Art inspires problem-solving in scientific pursuits
Elekta employees unleash their creativity in highly technical RT occupations
Although the well-known “left-brain/right-brain” archetype typically suggests an individual’s orientation is more of one than the other, some people seem to have equal measures of both.
Elekta employees Kathrin Dengler, Ingrid Vetters and Ulrika Waltrén certainly fit into the latter category. They channel their artistic impulses often – whether they’re off-the-clock or at work using their talents to help solve technical challenges in the radiotherapy arena. This article explores how they integrate their creative minds into their work and personal lives.
Artistic perspective helps Kathrin interpret and solve problems
On one of Kathrin Dengler’s, Lead Systems Engineer first Elekta Unity MR-Linac installs, she was stuck on a technical issue and time was running out.
“It’s important to ‘switch off’ sometimes, and drawing helps me do that. I was able to solve the issue the next day.”
“I’d been mulling it over for days and on the evening of the last installation day I decided to take a break for a drawing,” she remembers. “Some people have ‘Eureka!’ moments in the shower – I had it while doing that drawing. It’s important to ‘switch off’ sometimes, and drawing helps me do that. I was able to solve the issue the next day.”
In Kathrin’s mind, understanding and engaging in art can enhance the problem-solving skills required in scientific fields.
“When producing art, you constantly problem-solve,” Kathrin says. “I’m asking myself: ‘How do I draw a tree realistically?,’ or ‘How can I replicate that exact thing with another medium?’ At work the questions are: ‘How can we emulate a treatment in a test environment?’ or ‘Could we have the same result with other materials?’”
Similarly, in her work as a lead systems engineer, she notes that her artistic perspective helps her interpret and solve scientific problems differently.
According to Kathrin, drawing gives her an eye for detail, which is useful in finding a missing period or quote mark in a configuration file.
“I’ve also solved issues by noticing aesthetic changes to code,” Kathrin observes. “In other words, I don’t know what each line should say, but I can tell something is off, because the overall structure doesn’t look right.”
Although she admits earning an income doesn’t rely on her artistic ability, she long ago stopped worrying about her skill level at art.
“My mental health is better, and I’m used to thinking outside the box on a daily basis. I can’t meditate for five minutes, but I will happily immerse myself in a drawing for an hour or two.”
“I just produce for the fun of it,” Kathrin says. “As a result, my mental health is better, and I’m used to thinking outside the box on a daily basis. I can’t meditate for five minutes, but I will happily immerse myself in a drawing for an hour or two – switching off from the tech world around me.”
Ingrid uses use creative methods to approach challenges and projects
The position of Learning Portfolio Principal – a role that focuses on optimizing the safe and effective clinical use of Elekta solutions – provides abundant travel downtime to allow creative minds to create.
During Ingrid Vetters’ 12 years traveling to customer sites as an application specialist the only way she could express her artistic impulses was to carry along a small travel journal.
“This is when I really started to create constant work and sketches,” she says. “And travel journeys are still my favorite diary options.”
Art has been Ingrid’s way to navigate challenges at work, typically with “some paint splashed on paper,” or comics when she trained customers.
“Now I am trying more to use creative methods to approach challenges and projects and attempting to improve my memory with different colors and shapes in my notes.”
“Now I am trying more to use creative methods to approach challenges and projects and attempting to improve my memory with different colors and shapes in my notes,” she says. “For example, while delivering trainings my artistic background has been useful in designing several games for students to enhance their experience and learning.
Painting and sketching also have helped me stay focused and patient when I was in the middle of a tough or very technical training and wanted to provide customers with the very best training experience,” Ingrid observes. “Engaging in creative work off-hours has centered me and allowed me to channel my energy to drive them toward go-live.”
In her view, the marriage of art and science can help advance the future of radiation therapy.
“I think we could significantly improve the patient treatment environment for customers and patients to make it cozier – versus a cold, white, sterile bunker.”
“I think we could significantly improve the patient treatment environment for customers and patients to make it cozier – versus a cold, white, sterile bunker,” she says. “We could do a different design approach that emphasizes comfort and friendliness. This could help both patients and professionals better deal with their disease or work routines, respectively. I’m not referring to just some pictures on the wall – but rather an integrated design.”
Art helps Ulrika tackle challenges in life and work
Learning Portfolio Principal Ulrika Waltren realized she had an unfulfilled passion for painting inspired by an artwork course, she began in late 2019 to produce works of art – images on canvas featuring colors of rust, copper, orange and gold, as well as more earthy colors such as brown and beige.
“Having an outlet for my creativity and being in my creative sphere makes it easier to tackle challenges in life and work and find solutions in different ways.”
“Having an outlet for my creativity and being in my creative sphere makes it easier to tackle challenges in life and work and find solutions in different ways,” Ulrika says.
“Working at Elekta has influenced my artistic style and process, because the Stockholm office has among the largest artwork collections in Scandinavia, which has inspired me immensely.”
Ulrika observes that the creative process is like meditation – a “great way to be in the moment.”
“It’s such a contrast to my day-to-day work in the office. My advice to anyone who feels an urge to indulge their imaginative impulses is to not be afraid. Just do it!”
“I attend artwork courses on a regular basis and love to do the whole handicraft by myself, such as stretching the canvas on wedge frames,” she explains. “Then, I can be a carpenter and make wooden frames. It’s such a contrast to my day-to-day work in the office. My advice to anyone who feels an urge to indulge their imaginative impulses is to not be afraid. Just do it!”
More of Ulrika’s artwork can be seen on her website.
Learn more about what life at Elekta is like on our careers page.
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