MSPI alumni Archives - MSPI - Master's in Sustainable Product-Service System Innovation

Aaron Lewis

Christian Johansson — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 18:21:10 +0000

“Pay attention to what you are drawn to. Make moves long before school ends to find out about what opportunities are out there and what the gap is for you to secure such opportunities.”

We meet our alumni Aaron Lewis and catch up on his progress since finishing the MSPI program.

Aaron Lewis

Hi! Who are you?

My name is Aaron Lewis. I’m from Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada; which is on Canada’s east coast. I currently live in Moncton, New Brunswick – a small bilingual city close to PEI.

I’m currently the Product Manager at alongside.com, a software-as-a-service company with a mission to help employers and applicants better discover each other. We were three people when I joined three years ago. We’re now 13 and we’ll be growing soon again. The journey from where we were as a company when we started to where we are today has been an incredible ride.

Aaron and his team at alongside.com

My partner is Amanda Hachey, who also went to BTH. She graduated from MSLS program in 2010. When I returned to Canada, both from the same area and both being alumni from BTH we wanted to connect. We met and the rest is history! Choosing BTH has brought me many great fortunes but Amanda is by far the treasure the cherish the most. We’re getting married this summer!

When did you attend the MSPI program at BTH?

I started in the fall of 2010 and I said goodbye to Karlskrona and the many friends I made there in the summer of 2012.

MSPIers skating on the frozen sea

What did you do before the MSPI program?

I studied Computer Science in my undergrad. My first work experience in that field was in a dank basement. I learned a lot from that experience but I was unhealthy and unfulfilled. After that, I wanted to get away from that and tried to do a career change. I was interested in environmental issues but I didn’t know how I could contribute and I struggled to find work. I went back to school for a bit but I more or less went from job to job with some travel mixed between there until I found the MSPI program.

I was immediately very interested when I found the MSPI program. I was struggling to find work, let alone something that I enjoyed or that had impact. The MSPI program offered me to gain employable skills in a profession that would have the impact that I wanted to have on the world.

“The MSPI program does a good job of connecting with industry and trying to understand its needs. Exposing students to a greater variety of industries is key.”

Did the MSPI program deliver on that promise?

It did. It gave me everything that I needed at that time. It didn’t give me full the technical skill set that I was expecting. It did give me many processes and tools though that I use on a daily basis in both personal and professional contexts. It also gave me confidence in myself. It gave me a peer and mentor network that believed in me. And who to this day continue to inspire me. It also got me interested in startups and transportation issues by way of my thesis, which paved the way from BTH to where I am today. I am very grateful for what I gained through the MSPI program.

What was your thesis on?

My thesis with Mark Simmons was on peer-to-peer (P2P) carsharing. We mapped out, analyzed and made recommendations on how companies in the space could improve the user experience. P2P carsharing was very new on the scene in early 2012 so it was really cool to be the first in the world documenting this new industry that was changing transportation systems and opening up doors for new business models. The MSPI staff was tremendously supportive in setting us up with the world’s foremost scholar on carsharing, based out of UC Berkley, as a secondary advisor for our thesis.

Aaron Lewis and Mark Simmons discussing their thesis with Professor Tobias Larsson

What did you do after you finished the MSPI program?

I returned home. Originally, I had the intention of returning to Sweden after a few months. When I arrived home, a couple friends were starting a ridesharing service, Maritime Rideshare. Essentially the same thing as BlaBlaCar in Europe. My friends asked me to join the team. We got some government funding shortly after. The next year and a half of my life were dedicated to making Maritime Rideshare a success.

We weren’t able to make it financially sustainable for ourselves in the end but it was fantastic learning experience. I learned so much in that year and a half about starting a business, coding, design, marketing, accounting and people relations. Maritime Rideshare was acquire by Pop a Ride about a year ago so the service that we started is now part of a ridesharing community that spans coast to coast.

“A lot of the curriculum was centred on “process”. That process has become ingrained in me and has helped me many times over. Everything we do is at some stage within that process, being aware of that context has been very helpful in my thinking.”

How have the skills and experience you gained from the MSPI program helped you in your career?

The MSPI program gave me a full range of skills to start my career. All assignments were done in groups of a whole variety of sizes which made for a fantastic learning experience to work with different personality types and backgrounds in a team environment. Succeeding in business is all about people relations and I owe a lot of credit to the MSPI program for what I learned about myself and other people, in my time there.

A lot of the curriculum was centred on “process”. We were given open ended projects. They were challenging but rewarding. Our team had to collaborate and navigate from ideation to converging on a shortlist of ideas to researching and prototyping and for some assignments implementing. That process has become ingrained in me and has helped me many times over. Everything we do is at some stage within that process, being aware of that context has been very helpful in my thinking.

The other big thing for me was that we did a lot of presentations, which I didn’t have a lot of experience with previous to MSPI. Public speaking isn’t something that I’m naturally comfortable with so working on that comfort level was really beneficial. I would not have been able to present to a roomful of investors for Maritime Rideshare a year later if not for that experience.

MSPI/MSLS party

What are some of the memories that you have from your time at BTH and in the MSPI program?

Definitely some of the funnest parties and times I’ve ever had were in Karlskrona. The MSPI and MSLS program just seem to attract year after year of the most wonderful people. Aside from all the laughs we had I was inspired by them to love myself more, to love life more and to give gratitude for life’s gifts by living each more fully.

“Sweden is an amazing country. Soak it up while you can. Or stay!”

Why did you choose MSPI and BTH?

I just had a sense that it would be more applied and less theoretical than other programs I was looking at. I really wanted a program that delivered a solid skill set that would help me be industry-ready.

Which was your favourite courses or sessions in the MSPI program?

The sessions on Design Thinking were great. We did some workshops on biomimicry which were super interesting. We did a project with Dynapac that was really cool. They’re a global road paving construction equipment company headquartered in Karlskrona.

Since our thesis was technically a course, I’d have to say that was probably my favourite course. I loved the flexibility it offered and I just really enjoyed the work we were doing.

“The MSPI program focuses on several major trends that already are and will continue to be for a long time at the forefront of shaping our collective future. Those that understand these trends and their associated toolsets will be the ones who forge this future.”

Volvo Aero visit

The key areas for the program is Sustainability/sustainable development, Product-service systems and Innovation. How do you think engineers can benefit from mastering these perspectives?

Engineers can benefit immensely from these concepts. The MSPI program focuses on several major trends that already are and will continue to be for a long time at the forefront of shaping our collective future. Those that understand these trends and their associated toolsets will be the ones who forge this future.

What would you recommend our current and future students to think about while studying and preparing for the real life?

Being able to communicate with others is incredibly important. Take the time to hone this skill.

Pay attention to what you are drawn to. Make moves long before school ends to find out about what opportunities are out there and what the gap is for you to secure such opportunities. Life and cashflow come quick after school. Don’t be afraid to ask. It’s hugely advantageous to reach out to people who work at companies or organizations you are interested in, before you graduate. You’ll find people are more open to talking (and impressed) when you ask before you are looking for (read: in need of) a job. You’ll learn where the opportunities are (and where they aren’t). They’ll also give you direction and tips on your next steps of how to secure the type of job you want.

Sweden is an amazing country. Soak it up while you can. Or stay!

MSPI 2012 team and teachers

What should we in academia – educating tomorrows engineers and leaders – focus on to be relevant for the real life of industry?

A lot of academia struggles with knowing the needs of industry. Relatively speaking, the MSPI program does a good job of connecting with industry and trying to understand its needs. I still think there’s room for improvement though. Exposing students to a greater variety of industries is key.

“Karlskrona is a beautiful little town with amazing and beautiful people. You will not regret spending one or two years of your life there.”

Sightseeing in Karlskrona

Is there anything else in particular from the education in MSPI that you would like to highlight?

Karlskrona is a beautiful little town with amazing and beautiful people. You will not regret spending one or two years of your life there.

More pictures

The post Aaron Lewis appeared first on MSPI - Master's in Sustainable Product-Service System Innovation.

Carolina Villamil

Christian Johansson — Sun, 26 Jun 2016 12:03:19 +0000

“I suggest students to be intensely involved in the projects with the companies. Learning by doing is very effective to understand and apply the concepts. Learning from the achievements and the mistakes is the best way of education.”

In this segment of meeting our MSPI alumni, we’re now reacquainting ourselves with Carolina Villamil of the MSPI 2012 class.

Carolina Villamil

Hi! Who are you?

My name is Carolina Villamil, I am a Colombian Industrial designer, working both in industry and academia. Most of the time I have been a professor in several universities in Colombia. My main field of teaching is the basic concepts of design, and the design and development of sustainable products and services.

Which years did you study MSPI?

I did my Master from 2010 to 2012.

What are you currently working with?

I am working as a part time professor in two Universities in Colombia, Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano and Politecnico Grancolombiano. In the first one I work with first-year students to develop their creativity capabilities and give them the basic tools to design. In the second University I have the opportunity to guide students through the product Life cycle Assessment (LCA) and next they propose solutions for all the steps of the cycle.

Besides I am a consult in a Colombian company that focuses on development of bus parts, called Transtec Diseño e Ingenieria. In this company I have developed some design projects focused on holistic and sustainable solutions.

In my free time, I design board games focused on sustainable issues in order to involve different stakeholders in the solution of these challenges and show them possible actions to take.

Carolina Villamil

How has your experience and the skills you learnt at MSPI helped you in your career?

All the information and experiences I got from MSPI have been very useful in my career and in my life. Many of my students have learned about Product service system (PSS), product Life cycle Assessment (LCA), co-design, and their application. One of the best contribution is sharing and multiplying this knowledge to the future social designers and entrepreneurs.

In 2014 I started a Sustainable Development Research. The results are presented in some Industrial Design Lectures and events at Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano. The name of the two articles are: “Drilling territories: Extraction, sustainability, sovereignty and co-design in the South” and “Sustainable Product Service System (PSS) in European context and its relation with South context”. I will published them on the University academic material in 2017.

From 2013 to 2015 I was part of workshops that guide students to develop projects on social innovation and community wellbeing. The knowledge that I got form the Master was a very important key to guide the student’s projects, focusing them on: human-centered design, ethnography, design thinking, sustainability-driven innovation, PSS, and many other useful approaches.

On MSPI

Coming back to your experience as a student at BTH, what are some of the memories that you have from your time at BTH and in the MSPI program?

Being in BTH was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot, met new people, knew about different cultures, and many worthy things.

For a class called Systems Engineering, we developed a project with the partnership of BTH, called “Bike sharing system”. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with people in the University, and offer them a project that can be useful for the community, their culture, and the environment. It had useful results for the staff in BTH, offering a whole picture of the system, giving them new ideas to implement, create nets of collaboration, and many positive aspects for the development of future projects.

In most of the classes at MSPI we had to develop a project with a company or an organization. It was a good experience, but at the same time it was a big challenge to manage the group, the expectations, and the requirements of the company. In the group we tried to do our best effort. In a project developed for Swedish company Dynapac (now Atlas Copco), we worked very hard to develop a very creative proposal. For that reason I got the Global Swede award by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs in May 2012. I got it for excellence in areas of innovation and entrepreneurship. I got the award in the name of all the members of the group who worked very hard.

Carolina Villamil with Dynapac Prototype

One of the activities that really changed my way of solving problems was the Art of hosting. It was about leadership, problem solving, networking creation, engagement, etc. Besides of learning, I met and shared with people from different cultures, perspectives, backgrounds, expectations, etc. It was a very significant activity, because it shaped me as an individual acting in a collective way. It was the opportunity to understand the importance of working in groups to empower and engage stakeholders in order to accomplish effective, valuable, and lasting solutions.

Many of the staff was very close, friendly, intelligent, and easy going. Tony Thompson, Tobias Larson, Zaida, and many other teachers and instructors were very supportive and charismatic. One thing that makes MSPI and BTH very valuable is the staff. I know that many of the teachers are new, but they try to choose competent, experienced, and sociable people.

Why did you choose MSPI and BTH?

When I first saw the name and the focus of the program (2009), I liked the name and its structure. Besides, in my country, design is separated from most of the disciplines. But the opportunity of being part of a multidisciplinary program was a very good opportunity (in Colombia design belongs to Art department and MSPI is in a different department: Mechanical Engineering). Sustainability is a very recognized topic in BTH research. For that reason it looked motivating and indispensable.

Which was your favorite course on the MSPI program?

Most of the courses were very good and useful, it depends on your expectations, background, etc. Many of the topics were fascinating and convenient. As a professor, I apply them in my classes fruitfully. Extreme PSS Innovation and Creativity courses were my favorites. We had the opportunity to develop projects with Swedish companies in multidisciplinary and multicultural groups. It was an excellent experience to be very creative and apply our knowledge and skills with real problems in industry and in different organizations.

Tell us what your Master Thesis was about?

I did the Master Thesis with Sabine Mukase. The title was Product Service System: Co-Designing for Social Impact. We wanted to create a sustainable PSS proposal for an organization called “Bushman Living organization” (they work with the application of permaculture in some regions in Africa). In the research we found that it was necessary to approach to the context. Being involved with the community, engaging in active participation of stakeholders, and many other actions is very useful to develop lasting and valuable sustainable solutions for the low income communities. Additionally, we evaluated and analyzed several products that poorly solved the real needs of the communities. We studied several design approaches to tackle the sustainable, social, and economic challenges of the communities. For that reason the research focused on developing 10 actions to co-design for community well-being in low income countries.

The key areas for the program is Sustainability/sustainable development, Product-service systems and Innovation. How do you think engineers can benefit from mastering these perspectives?

Students can learn and apply different tools and approaches, such as: Framework for strategic sustainable development FSSD (Natural step), Product service system, Human Centered Design, Design thinking, Life cycle Assessment, Collaboration and engagement, networking, Holistic perspective, among many others.

For me, many topics were completely new. For example, Product Service System (PSS), Cradle-to-cradle, and product Life cycle Assessment (LCA). The PSS concept helped me to understand to focus more in the use or the experience instead on the ownership of the products. It means that it is not necessary to own a product to solve a need. That there are many sustainable means to solve needs in different ways.

The product Life Cycle Assessment and the Cradle-to-cradle approaches were very useful to understand the importance to contemplate all the steps in the product life cycle and how it is necessary to close the loop.

What would you recommend our current and future students to think about while studying and preparing for the real life?

I suggest students to be intensely involved in the projects with the companies. Learning by doing is very effective to understand and apply the concepts. Learning from the achievements and the mistakes is the best way of education.

The connections that BTH have with different universities, organizations, and companies are meaningful. It is possible to know the processes deeply, to understand the management and requirements of the organizations. In my case, I had the opportunity to connect to another university. I did a course in the summer break called “All just Rubbish” Sustainability Summer School in 2011 at ETH in Zurich, Switzerland. Here the focus was on food packaging and on the themes of green product design, waste, and material life cycles.

Carolina Villamil

What should we in academia – educating tomorrows engineers and leaders – focus on to be relevant for the real life of industry?

I consider that some topics can be developed and apply deeply. One of them is Biomimicry, which takes nature as inspiration. It is a wonderful idea to look and research the way how nature have solved problems in a very effective way, with few resources, and without wasting or damaging the equilibrium of the systems. Nature is perfect, nothing is considered as waste, everything is connected, and everything has a purpose. It is concept that can complement the PSS proposals in a very creative and sustainable way.

Is there anything else in particular from the education in MSPI that you would like to highlight?

The connection with the MSLS-program was great. We shared many classes and projects. It is not the same program, but both have many things in common and can be complemented. I learned a lot from the close academic and social relationship.

I had the opportunity to be part of the University choir. It was a great opportunity to know about the Swedish culture and to meet new people. It was wonderful to meet different people who were together for the same passion: music!

Carolina Villamil in Karlskrona

Living in Sweden was a very meaningful experience. I learned a lot about many things: sustainability, innovation, culture, etc. People were very friendly, the teachers and the staff at BTH were kindly, welcoming and supportive. MSPI means for me: creativity, networking, sustainable driving innovation, collaborations, holistic perspective, realistic solutions, exploration, learning by doing, and much more. Those 2 years in Sweden was one of my best experiences so far, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to all people who were part of this experience!

The post Carolina Villamil appeared first on MSPI - Master's in Sustainable Product-Service System Innovation.

Behrad Mirafshar

Christian Johansson — Sun, 05 Jun 2016 09:00:07 +0000

Behrad Mirafshar, MSPI Alumni 2012

Hi! Who are you?

My name is Behrad Mirafshar. Born in Ahvaz, Iran. Moved to Teheran, the capital at the age of 12. Tehran is a boiler plate. Many people live and hustle everyday to make it. Kind of NYC but in the middle east.

My background is in mechanical engineering. I always fascinated how things work on the root level. Fluids mechanics fascinated me the most. I did study that.

Which years did you study MSPI?

2010-2012

Starting up BYEBUY

Tell us a little bit about BYEBUY, what is it?

BYEBUY is a revolutionary concept aim to free us from blind consumption. Instead of buying to own, rent and send back anytime you don’t need the product. We’re designing a system that circulates products among its member. A community as big as global society.

ByeBuy

What was your motivation for doing this?

I always wanted to do my own thing. Experiment with my own ideas, see how they pan out. After few years working in startup environment in Berlin, I came across Michael, CEO of BYEBUY in an event. He talked about his idea of renting instead of buying, circular economy and sharing economy and instantly I jumped on board.

Thanks to MSPI. My studies helped a lot to get fresh perspective how the future of product/service development would look like where we’ll abandon old methods of consumption and production and seek new approaches. My study acted as a wake-up call. Pushed me to look at the world with a fresh eye.

Please tell us a little bit about the concept of the switching economy?

How I see it: The switching economy is a concept fine-tuned in digital environment where innovative products and services completely change the landscape of consumption. The switching economy is like an undo button on any interfaces. You have the option to undo your actions! You have the permission to experiment. If you don’t like this product, you don’t have to stick to it. Switch it till you find your perfect marriage!

“Our system is designed to circulate the products. A waste zero system.”

How could BYEBUY play a role to help drive sustainability?

We act as middle ground between manufacturers/retail and consumers. Our system is designed to circulate the products. A waste zero system. That’s for the start.

Our plan is to bring manufacturers more into the equation so they can be held responsible for the products when they’re getting outdated. For example, a smartphone’s average age is between 2 to 3 years. After that you need a new one!

What is your role with ByeBuy?

I am head of product. Overseeing design. And have a say in forming the brand.

How did you get involved?

From day zero. I liked the idea. Said yes. Let’s make it happen.

We’ve seen that you recently raised €1M for BYEBUY – many congratulations on this! – how do you see yourselves moving forward with the company?

We raised €1.1M on last October. Also, we’ve raised ever more than initial fund in the meantime. Don’t tell anyone

We’re entering U.S. Market on July. We’re rolling out some ground breaking features as well. I’m very excited for the future to come. Let’s see where it takes us.

How has your experience and the skills you learnt at MSPI helped you in your career?

I’m very grateful for my experiences in Sweden and studying at MSPI. It was a pleasure to learn from Tobias Larsson. He’s one of my role models to the date.

I learned many things from my study. Most and foremost, it teaches you to toughen up. This study is an open book, and an empty canvas. It pushes you to face the uncertain world. It gives you a one-pager at the beginning of a course, a lead in a company and asks you to go hustle for the rest. At the beginning, I didn’t get it. I thought it was a joke. Even said I’m wasting my time.

But oh boy was I mistaken. Because the real world is exactly the same as MSPI is designed. Uncertain! You can only count on your skills, belief in yourself, and be ready to hustle endlessly.

The MSPI experience

“Hustle. Put yourself constantly out of your comfort zone. Embrace it when you’re miserable. Embrace it when you’re weak. Constantly challenge yourself. You’re young. You have the guts. You’re secure. Push the limits. Tomorrow is too late.”

Coming back to your experience as a student at BTH, what are some of the memories that you have from your time at BTH and in the MSPI program?

Everything. Beautiful two years. Summer/spring magical. Autumn/winter Rough. You man up.

Exciting environment. Beautiful campus. Beautiful people.

Competitive educational environment. All of my classmates were absolutely curious, willing to learn and a pleasure to study with.

Tobias Larsson treated us like a man. Never forget that. Taught us how to get ready to enter the world, full of wolves and competitors. Shout-out to him.

Why did you choose MSPI and BTH?

You’ll study on a piece of land left from heavens on earth. You’ll have a great archive of knowledge and experiences to boost your skills. You’ll live in a beautiful and peaceful city. What more can I say?

Which was your favorite course on the MSPI program?

Courses that we had to work with companies. Working with Volvo was amazing.

Tell us what your Master Thesis was about?

Crowdsourcing. I was/am fascinated by the power of crowd. It’s a thriving force if it’s be used in positive way.

Recommendations for aspiring MSPIers

The key areas for the program is Sustainability/sustainable development, Product-service systems and Innovation. How do you think engineers can benefit from mastering these perspectives?

One thing I know there’s million of engineers out there. There’s million of creatives out there. Everybody can play guitar! Today’s world is about having a fresh perspective, a vision to pursue. Have that, and skills come with it. In MSPI you can pursue shaping up a fresh perspective.

What would you recommend our current and future students to think about while studying and preparing for the real life?

Hustle. Put yourself constantly out of your comfort zone. Embrace it when you’re miserable. Embrace it when you’re weak. Constantly challenge yourself. You’re young. You have the guts. You’re secure. Push the limits. Tomorrow is too late.

What should we in academia – educating tomorrows engineers and leaders – focus on to be relevant for the real life of industry?

Bring more real life cases to the academia. Academia moves slower compare to the business. It need to catch up.

Is there anything else in particular from the education in MSPI that you would like to highlight?

Those shots of Whiskies. Tobias knows

The post Behrad Mirafshar appeared first on MSPI - Master's in Sustainable Product-Service System Innovation.