Biography
I currently run a company called Social Objects, maker of entertaining & educating services such as Thinglink, a free product code for creative work.
I'm also working on my PhD at the Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research at the University of Helsinki. The goal of my research is to help us understand the ways people collaborate to design new objects. If you're interested in my research, visit my home page at the University of Helsinki.
Before starting doctorate studies, I directed the Institute for Design Research, a nonprofit consultancy that specializes in promoting user-oriented design practices in small and medium sized companies. Prior to that I worked as a lecturer on product development and branding at the Faculty of Business Studies at Lahti Polytechnic.
I received my Master's degree in Economics and Business Adminstration from the Turku School of Economics and Business Administration in 1999. I also studied business management, product development and industrial engineering in the multidisciplinary International Design Business Management program at the Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration, the Helsinki University of Technology, and the University of Art and Design in Helsinki.
I have two blogs: Hobbyprincess is an English-language blog about fashion, crafting, and technology. Umm is a Finnish-language blog about design-related topics.
I'm also a columnist for Craft: magazine and occasionally write for other publications.
To contact me, send email to ullamaaria [at] hobbyprincess dot com.
