BETTER SPACE INITIATIVE
A LONG-TERM INITIATIVE FOR BETTER PRODUCTS AND BETTER SPACES
How do you create products that not only solve today’s needs but also address the challenges of tomorrow? At IMA, the answer lies in combining knowledge, user insights, and innovation through a structured process. This is the foundation of the Better Space Initiative (BSI) – our long-term development program for the products and solutions of the future.
BSI was born from an ambition to create even better conditions for innovation. By bringing together strategic planning, product development, and user insights within a shared process, we can work more proactively, identify opportunities earlier, and create a clearer focus throughout the development journey.
The goal is simple: to gain a deep understanding of people’s everyday lives in order to identify needs before they become problems.
“The aim is to identify potential solutions to needs users may have before they emerge as problems that require solving. It’s about recognizing opportunities to make everyday life easier for people,” explains industrial designer Johan Skoogh, who is part of the initiative.
INNOVATION THROUGH STRUCTURE
Innovation is often associated with creative ideas and fresh perspectives. But turning ideas into reality also requires structure, methodology, and a clear purpose. BSI is designed to create exactly that balance.
By working across functions and involving different areas of expertise early in the process, we create better conditions for developing solutions that are both innovative and feasible. An important part of the approach is visualizing ideas early through sketches, models, and prototypes, making it possible to test, evaluate, and refine concepts before larger investments are made.
“We place great emphasis on visualizing ideas and solutions, both digitally and physically, in order to gather feedback from customers long before the product is finalized,” says Johan.
This approach not only leads to better products but also creates a more efficient development process, where valuable insights can help identify challenges at an early stage.
PUTTING PEOPLE AT THE CENTER
At its core, BSI is about people. Every product, function, and solution is developed with the user’s needs and experience in mind. By understanding how people live, work, and interact with their environments, we can create products that simplify everyday life and deliver long-term value.
Design plays a central role in this process.
“The foundation of design is trying to understand and address the various challenges and thoughts that end users have. With a strong process, you can solve these challenges and make a significant difference in how people live,” says Johan.
This is also why sustainability is a natural part of the process. When products are developed with a clear purpose, rigorously tested, and designed to perform over time, the conditions for long-lasting solutions are greatly improved.
AN INITIATIVE THAT STRENGTHENS THE FUTURE
BSI is more than a development program. It is a way of working that strengthens collaboration, engagement, and innovation throughout the entire organization. By creating a shared framework for idea generation and product innovation, knowledge and experience can be leveraged more effectively.
“It builds on the engagement and passion that already exist within the company. It highlights the importance of creating great products and ensuring that everyone in the organization can contribute their input and expertise,” says Johan.
When asked to summarize what BSI means for IMA, his answer is both simple and forward-looking:
“It is what shapes the future.”
Through the Better Space Initiative, IMA continues to invest in knowledge, innovation, and product development with people at the center. For us, it is about creating better products, better experiences, and better spaces—today and for generations to come.