Interdisciplinary Event and Experience Design is a European Solidarity Corps project bringing together a team of three creatives to explore what makes a great event great. Based out of STPLN, the team work on different creative tasks ranging from digital communication and creative direction to spatial design and logistics. And everything in between.
The Interdisciplinary Designers
Our backgrounds..
Photography
Graphic Design
Videography
Things we have done so far…
No one day is ever the same at STPLN.
Q&A Fika break…
IN-HOUSE LIFE
What is it like to volunteer at STPLN?
M : It’s great that we connect with many inspiring people. Plenty of different events and projects happening in the House everyday and it feels amazing to be part of it. It’s a good opportunity to practice what you like the most and also find new fields.
E: Volunteering here means a lot of freedom to work on projects you actually wanna do by getting support, feedback and mentorship from an amazing community. The very interdisciplinary and design oriented working environment allows to explore new fields that I’m good at.
A: It is hard to summarise the whole volunteering experience as STPLN is an extremely diverse and multi interdisciplinary hub where you can meet new interesting people everyday. There is a unique possibility to try things and learn niche skills that later you able to apply creatively or even on a more professional level.
What does a typical day look like ?
M : We don’t have a typical day. Sometimes it’s about communication (working on a computer) sometimes it’s very crafty (with the makerspace). Depends on the projects we are working on. Also, there are some projects that require teamwork and some others that we lead on ourselves. So the environment remains the same but the actual activities are very diverse and they set the kind of day we have. But there is one thing that I do everyday for sure: have a Fika.
E: Usually I decide myself what I am going to do with my day. I love the spontaneity and creative freedom. No one forces me into a specific task, which really makes me feel responsible about what I do. Right now, I am running the analogue media lab - so I develop film, set up the space, do administration, talk to people who are visiting the lab, take care of its’ social media and a bit of community building. However, there’s at least one Fika, ping pong match and good conversation a day!
A: Undoubtedly, one of the hardest questions to answer. Typically, the day starts with cycling to work, however, other than that every day is very different and there is no one clear timetable to follow. One day you might be working on producing social media content, the other, making a table in the wood workshop. Perhaps, this is the reason why I find STPLN so much: it’s fascinating, unpredictable and beautifully challenging.
What’s STPLN’s vibe ?
M : Friendly and professional at the same time. It’s a place in which you are surrounded by very kind and hard working people. STPLN makes you feel like everything is possible because of everything that happened and everything that is happening. There is always a lot going on and it’s interesting how everything is mixed together.
E: STPLN is a place which you have to experience physically. It’s more about the interactions with the people and the projects in the house. In a very loose and creative atmosphere you can chat to incredibly inspiring people and get insights into their projects. This place really inspires me to do something: when I go downstairs and see the photo studio or the big table in the co-working space, I want to create something.
A: A relaxed yet productive atmosphere simultaneously. Numerous Fikas make your day totally worthwhile and you don’t get that burn out that is possible with an average 9-5 job. The work is never boring, because your work consists of many jobs that rarely are the same. This makes working as an ESC-volunteer very diverse and much fun.
AFTER WORK
What do you do in your free time/ after work?
M : Usually I relax. But since I’m here I started to be productive during my free time. For example, I like to make music and create random stuff with my software. When it’s the weekend I like going out and meeting strangers. I often go out for a walk because I like being outside and watching what’s going on. The areas are so different, there are a lot of things to see for one single city.
E: It really depends on the day. It’s very intuitive - sometimes on Mondays I want to skate, so I just go to Bryggeriet. Then maybe I’m not good at it but I can chill for another hour in their café. What I really enjoy is going to Hypnos theatre, or meeting friends in Jesusbaren.
A: Outside work, I have been spending more time working on my personal project which consists of establishing myself as a freelance graphic designer. As it is something I am very passionate about, I love getting lost in the city centre and discovering some cute coffee places to work at. Sounds very geeky, I know.
What are your top 3 favorite spots in Malmo?
A: Ribersborg beach, local design interior studios and Möllevångstorget market.
M: Arena 305, which is a very cheap public music studio for everyone. Folkets Park, a very green and peaceful place. ICA. The best shop ever.
E: The beach is definitely my favourite place. Folkets Park has incredible trampolines haha and Pildammsparken for long Sunday afternoon walks.
MALMÖ CITY
How is it to live in Malmö? What are cool things you discovered in the city since you are here ?
M : The city is quite big, there is a lot to visit and to do. The cultural life is huge here, it’s very easy to find some activity/events that match your center of interests. The fact that you can go anywhere by bike is really enjoyable. It’s quite calm so it’s always cool to walk in the streets. Shops are open most of the time, which is a really good thing when you need to buy something late in the evening or on Sundays.
E: It’s a truly inspiring creative scene here, people really are driven by their passions to create something. You’re surrounded by so many great local exhibitions and creative events happening where everyone knows everyone, shares knowledge and supports each other. It’s an amazing feeling to be part of it. I do love Malmö a lot, but what I love the most about it is that it is close to Copenhagen, where I go to concerts or just stroll around. It feels like a completely different place. And every time I am going to Malmö when coming back from Copenhagen, it feels like going home.
A: If you are coming from a bigger city like me, then Malmö could seem a bit small at first. It is a matter of spending some free time discovering the multi cultural scene of the city. The local cultural life is that central factor in Malmö´s character into an ever-more attractive place in which to live or visit. There are many great quality restaurants and great cafés. And the shopping isn’t bad either, here you can find few local gems with authentic Swedish fashion labels.
What do you like the most about the Swedish culture?
E: I would say that it’s not too different from German culture. I like Fika and Sauna culture a lot. The Sauna culture shows that Scandinavians can relax a bit better than Germans. I am obsessed with cardamom buns though, the pastries here are amazing!
M: Fika is definitely the best cultural discovery for me. I didn’t have coffee in France, now I drink it instead of water. Of course, falafels are something you have to try, even if you’re not a big fan of fast food. In a more general way, I really appreciate the fact that this country is more open-minded about many things than in France. Finally, a great thing is that everybody has good english, even the youth.
A: What I love about Sweden the most is its innovative and sustainable outlook towards reuse and second hand shops, arts and the experimental crafts. This creates many international opportunities for stimulating crossborder collabs and exchanges, leading to a broad and diverse range of cultural activities and work for the locals.
What makes your apartment special?
E: I love the rooftop!!! In the collective house we’re living in, all the balconies are connected so I end up every Sunday morning drinking coffee with our neighbour (in case it’s sunny) which I really enjoy. However, everything’s super close and intimate in our neighbourhood, you’d always randomly meet friends on the street when you step outside the apartment.
M: I love spending time on the rooftop or on the balcony, because I can see how beautiful the collective house is. Even though we were new and unknown people when we arrived, we have been very well received by every single person we met. We could feel that it was a special neighbour relation. It’s always nice to see every kind of people living in the same place (families, old people, children, loners, us, etc…).
A: The location of our apartment is very central, near some big shopping malls and you could easily get around the city on the bike. However, the collective way of living was a totally new concept to me personally. As time went by, I learnt to appreciate our neighbours multiple attempts to teach us Swedish and communal cooking every 2 weeks. Regardless of being a bit challenging at first, I actually would say that it is the best type of accommodation an ESC’er could wish for.
