Presentation of a case under Kamis roof

It is half past eight in the morning when we step into the mini bus for departure to Kalix. Six lively students attending third year Industrial Design starts immediately to practice their presentations.
- It must not take too long. It did it yesterday when we trained, says one of the girls.

The driver for the day is Stig Karlsson. Kjell Rask is also joining the trip. Two teachers who have a strong commitment to their students.

– Today the students will present a project for a company called Kami. They make roofs for all types of properties. This case is part of the course production design, says Stig Karlsson.

What is the course about?

– You could say that it is about designing workplaces in the industry with the working environment in focus, says Stig Karlsson.

About the case

The students are divided into two groups that have looked at various aspects of production. The first has focused on ergonomics and the work performed at a station for packaging accessories for metal roofs. The second has evaluated the automated painting process and how work is organized around this.

In previous projects, the students got to work with simple evaluations of technical and social systems and information systems. The social system is about people. The information system is about communication between people.

– But at this stage of the program the students are expected to cope with complex analytics. They will also provide suggestions and recommendations for improvements in production, says Kjell Rask.

Sharp projects a profit for all

Making sharp projects is common in technical design. The program has a good partnership with industry and has worked with companies across the Norrbotten and Västerbotten.

– It's a win-win situation. Businesses get help from our students and the students can test their theories and methods in practice. Even we who teach learn new things, says Kjell Rask.

An hour down the road has passed and Stig Karlsson drives bus through the industrial area. We park outside the factory and I ask the students if they are nervous.

– No, not yet anyway!

The presentation goes very well, and management seems to like what they hear and see.

– They have become very good at presentations. But we began to drill them in the first year of training, says Stig Karlsson and fires a warm laugh.