of the target group. Our oldest citizens in particular do not take full advantage of digitalization. Services need to be developed to a greater extent for those who have the most difficulty in using the solutions. “Think more norm-critically,” urges Melinda From, innovation and process leader at RISE.

When people know what they should do to live sustainably, but still do the opposite, is there any way to get them to rethink and do the right thing? The answer is yes – a nudge in the right direction can produce really good results. Penny Bergman, unit manager at RISE, explains why.

Are we going to play games – at work? The answer is yes: using mechanisms from the world of games can serve as a powerful tool to change people’s behaviour for the better. However, if you do not know what you are doing, there is a risk that the results will be the exact opposite. RISE researcher László Sall Vesselényi explains what needs to be considered to ensure that gamification creates commitment instead of resulting in frustration.