Here you can meet current and former participants in Young Swedish Design to hear their opinions on the award!

"For me, Ung Svensk Form was one of the few stepping stones out of school and into the adult world of design and the importance of such platforms cannot be underestimated. It is also a project with social qualities. Through the exhibition, I met colleagues of the same age outside my own Konstfack bubble and new networks were created that are still valuable today. Today, the exhibition is inspiring to visit as it gives a good picture of the direction in which the movement towards the future is heading and which people will be involved in shaping it."

Matti Klenell was a member of Ung Svensk Form in 1999 with his contribution Rail and in 2000 with his contribution Enlightment. Today he is one of Sweden's most prominent designers. Matti Klenell was involved in designing the National Museum's new restaurant, bar and café for the museum's reopening in 2018. The project resulted in around eighty new products for what became the collection "NM& - A New Collection", made by around 20 different producers.

"Through Young Swedish Design, many doors have opened and my network has expanded. I have had the opportunity to show my creations all over Sweden, meet Queen Silvia herself and exhibit in the USA. Ung Svensk Form has given me fantastic experiences to remember and more confidence in my work, which has led me to quit my full-time job to work more with my creation with safety pins. "

Tonje Halvorsen participated in Young Swedish Design 2019 with the contribution Obsession. Obsession was one of the entries that was shown at House of Sweden in Washington DC in 2020.

Rebecca Ahlstedt was a member of Young Swedish Design 2004. That year, her Rocking Chair, which merges a mass-produced low-value object with a new metal structure to explore how we attribute value to objects, was awarded. Over the years, the project has been shown at Arcade Design/FR, Villa Noialles/FR, Hessen Design/DE, Die Gestalten Verlag/DE and Stockholms Auktionshus/SE. Rebecca Ahlstedt works interdisciplinary in interior design and design and is a lecturer at Interior Architecture and Furniture Design at Konstfack. Rebecca Ahlstedt advises you to apply to Ung Svensk Form!

"Ung Svensk Form has this year really shown how important it is to have committed people who are passionate about Swedish design. It is so inspiring to both see and be part of how Ung Svensk Form has managed to transform this unpredictable situation into a unique experience of design. It has really meant a lot to me to be included and highlighted in the common context and I encourage everyone to apply for USF 2021!"

Lisa Lindh participated in Young Swedish Design 2020 with the contribution Kolonn, which she created together with Klara W Hedengren. The two were also appointed IKEA scholars and were during the fall of 2020 on a working scholarship at IKEA of Sweden in Älmhult.

Jan Klingler participated in Ung Svensk Form 2019 with the entry Bacteria Lamps. The lamps attracted a lot of attention both in Sweden and internationally and they have been popular at auctions at both Bukowskis and Stockholms Auktionsverk.

Märta Mattsson participated in Ung Svensk Form 2011 with the contribution Rebirth. She is currently featured in the exhibition Misschiefs and was also curator of the exhibition The Goose That Laid The Golden Egg at Nääs Konsthantverk in the summer of 2020. Märta Mattsson's designs are represented in the collections of the National Museum of Sweden and MAD, Museum of Art and Design, New York.

"Ung Svensk Form was an important chance for me to showcase my ideas in design after my studies at Konstfack. It was an important step in building confidence and an opportunity to develop ideas together with other participants and with the support of the very important organization Svensk Form. I would recommend everyone to apply, it's a great opportunity!"

Martin Thübeck participated in Young Swedish Design 2019 with the Lobster seating furniture. In the same year, Martin was also awarded the IKEA scholarship within the framework of Young Swedish Design.

"Being a Young Swedish Design winner for a year was amazing! I was so proud to represent Swedish design both nationally and internationally at the various exhibitions. I was lucky enough to go to Tokyo and exhibit, which was an experience in itself. As a new design student, getting this support from such an important organization as Svensk Form gave me both confidence and a boost in my career. I have also made contacts with other designers that I will benefit from for the rest of my life."

Stina Randestad participated in Ung Svensk Form 2019 with her fashion contribution Hybrids. In 2020, her work Hairy Dress was selected by Beyoncé and her team for the newly launched visual album Black is King. Photo: Johan Eldrot[arve /]