Lia Forslund: Writer, Strategist and Design Speaker

Navigating the Intersection of Design and Strategy: The Journey of Lia Forslund

In the modern creative landscape, the line separating pure aesthetic creation from strategic business thinking has increasingly blurred. At the forefront of this convergence sits Lia Forslund, a Stockholm-born, London-based writer, speaker, and design strategist whose work explores how design is communicated, manufactured, and valued.

Bridging the Gap in Design Communication

Forslund’s path into the heart of design strategy was forged through hands-on industry experience. Having worked as a brand manager for a design manufacturer, she recognized a recurring disconnect: a distinct gap between the physical reality of how design products are engineered and manufactured, and how the broader world talks about and communicates their underlying value.

This realization shaped her professional philosophy. Rather than treating design as a superficial end-product, Forslund approaches it as a comprehensive discipline rooted in systems, quality control, and narrative. Her critical analyses and portraits of design manufacturing seek to demystify the production process, offering clear insights into why things are made the way they are.

A Multi-Disciplinary Presence

As a versatile voice in the global design community, Forslund wears multiple hats:

• Strategic Consulting & Writing: Through her writing and strategic initiatives, she investigates the mechanisms of contemporary design, shedding light on the hidden methodologies of creators and manufacturers alike.
• Moderating and Public Speaking: Forslund is frequently called upon to moderate high-profile industry dialogues—such as design talks at the Stockholm Furniture Fair—and lecture at prestigious institutions like ECAL. Her ability to steer conversations between industry leaders, students, and independent designers helps foster transparent, collaborative discourse.
• Core Foundations: With roots tying her to influential Nordic creative circles, including her background as one of the early co-founders of the prominent Stockholm-based design studio Note, she brings a deep, practitioner-level understanding of how creative collectives operate and scale.

Shaping the Future of Creative Industries

Today, as industries grapple with sustainability, shifting consumer habits, and the digitalization of luxury and retail, the role of the design strategist is more critical than ever. Lia Forslund’s work serves as a vital bridge—translating complex manufacturing realities into accessible, meaningful narratives that encourage both makers and consumers to look closer at the objects and spaces shaping our daily lives.