emilie Brand Ahlström
Industrial Design BA (Hons)
Umeå Institute of Design
Graduates: 2025
Specialisms: Industrial Design / Sustainable Design / Product Design
My location: denver, united states
emilie Brand Ahlström
First Name: emilie
Last Name: Brand Ahlström
University / College: Umeå Institute of Design
Course / Program: Industrial Design BA (Hons)
Graduates: 2025
Specialisms: Industrial Design / Sustainable Design / Product Design
My Location: denver, united states
Website: Click To See Website
About
Hey! I’m Emilie, a Swedish industrial designer and dual citizen of the USA and Sweden. I recently graduated with a degree from Umeå Institute of Design in Sweden and completed an exchange semester at ArtCenter College of Design in California.I’m passionate about creating thoughtful, functional products that blend purpose with storytelling. With a background in graphic design and a strong focus on product development and CMF, I bring together my love for sustainable design and a belief that every product should embody longevity, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility.My work aims to bridge the gap between human centered design and sustainable innovation, ensuring each product has a meaningful life cycle, from creation to end-of-life.As a keen traveler and trend enthusiast, I draw inspiration from diverse cultures and experiences, which fuel my user centered approach. I thrive in both collaborative and independent environments and am excited to contribute to a future where form, function, and sustainability come together seamlessly.
This project bridges product design and transportation design, exploring how we might create a modular, sustainable, and ergonomic interior for the next generation of electric commercial seaplanes. The work was done in collaboration with the Swedish startup HydroAerospace, developing electric hydrofoiling seaplanes for regional travel along Swedens coastal areas. Unlike many traditional design processes, Hovvi began with a CMF-driven approach, prioritizing lightweight materials, sustainability, and lifecycle thinking from the very beginning, rather than starting with form and aesthetics. The result is a space-efficient cabin and an adaptable seating configuration inspired more by flexible office seating instead of conventional transportation layouts, designed to enhance passenger comfort, usability, and adaptability for this new type of travel experience. This project challenged me to explore future mobility, circular materials, and user-centered design in depth, and I’m incredibly proud of where it landed. I’m truly grateful for the insights I gained through all interviews, field research, and collaborations throughout this journey!! It’s been a challenging and rewarding ride and it’s only deepened my passion for sustainable innovation.
Competitions
