Monika Hestad

• Hestad, Monika & Mardal, Gisle Marini (2024). Forced to design sustainable products? Proceedings of the ... DMI: Academic Design Management Conference. ISSN 2640-4702. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Killi, Steinar (2020). Samskaping til glede og besvær: Fenomenet Il Tempo Gigante, fra en tegning til en berg- og dalbane, via norgeshistoriens mest sette film. FormAkademisk - Forskningstidsskriftet for design og designdidaktikk. 13(1). doi: 10.7577/formakademisk.2959. Full text in Research Archive
• Bjørnstad, Nina & Hestad, Monika (2015). Time to Explore and Make Sense of Complexity? In Zande, Robin Vande; Bohemia, Erik & Digranes, Ingvild (Ed.), Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference for Design Education Researchers Learn x Design, Vol. 1-4. Design Research Society. ISSN 9789526000695. p. 455–468. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1200.7520. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Industrial design is in transition and there is a pressure to deal with even more intangible concepts. This leads to the introduction of new skill bases into the education. However, with inclusion of new skill bases the question is what needs to go? Using an action research framework we investigated how a university industrial design module changed when introducing more input on research and service design. We analysed the projects from two different years and asked whether the students had managed to integrate the input and if this led to more informed processes or a better result. The projects from one year had less novel solutions and less complexity than the previous year. While the students appreciated new skills that were learned, they found that their process was rushed. Lack of time to iterate and reflect affected the final outcome. Exploration develops industrial designers’ sensibility and ability to facilitate experiences, but an emphasis on formalised research led to less time to explore. In our eagerness to ‘professionalise’ the industrial design education, are we about to leave out our core skills?

• Reitsperger, Philip; Hestad, Monika & O’Reilly, John (2015). Design Thinking Stretching at the Nexus. In Zande, Robin Vande; Bohemia, Erik & Digranes, Ingvild (Ed.), Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference for Design Education Researchers Learn x Design, Vol. 1-4. Design Research Society. ISSN 9789526000695. p. 382–396. doi: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1200.7520. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The term Design Thinking has been given increasingly more attention in existing and forthcoming MBA postgraduate courses. The paradigm set is that management students will profit from practices used in design by approaching management problems like design problems. Design Thinking, however, still seems to be an enigmatic concept, in which attention is clearly focused on ‘designing for non-designers’ notably in management education rather than in design education. As it is likely there is applicability of Design Thinking in both management and design education, this paper investigates interviews with students with design background from MA Innovation Management at Central Saint Martins London, a course at the boundaries of both fields, and how they received Design Thinking during their education. With Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) the authors identified four emerging fields: (I) a shift of ownership in a plurality of interpretations, (II) a shift in self-interpretation between creative and/or analytical mind-sets, (III) a common language shared by several discourses, and (IV) the importance of exploration and pace. The results of the interviews are reconnected to the body of literature around Design Thinking and illustrate insights about the possible positions of designers in a non-design specific context.

• Hestad, Monika; Ornäs, Viktor Hiort af & Grønli, Anders (2014). Craft Brewery Brands: self-awareness through performance. In Bohemia, Erik; Rieple, Alison; Liedtka, Jeanne & Cooper, Rachel (Ed.), Proceedings of the 19th DMI: Academic Design Management Conference, London, 2–4 September 2014. Design Management Institute. ISSN 9780615991528. p. 504–529. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  New principles emerge, with brands, innovation and design being driven by passion and meaning. Companies strive to resonate with consumers, tapping into culture, myths and ideologies, but also move to becoming “citizen artists” who inspire people. Design may play a central role in this, materialising values and interpreting meaning. A product category that is seemingly localised, socially engaged, and value-oriented is craft breweries. These are often small-scale and use traditional approaches to brewing, emphasising craftsmanship and quality, based on an often rebellious but playful nature, challenging the status quo, while having a passion to learn. We aim to understand how to develop brands based on own passion and principles, while being open to influences in society. What is the role of design when establishing a craft beer brand? We conducted a comparative case study using interviews, site visits and extensive desktop research. The results are compared through a framework seeing identity as a self-image that is embodied, performed, interacted and re-negotiated in an ongoing process. Both cases actively use design and engage with their audiences, but do so with different agendas: preserving and perfecting traditions, or playfully creating new brews and scenes.

• Hestad, Monika & Brassett, Jamie (2013). Teaching ‘design thinking’ in the context of Innovation Management — from process to a dialogue about principles, Design learning for tomorrow. Design education from kindergarten to Phd.Proceedings of the 2nd international conference for design education researchers. ABM-media AS. ISSN 9788293298052. p. 2028–2043. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  There has been increased interest in design and ‘design thinking’ in recent times. This has led to the development of a number of interdisciplinary courses where non-designers have the opportunity to learn so-called ‘design thinking’. However, ‘design thinking’ is an ambiguous concept, which is challenging when trying to apply it in non-design learning and teaching contexts: notably, for this study, innovation management. The aim of this study has two aspects: first, a conceptual one, to articulate what ‘design thinking’ means in context of a design-driven approach to innovation management; and second, a more practical one, to consider how it could be taught in this context. In this paper, a seminar called ‘Design Thinking’ is analysed along with key texts within the range of design thinking discourses. This paper concludes by identifying the principles underlying ‘design thinking’ and develops a teaching framework based on these principles, by using the model of action research. This study is therefore the first stage in an on-going action research project.

• Keitsch, Martina M. & Hestad, Monika (2009). Not always a victim! On seeing users as active consumers. International Journal of Product Development. ISSN 1477-9056. Vol. 9, No. 4, 2009, p. 396–405. Full text in Research Archive
• Bjørnstad, Nina & Hestad, Monika (2009). Ambassadører for fargen oransje Ambassadors for the color orange. In Berg, Marianne Lie (Eds.), Fremtid formes : Institutt for industridesign 25 år Shaping futures : Institute of Industrial Design 25 years. Arkitektur- og designhøgskolen i Oslo. ISSN 9788254702215. p. 92–97. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2009). Changing assumption for the design process: New roles of the active end user. FormAkademisk - Forskningstidsskriftet for design og designdidaktikk. 2(2), p. 16–25. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The aim of this article is to discuss how end user involvement in all stages of a product life cycle changes the assumptions of the design process. This article is based on a literature review and three case studies – Imsdal (Ringnes/Carlsberg), Jordan and Stokke. Several examples of how consumers or users are involved in various stages of the product life cycle are presented. The product development is affected both by end users’ activity and by previous knowledge of the product. The use of the product is changing the meaning, and even the disposal of the product is affecting how the product is perceived. The product becomes part of a cultural and historical context in which the end user is actively shaping.

• Hestad, Monika (2007). Pure shape : to realise intended meaning in practice. In Feils, Loe; Kyffin, Steven & Young, Bob (Ed.), Design and semantics of form and movement. University of Northumbria. ISSN 9780954958718. p. 176–186. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2006). Merkevaremakt eller forbrukarmakt. In Nielsen, Liv Merete & Digranes, Ingvild (Ed.), DesignDialog - Kunnskapsløftet og visuell kompetanse. Høgskolen i Oslo og Akershus. ISSN 9788257945244. p. 48–58. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2005). The designer's role in building strong brands. In Nielsen, Liv Merete & Digranes, Ingvild (Ed.), DesignDialog - Design og fagdidaktiske utfordringer. HiO-rapport 2005 nr. 33. Høgskolen i Oslo og Akershus. ISSN 9788257944728. p. 57–62. Full text in Research Archive

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• Hestad, Monika (2013). Branding and Product Design: An integrated perspective. Gower Applied Research. ISBN 9781409446262. 166 p. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Why do winning brands appear to be more creative and authentic than less successful ones? Despite the strong link between famous brands and the products sold under their name, there is still a gap in understanding the relationship between product design and brand-building - Monika Hestad plugs that gap. Branding and Product Design discusses key questions about the link between product and brand and about design processes and innovation. It examines these questions on both macro and micro levels and provides the reader with tools to help understand the role of products in building a brand, and how to bring the brand and the product design process together. These are based on the author's research into branding and product design, her years of teaching these topics, and her own industrial practice. Qualitative interviews delivering an 'insider' perspective on major brands bring abstract concepts to life. The book includes case studies from well-known and up-and-coming brands and will prove invaluable to design practitioners, marketers, managers and other professionals working close to designers. It will also benefit those teaching and studying, particularly if they are involved in the new higher education programmes where business schools and design schools are co-operating to reflect the intersection between design and branding.

• Altman, Jonas & Hestad, Monika (2013). The Little Booklet on Business Design: Curiosity to strategy. Brand Valley Design Ltd. ISBN 9780957495838. 88 p. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The Little Booklet on Business Design: Curiosity to Strategy gives a short introduction to business design. Business Design provides entrepreneurs with the principles and tools designers use when turning their ideas into reality. Business Design starts with your customers' needs, incorporates your vision and learning from your own experiences. The book gives the reader the opportunity to map out the business idea through a step-by-step process. Key aspects of designing a business are explored in a fun and engaging process. The process is visually and verbally presented and will be valuable for all curious entrepreneurs.

• Hestad, Monika & Rigoni, Silvia (2013). The Little Booklet on Design Thinking: An introductory workshop. Brand Valley Design Ltd. ISBN 9780957495807. 61 p. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The Little Booklet on Design Thinking: an Introductory Workshop gives a short introduction to design thinking. Design thinking has been recognised as a management approach to innovation that is creative and practical. The book gives the reader the opportunity to engage with a 'designerly' way of working through a step-by-step process where key stages and principles are addressed. The process is visually and verbally presented and will be valuable for all industries.

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• Hestad, Monika (2025). What Brand and Design Thinking brought to an internal support function in a global organisation. doi: https:/www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-brand-design-thinking-brought-internal-support-function-m5suc/?trackingId=qk%2BOO2plFgVYWyc0uiUcPw%3D%3D. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The article reflects on how brand and design thinking can strengthen an internal support function that lacks clarity and visibility in a large organisation. By starting with insight work and shared reflection, the team created simple models that helped articulate purpose, value, and services more clearly. Brand thinking provided a common language, while design thinking enabled experimentation and dialogue across silos. A key takeaway is the importance of working iteratively and accepting imperfection to build engagement early. Ultimately, the approach helped the function gain stronger internal support and a clearer role within the organisation.

• Hestad, Monika (2025). Norwegian aquavit the most circular spirit. doi: https:/www.linkedin.com/pulse/norwegian-aquavit-most-circular-spirit-brand-valley-v0fhf/?trackingId=7t12ijEsjifgg8VDqTYilA%3D%3D. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  The article examines whether Norwegian aquavit can be considered a circular spirit by analyzing its traditional production methods and resource use. Using the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s circular economy framework, it highlights how aquavit production already aligns with principles such as renewable inputs, reuse of by-products, and long-lasting cultural value. The spirit’s potato-based origins and centuries-old practices are shown to reflect sustainability born from necessity. However, many of these circular qualities are poorly communicated both internally and externally. The article concludes that Norwegian aquavit has strong potential as a model for circular branding if its sustainability story is more clearly articulated.

• Hestad, Monika & Lydersen, Marianne (2025). Brand position and visual identity to Yapril AS. doi: https:/careers.yapril.com/posts/ny-visuell-profil. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2025). Art and Design Industries. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2025). Presentasjon til partnere: Evaluering av Krafttak for sang. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2024). Forced to design sustainable products? Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2015). Business Design: From Ideas to Strategy. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2015). Business Design: From Ideas to Strategy. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2015). Tools to analyse products’ role in branding. Full text in Research Archive
• Midtbø, Oddrun & Hestad, Monika (2015). Sel strategimetodar til næringslivet. [Journal]. Din bedrift. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2015). Strategic Design Management: Managing Innovation, Making Ideas Real. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2015). A Design Approach to Innovation. Mitteilungen designaustria. ISSN 1022-9566. p. 10–11. Full text in Research Archive
• Bjørnstad, Nina & Hestad, Monika (2015). Time to explore and make sense of complexity? Nina BJØRNSTAD and Monika HESTAD. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2014). Design Thinking in Management. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2014). Developing a Brand Concept. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2014). Business Design: From Ideas to Strategy. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2014). Strategic Design Management: Managing Innovation, Making Ideas Real. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Berg, Marianne Støren (2014). Brand Mapping i norsk maritim bransje. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika; Ornäs, Viktor Hiort af & Grønli, Anders (2014). Craft Brewery Brands: self-awareness through performance. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  New principles emerge, with brands, innovation and design being driven by passion and meaning. Companies strive to resonate with consumers, tapping into culture, myths and ideologies, but also move to becoming “citizen artists” who inspire people. Design may play a central role in this, materialising values and interpreting meaning. A product category that is seemingly localised, socially engaged, and value-oriented is craft breweries. These are often small-scale and use traditional approaches to brewing, emphasising craftsmanship and quality, based on an often rebellious but playful nature, challenging the status quo, while having a passion to learn. We aim to understand how to develop brands based on own passion and principles, while being open to influences in society. What is the role of design when establishing a craft beer brand? We conducted a comparative case study using interviews, site visits and extensive desktop research. The results are compared through a framework seeing identity as a self-image that is embodied, performed, interacted and re-negotiated in an ongoing process. Both cases actively use design and engage with their audiences, but do so with different agendas: preserving and perfecting traditions, or playfully creating new brews and scenes.

• Hestad, Monika & Ornäs, Viktor Hiort af (2014). Negotiation and practice in beer brands. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2014). Brand Mapping i norsk maritim bransje. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2013). Branding and Product Design. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2013). Making Conceptual Products for an Audience. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2013). Business Design: From Ideas to Strategy. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Hu, Rakhi Rajani (2013). Strategic Design Management. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2013). Branding and Product Design. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2013). Exploring Brand Opportunities. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2013). Business Design: From Ideas to Strategy. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2013). Strategic Design and Innovation. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Garlick, Bob (2013). Branding Starts with Product Design. [Internet]. Business Book Talk. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Bae, Ji-sook (2013). Design thinking ― starting point for problem solving. [Journal]. The Korea Herald. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Eilertsen, Anne Gry (2013). Nordisk trendvind. [Journal]. Vikebladet Vestposten. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Nordal, Svein (2013). Sunnmøre på topp. [Journal]. Sunnmørsposten. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Behrentz, Johan (2013). Viktig å gjøre merkevaren tydelig. [Journal]. Sunnmørsposten. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2013). Norske merkevarer i utlandet: Hva skal til? In Landstad, Bergljot (Eds.), Temp - Konjunkturbarometer for Møre og Romsdal 2013: Made in Møre og Romsdal. Møre og Romsdal fylkeskommune. p. 12–15. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2013). Snart klart for Mørekonferansen. [Journal]. Vikebladet Vestposten. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2013). Er norske merkevarer sett fra utlandet? Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Brassett, Jamie (2013). Teaching ‘design thinking’ in the context of Innovation Management: from process to a dialogue about principles. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Tomasgard, Anne-Mari (2013). Design for skipsmedisin. [Journal]. Sunnmørsposten. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Bjerknes, Andreas Steinnes (2013). Boklansering i Brandal. [Journal]. Vikebladet Vestposten. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2012). Design Strategy. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2012). Design for Brand Recognition. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2012). Business Design: From Ideas to Strategy. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2012). Doctoral Colloquium for Design Ph.D. Scholars. Full text in Research Archive
• Digranes, Ingvild & Hestad, Monika (2012). Logo and graphic profile for DRS//Cumulus conference and conference website. Full text in Research Archive
• Digranes, Ingvild & Hestad, Monika (2012). Flyer til DRS//Cumulus. The 2nd International Conference for Design Education Researchers,14-17 May 2013, Oslo, Norway. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Peng, Xiaoxiao (2012). Design and brand management in the United Kingdom. [TV]. Sichuan Radio and Television. Full text in Research Archive
• Davidson, Sanjeev & Hestad, Monika (2012). The 4th Master Class of Becoming a Strong Brand in the Creative Industries. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2012). Design Thinking. Full text in Research Archive
• Davidson, Sanjeev & Hestad, Monika (2011). The 3rd Master Class of Becoming a Strong Brand in the Creative Industries. Full text in Research Archive
• Davidson, Sanjeev & Hestad, Monika (2011). The 2nd Master Class of Becoming a Strong Brand in the Creative Industries. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2010). Design til salgs. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2010). Design og merkevarebygging. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2010). En designers forskningsprosess i en merkevaresammenheng. Full text in Research Archive
• Davidson, Sanjeev & Hestad, Monika (2010). The 1st Master Class of Becoming a Strong Brand in the Creative Industries. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2009). Insights in Creating Meaningful Brands. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Elvebu, Kirsti Helen (2008). Monika Hestad disputerer ved AHO. [Journal]. Vikebladet Vestposten. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2008). Approaching different design choices in the process of branding products. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2008). Design til salgs. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  5. semester, Merkevarebygging og reklame (BA)

• Hestad, Monika (2007). Questioning the conflict between design and marketing. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2007). Pure shape : to realise intended meaning in practice. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2007). Product design and branding. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika & Hide, Synnøve Overå (2005). Industridesignar med politikar i magen. [Journal]. Vikebladet Vestposten. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika; Ornäs, Viktor Hiort af; Leszinski, Sarah & Loly, Carsten Oeding (2015). Evaluering av bachelorstudiet i produktdesign 2014-2015: Rapport fra ekstern evalueringskomité. Høgskolen i Oslo og Akershus. Full text in Research Archive
• Killi, Steinar; Øxseth, Geir & Hestad, Monika (2013). Designfaglig betenkning Scan versus Curve. Arkitektur- og designhøgskolen i Oslo. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2008). Den kommersielle formen : merkevarekonteksten som utfordring for industridesignernes behandling av form. Arkitektur- og designhøgskolen i Oslo. ISSN 9788254702178. Full text in Research Archive
• Hestad, Monika (2002). Frå fiskerinæring til porselen. Arkitektur- og designhøgskolen i Oslo. Full text in Research Archive

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