Olof Schybergson has been a leading expert in the digital world for the past 20 years. His company, Fjord is an award-winning design and innovation network that acts as the middleman between human interactivity and the fast-paced world of technology.
Schybergson and his team at Fjord look to reinvent and reimagine products and services with the help of advanced digital techniques. In 2013, the visionary levitated the brand even further by joining forces with the world's largest digital agency, Accenture Interactive.
Fjord now acts as a unit within Accenture Interactive, with Schybergson as CEO while it still functions with the same mission of designing for human impact.
“I continue to lead and develop the Fjord business worldwide. Fjord's focus within Accenture is the same as prior to the acquisition: create outstanding value for clients by focusing on customer-driven design and innovation,” says Schybergson.
“We put people first, to design, build and launch experiences that redefine industries in our constantly evolving digital era. We make sense of the latest technology to design digital products and services that surprise and delight the people who use them.”
As for projects, Fjord has created a number of problem-solving designs for independent and big-name companies. Having worked with the BBC, Paypal and Adidas before incorporating data analysis, artificial intelligence, voice-activated assistants, virtual reality, augmented reality and blockchain systems into their work.
Recently, the company collaborated with Microsoft, Accenture, Avanade and ID2020 to develop a blockchain-powered system that enables 1.1bn people in distressed situations (including refugees) to create a legal and permanent identity.
Schybergson and his team look to blockchain a lot in their work as a way to bring transparency to their business and a way to show the public truthfully what they are doing.
Another project sees the data analysis aspect come into play. Called Cujo, this home security system was created to blend in with other household items yet it holds a deeper function. By combining hardware created and a mobile app they were able to develop a system that would monitor your home technology and alert users of any security breaches.
The product was designed with an interface that resembled dog eyes. When the eyes are seen as open it will alert the user as it has detected unusual activity.
“The dog emoji interface is not only cute, but also easy to understand and makes a daunting subject like Internet security feel much less intimidating for the consumer,” he says of the product's appeal.
The Garanti Bank of Turkey’s project is one that incorporates voice-activated assistants. In 2011, Fjord designed the first app for the bank which garnered over four million active users. Recently, the bank turned to Fjord once again by enlisting them to develop a voice-controlled, OS-level service and chat UI for transactions.
With this, they released MIA, a voice-based chatbot that allowed customers to perform over 200 different transactions.
“MIA allows them to perform these traditional transactions within the app in a highly customized way and tailored to their specific needs. This customization and intelligence is not something many chat and voice services, especially in banking, can yet claim,” reads the description of the project.
In 2018, his company alongside Accenture Interactive teamed up with Disney Studios for a three-year contract which will see Schybergson and his team focus on using emerging tech to create an all-around entertainment experience with the featured Disney films.
Another key part of Fjord’s success is their annual trends forecast which is seen as one of the year's most anticipated trend reports. Schybergson and his team compile a list of predictions and insights that have to do with the future of technology.
This time around they looked at the influence of technology, politics and environmental inflexion has on each other.
“Two decades of rapid technology growth and innovation has generated enormous physical and digital clutter. The steep demand on the planet’s resources mirrors the demand on our time and attention, which leads to our meta-theme this year: the search for value and relevance," he says.
According to the Fjord team, success will provide value that is relevant to not only individuals but also to the world. “Value creation will not come from simply growing bigger, but by being better. In busy lives and on a crowded planet, only the relevant will remain.”
The trend forecast is not only popular in the tech world but its relevance extends itself to the marketing industry as well. Having first knowledge of what's going on gives corporations the edge needed.
Schybergson is set to bring his insights into the digital and design world when he steps onto the Design Indaba stage this coming February. He will join over 30 other industry innovators as they come together to talk everything from art, business and technology.
Find out more about the 2019 Design Indaba Conference and buy your tickets now.
Read up on other announced speakers:
Dynamic graphic design duo Tin&Ed are set to speak at Design Indaba 2019
South African icon Thandiswa Mazwai joins the Design Indaba 2019 lineup
Nigerian fashion powerhouse Adebayo Oke-Lawal brings Orange Culture to Design Indaba 2019