Design schools are where the next generation of creatives learn new skills and hone existing talents in the pursuit of a career at an OEM, supplier, consultancy or perhaps their own independent studio. The Umeå Institute of Design in Sweden frequently ranks as one of the most popular destinations, and in 2021 claimed top spot in the Red Dot Ranking for a record sixth consecutive year.

Demian Horst is the head of the Umeå Institute of Design and over the last six months or so has been teeing up Alessandro Argenio to take over the Transportation Design course which Horst once led. At this year’s degree show held on site at the Institute’s quaint riverside campus, CDN caught up with both academics to learn more about its approach to design education and why students flock here from around the world.

Car Design News: How has Umeå got to where it is now? Out in the sticks of Northern Sweden, Umeå is an unexpected place to find one of the world’s top design schools.

Demian Horst: That’s been part of its success story, but there are so many other elements. It is a relatively young design school compared to those we are usually ranking with. We were…