”Design is a way of living, not just a profession"
For Haymanot Fozzati, who graduated from the Master's Programme in Embedded Design at HDK-Valand in 2026, design is about curiosity, understanding people and finding new ways to approach complex challenges. Today, Haymanot Fozzati is exploring the connections between design, leadership and group psychology, applying lessons from the programme in new contexts.
What does embedded design mean to you?
– To me, embedded design is the investigation of an issue from the inside. It is about discovering how systems actually work, including the relationships, habits, and hidden constraints that shape them, and helping organizations find solutions by working alongside the people who live within those systems. Rather than observing from a distance and handing over recommendations, an embedded designer learns the context firsthand, asks questions, tests ideas early, and adjusts as understanding grows. The solutions that come out of this process fit the organization because they were built with it.
What is the most important lesson you learned from the program that you’ve carried into your professional life?
– The most important lesson is that design is a way of living, not just a profession. The skills it builds, like curiosity, problem solving, and the willingness to look at a challenge from several angles, are fundamental, and they show up in everything I do, whether or not the work is labeled “design.” The program taught me to stay curious when a situation feels messy, to ask what is really going on before jumping to answers, and to treat every problem as something that can be understood and improved. I use that mindset every day, in my work and in my relationships with the people around me.
What are you working with today, and how do you apply design in it?
– Right now I am pursuing a course in Group Psychology, where I am learning about leadership and innovation. I apply design by approaching group dynamics with the same curiosity and problem-solving mindset I developed in the program. I try to understand how people work together, what motivates them, and where collaboration breaks down, and then think about how to improve it. The course has also reinforced something I believe strongly: creativity is a strength that leaders and teams can use deliberately. When it is encouraged, it helps groups adapt, generate new ideas, and find solutions they would not have reached alone.
Why should prospective students apply to the Embedded Design program?
– Students should apply because the skills you learn are important in any field. The program teaches you to ask better questions, understand complex systems, and create solutions together with the people who will use them. It also builds confidence in working through uncertainty, which is something every profession demands. Whether you end up in business, healthcare, education, psychology, or somewhere you have not imagined yet, these abilities stay with you and keep opening doors. If you want to learn in a way that changes how you see problems and people, this program is a great place to start.
