Responsibilities
Teaching:
I teach “Strategic Design” and “Design Assignments” in the Bachelor's program in Visual Communication, “Design Leadership” in the EVU Executive Master of Management at USN School of Business, and “Idea Generation and Evaluation, putting novelty into context.” in the Master's program Innovation Technology Management (ITM). In addition, I give lectures and conduct workshops upon request.
My teaching is practice-oriented, interdisciplinary, and business-focused, aiming to help students understand both organizational and customer needs while preparing them for real-world challenges in the design field. I am also passionate about how design methods can be applied as strategic tools to drive innovation and create value across various organizations and industries in both the private and public sectors.
Strategic Design (15 ECTS) This course, aimed at second-year Bachelor's students in Visual Communication, teaches students to work strategically with design. Through a strategic design process, students develop packaging design for a consumer product with the potential to become more sustainable, user-friendly, and future-oriented. The teaching is organized into two intensive three-week sessions.
Design Assignments (15 ECTS) In this course, third-year Bachelor's students in Visual Communication work on real-world design projects for companies, organizations, or research initiatives. The project is conducted full-time over three months, from January to March.
Design Leadership (15 ECTS) This course involves leading the development, application, and management of design to promote innovation and value creation in the private or public sector. The "Design Leadership" course can be taken as a standalone program or as part of the Executive Master of Management program at USN School of Business.
Idea Generation and Evaluation (7.5 ECTS) This Master's course is part of the Innovation Technology Management (ITM) program. It introduces methods for creativity and creative problem-solving processes as essential tools for entrepreneurship and innovation.
Competences
My Background:
I have many years of experience in the design industry, where I have led design agencies both in partnerships and as an independent entrepreneur. My clients have ranged from startups to medium-sized companies and large, well-known brands. My work has primarily focused on developing brand identities that strengthen both brand recognition and competitiveness. Alongside my design practice, I have conducted courses, lectures, and guest lectures, as well as served as examiner at several design education institutions in Norway.
I have also been actively involved in various professional roles, including serving as Chair of Grafill – the Norwegian Organization for Visual Communication (2008–2012) and as Deputy Chair of Kopinor's Election Committee (2012–2017).
Strategic Design:
My core expertise lies in the strategic development of design, which involves creating and applying design that is rooted in a company's overarching strategy. The goal is to help organizations realize their strategies and achieve their goals, whether that means strengthening competitiveness or creating other forms of value. Strategic use of design can also be driven by a clear design ambition, where design becomes an integral part of the organization's overall strategy.
Strategic Design Process:
A strategic design process incorporates strategy as part of the design development or problem-solving process. In this context, design is seen as problem-solving, process, and strategy, rather than merely styling or form-giving. A strategic design process includes the use of strategic and creative processes and methods across disciplines and professions.
Bridging Strategy and Design:
The challenge in the strategic development of design is to connect strategy and design. The key lies at the intersection of analytical and creative approaches.
I am always interested in collaborations that explore new ways of linking strategy and design. Feel free to contact me for potential research projects or other partnerships!
Expertise:
Strategic and business expertise: Business strategy, Business development, Competitive strategy, Communication strategy, Strategy development, Strategic design, Strategic communication, Strategic development of design, Value creation
Branding and identity: Corporate identity, Service design, Product identity, Packaging, Branding, Brand building
Design leadership: Design management, Process management, Project management, Design effectiveness
Design methodology: Design thinking, User-centered design, Design processes, Problem identification, Problem definition, Problem-solving
Insight and analysis: Situational analysis, Research methodology, Design research, Design theory
Creative processes: Creative processes, Innovation, Brainstorming, Workshops
Design expertise: Design development, Graphic design, Identity design, Logo design, Visual identity, Typography, Aesthetics, Sustainable design, Ethical design
Communication: Strategic communication, Visual communication, Marketing, Media and communication
Legal protection: Intangible properties, Legal protection, Registered trademarks
CV
Education:
2012
Professor of Visual Communication and Graphic Design.
Professor qualifications awarded by an international expert committee in March 2012, under the direction of Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHiO).
1977–1981
Diploma/Final Thesis. The National College of Art and Design (SHKS), now Oslo National Academy of the Arts (KHiO).
1973–1976
Examen Artium (High School Diploma). Fagerborg Gymnasium, Oslo.
Research groups:
RAAD – Research in Arts and Design, University of South-Eastern Norway (Member): RAAD is a research group at USN focusing on didactic research and artistic research, established by the Visual Communication program.
Marketing Management, University of South-Eastern Norway (Associate member): The research group focuses on a managerial perspective and a holistic approach to research questions, theory, and research methodology. The following research disciplines are represented in the group: Marketing, Psychology, Sociology, Finance, Statistics, Visual Design, and Social Sciences.
Projects:
2017–2020 Erasmus+ “Go Demo”
An EU-funded project focusing on democracy and human rights. Collaboration between Norway, Italy, Germany, Poland, and Sweden. "Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices."
2015–2018 Erasmus+ “HETYA” (Heritage Training for Young Adults)
An EU-funded project aimed at establishing museums as arenas for work and learning for NEETs (young adults not in employment, education, or training) in Europe. Collaboration between Norway, Italy, Bulgaria, and Sweden. Involvement of students through Master's and Bachelor's theses, as well as the development of an app called “Wanted”, which served as the project's final deliverable. The results were presented at a conference in Livorno, Italy, in July 2018.
2014–2015 Educult An interdisciplinary development project that included the fields of visual communication, history/cultural heritage, IT technology, and pedagogy/skills development. Funded by incentive grants from USN, University of South-Eastern Norway, it led to the initiation of the Erasmus+ project HETYA.
CV:
Feel free to contact me at wanda.grimsgaard@usn.no if you would like a full CV sent to you.