Innovation strategies for internationalization

HIS-PANIOLA

2012-01-13T00:45:00.000-08:00

10 Designer progettano i banchi delle escuelitas per bambini haitiani e dominicani.

Design e solidarietà internazionale insieme per un progetto di cooperazione tra Italia, Haiti e Repubblica Dominicana.

Mostra a Milano dal 13 al 26 gennaio 2012

I tre progetti che saranno realizzati per le esculeitas di Haiti sono quelli di Claudio Larcher, Matteo Ragni con Maurizio Prina e Simone Simonelli; + menzione speciale per Lorenz Kaz

Design for Social Business Conference

2011-11-22T06:05:00.000-08:00

When the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus stated:
“I believe that we can create a world without poverty, because it is not the poor who created poverty”, it sounded like an utopia since he imagined that a world without poverty could be created through business activities.

Our current economic system is mainly responsible for the wealth pyramid, creating billions of people with little or no income. However, using the capitalistic system and business activities carried out by the poorest is subversive and very successful in overcoming poverty when we follow Prof. Yunus, social business concept, which is carried out by e.g. Grameen Bank or Grameen Danone. The concept of social business is simple but convincing. Social businesses are companies that have the objective to overcome poverty or other problems that threaten people in society. The goal of the company is not profit maximization. Investors in social businesses invest their money in business activities without receiving any dividends. Instead the profit of a social business stays within the company and is solely used to reinforce the social goal of the business. Furthermore social businesses pay market wage, and act it environmentally consciously. The Grameen Bank, the mother of social business, has distributed 8,7 Billion US$ in small loans with a 98% loan recovery, taking out no profit and empowering hundred thousands of people to overcome poverty and illiteracy in the second generation.

In social business, design plays a major role if we take Herbert Simonsdefinition of design seriously: “design is revising existing situations into preferred ones”. From this perspective each business creation is a design activity; each generation of new product or service is a design activity. Therefore, the question of design within the context of social business is manifold and interesting. As it seems Prof. Yunus’ main activities regarding design have been focused on the designing aspect of the business activity, which we could call business design, probably because he is an economic expert.
But there has to be more to it, since there is a huge awareness that environmental sustainability needs to be considered as a further important aspect of the design activity. Looking at many of the established products in the top tier of the wealth pyramid, it seems that the way products and services are designed today cannot be the future solution and cannot be sustained. We cannot generate the same carbon footprint for the world inhabitants as we do in the Western economies. We cannot use up the same amount of water resources in the upcoming economies as we still do in the western countries.
Therefore social business that has the goal to overcome poverty must be accompanied with conscious design activities, considering the half life of all products, considering the limited resources of the poorest, considering different lifestyles, considering the education of the consumer and considering the limited resources of this planet.

During the international design for social business designing conference in Milan, up to 60 international experts from various fields, representatives from the Grameen Creative Lab, multinational companies active in social business, IED, and other design schools as well as many international design experts, will be activelydesigning a new design philosophy and design agenda to frame and reframe design for social business. The organizers think and hope that it will be possible to have a clear notion how design, its methodology, its objectives need to change to design for a better world, without poverty, creating sustainable business activities, services and products.

The position papers will focus on different approaches to important issues in this area, representing the pluralism of approaches that are emerging in our different institutions and in professional practice.

Design with the Souths of the World

2011-11-22T05:59:00.000-08:00

BAGS For AFRICA

2011-11-21T10:26:00.001-08:00

COOPI propone l’asta “BAGS For AFRICA” con l’intento di promuovere una moda solidale.
L'iniziativa prevede il coinvolgimento di grandi maisons e stilisti italiani, tra cui i soci di Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana, che si impegneranno a mettere all’asta un borsa della loro collezione o creata appositamente per l’occasione. Il ricavato dei pezzi battuti sarà interamente devoluto ai progetti di COOPI “Un futuro per le giovani mamme di Ziguinchor” in Senegal e “D come sviluppo. Il futuro della Sierra Leone è Donna”.

SOCIAL CHANGE

2011-09-12T07:18:00.001-07:00

OPENIDEO

2011-06-25T10:27:00.000-07:00

OpenIDEO has partnered with the Holistic Social Business Movement (HSBM) of Caldas – a joint venture between the Grameen Creative Lab and the Government of Caldas, Colombia – to consider how social businesses can improve the health of low-income communities in Colombia and around the world. Together, with your help, we hope to develop a set of implementable and high impact solutions to support and promote social business development and improve health in low-income areas like Caldas, where 26% of the population lives in extreme poverty.

DESIGN FOR THE REAL WORLD

2011-06-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

Established and emerging designers are invited to submit innovative and radical examples of ecologically responsible and/or socially responsive designs that address everyday problems or social needs in the spirit of Victor J. Papanek's philosophy.

Vivienne Westwood's New Ethical Bags Are Now Online

2011-06-18T02:50:00.001-07:00

Today, at Pitti Immagine in Florence, Vivienne Westwood launched a new series of bags for herEthical Fashion Africa Project. Handmade by men and women in Nairobi from recycled materials — electrical wiring, tent canvas, aluminum, plastic bags — the accessories are not only environmentally friendly, they're also community-sustaining. "It's not charity, it's work," Westwood says of the project's aim to create jobs in impoverished communities by teaching workers real skills. Ranging in price from $83 to $339, the collection is a colorful melange of chic prints, interesting textures and easy-to-wear shapes. The pieces are available online at yoox.com, with a special video shot by her campaign photographer, Juergen Teller. Click through the slideshow to see our favorites from the collection.

Design as a Development tool - NEW BOOK

2011-06-18T02:41:00.001-07:00

A new book by Giulio and Valerio Vinaccia documenting over 20 projects done around the world in the past 15 years.

THE IOU PROJECT

2011-04-19T01:14:00.000-07:00

Using technology we create mass market potential for an easy-to-wear line of clothing based on the idea that each piece is handmade and completely unique. The uniqueness of each item allows us to provide traceability right down to the weaver that hand-wove the fabric. The stories of how that item was created, of the people involved, of the customers who purchased them, are the essence of the the e-commerce social network which we have built as a meeting place for a community that shares our brand values of authenticity, transparency, uniqueness and both social and environmental responsibility.

2011-01-30T03:00:00.001-08:00

Sono pezzi unici creati da Krizia, Gianfranco Ferre' e altri grandi stilisti. Le borse di "Bags For Africa" vanno all'asta giovedi' 27 gennaio a Milano. Il ricavato sosterra' due importanti progetti di COOPI in Senegal e Sierra Leone.

RSA Design & Society

2010-08-07T04:12:00.001-07:00

RSA Design and Society

RSA Animate - First as Tragedy, Then as Farce

2010-08-07T03:54:00.001-07:00

Design Activism

2010-07-22T05:40:00.000-07:00

Full Circle - 3 form

2010-06-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

Design has the power to transform more than just space.
It can positively change our planet, our environment, and people’s lives. Welcome to 3form Full Circle- a class of sustainable and impactful products, a program, a creed, and a belief put into action.

DOWNLOAD
http://www.archiportale.com/newsletter/dossier/download/3516_fullcircle.pdf

SOS-Design

2010-06-22T10:10:00.001-07:00

Sos Design è nato nell’ottobre del 2001. L’ 11 settembre l’occidente era stato colpito e aveva deciso di aprire un fronte di difesa/offesa in Afghanistan. In segno di autonomia etico/economica Emergency aveva rinunciato alla quota di finanziamenti pubblici che riceveva per le attività mediche sui fronti di guerra. In un articolo a tutta pagina su laRepubblica Gino Strada invitava la società civile ad aiutarli a reintegrare i fondi rifiutati. Noi avevamo da poco fondato una società che si occupava di comunicazione con una forte attenzione al mondo del Design, e ci siamo chiesti cosa si potesse fare per risponde all'appello. E così, di domenica, in quei silenzi carichi di soluzioni, abbiamo progettato Sos Design: il primo format di raccolta fondi espressamente attivo nel mondo Design.

EcoChic Milan Exhibition

2010-03-09T01:18:00.000-08:00

The EcoChic Milan Exhibition will take place within Italy's main sustainable trade fair, called 'Fa' la cosa giusta! meaning to 'do the right thing' on 12th-14th March in Milan.
'Fa' la cosa giusta!, which is open to the public, attracted 50,000 visitors in 2009 and the fair has become a benchmark for the exchange of ideas and solutions for sustainable lifestyles amongst consumers, organisations and institutions in Italy.
The EcoChic Milan Exhibition will consist of 18 of the eco-couture garments that were created specifically for 'EcoChic Geneva', which Green2greener co-organised with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) at the Palais des Nations, the United Nations' headquarters in Geneva, in January 2010.

Fashion Ethic Day - Milano

2010-03-03T23:59:00.000-08:00

Two events in Milano in the past months.

TOMSshoes

2010-03-03T23:48:00.000-08:00

One for One

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS One for One business model transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.

Why shoes?

 Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:

•A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases, and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.

•Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.

•Many times children can't attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don't have shoes, they don't go to school. If they don't receive an education, they don't have the opportunity to realize their potential.

REFRESH

2009-11-20T00:11:00.000-08:00

TUDO A MÃO in ceramics factory 2008 from STRAAT TUDO A MÃO on Vimeo.

REFRESH collection created by designers Lucas Van Vugt, João Parenti and Marcia Gervastok during straatceramica project and the hanger Cabide STRAAT designed by Takeshi Sumi at straatbambu project can be found at Brazilian TOK&STOK stores.

TUDO A MÃO with bamboo 2008 from STRAAT TUDO A MÃO on Vimeo.

Designer: Takeshi Sumi,Producer: Kotybambu

MAASAI WOMEN ART

2009-11-20T00:04:00.000-08:00

MAASAI WOMEN ART

www.maasaiwomenart.net

2009-11-10T23:44:00.001-08:00

You were impressed by our selection of shawls, cushions and bed linen in the 'Talents à la Carte' showcase at the Maison & Objet Exhibition, September 2009…
We hope we'll have the pleasure of showing you the full range of our textiles at our private Exhibition & Sale in Paris, 3–5 December, 2009

WomenWeave

2009-11-08T04:40:00.001-08:00

WomenWeave is an organization dedicated to empowering and improving the lives of women who weave in rural India. Its goal is to make handloom a profitable, fulfilling and sustainable income-earning activity for women.

Moving towards this objective, WomenWeave follows a holistic approach towards the weavers it works with. Alongside design, skill-enhancement and marketing interventions, WomenWeave also undertakes health, education and childcare initiatives. Overall, the idea is to have happy, healthy and empowered women who make a constructive contribution to their families and to society.

WomenWeave is a registered Charitable Trust, supporting the role of women in handloom weaving since 2002.

Headquartered in Mumbai, it has a field office in Maheshwar, Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh.

Lulu&Nat

2009-09-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

Driven by colour and inspired by India, Mumbai-based Lulu McEvoy and London-based Nat Robinson launched Lulu & Nat, a home and lifestyle range for adults and children.
With experience in textile design and retail, Lulu and Nat have created a modern, vibrant collection with an exotic Indian edge. Handcrafted and made in India using traditional techniques, each piece is completely unique and nothing is mass-produced. The result is a beautiful selection of hand-printed bedlinen, embroidered wall hangings and embellished cushions - all in Lulu & Nat's signature Anglo-Indian style.
Since it was set up in 2008, Lulu & Nat's client list has grown and now includes prestigious London stores such as Designers Guild, SCP, the Cross and Liberty, as well as designer childrenswear shop Bonton in Paris.

EL CAMINO

2009-09-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

Association of French designers created by Véronique Tesseraud works alongside the weavers of Chiapas to produce

collections that respect Indian traditions and the new rules of fair trade.

Véronique Tesseraud founded the El Camino association in 1996 to support weavers in Chiapas. New collections have been developed, with the help of volunteer French designers. These ranges weave contemporary aspirations and inspirations from Maya’s textile heritage. Long research work has been carried out to recreate the tones of ancient vegetal stains, providing harmonious hybridisation between tradition and modernity. Distributed in France and Mexico according to fair trade principles, this production allows more than 150 women to have worthy living conditions through the use of their ancestral knowledge.

El CAMINO: el.camino.france(at)gmail.com

PEOPLETREE

2009-06-17T08:11:00.000-07:00

YOOXYGEN

2009-06-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

OUMA

2009-06-10T08:20:00.000-07:00

Ouma Productions s'inspire de la rue indienne.

Le 'charpoy', qui signifie littéralement '4 pieds' est un lit fabriqué à partir d'un cadre de bois sur lequel sont tendues des cordes ou sangles tressées, c'est une pièce essentielle du mobilier indien. On y dort mais aussi on y médite, on y mange, on vit dessus seul ou à 3 ou 4, on le traîne dedans ou dehors et grâce à son tressage ajouré l'air circule entre les cordes ce qui en fait un lit climatisé pour l'été.

On le trouve dans l'histoire de chaque Indien.

ROYAH

2009-05-27T03:03:00.000-07:00

The project on ethical design from Afghanistan brings together Art & Development for women, whilst also presenting to the western world the richness of other cultures. Royah, the ‘vision’ in Dari, was set up in Kabul in 2005 by a handful of women who wanted to make a difference. Drawing on Afghanistan’s rich cultural history, we create contemporary fashion using Afghan textiles and Italian expertise.

MADE-IN-NO

2009-05-27T03:01:00.000-07:00

Made in No nasce tra Novara e il mondo, per creare ponti di collaborazione e solidarietà tra territori lontani, per mettere in collegamento filiere sostenibili e mercati locali, dimostrando che un'economia a misura di pianeta è possibile. Dal cotone ecologico ed equosolidale di Justa Trama, una rete brasiliana di organizzazioni di base equosolidali, è possibile creare prodotti sostenibili, come la linea di intimo Made-in-No, nata dalla creatività e dall'impegno dei piccoli artigiani del tessile novarese e dal sostegno dei consumatori organizzati e delle Botteghe del Mondo.

Six for Rwanda

2009-04-29T06:52:00.000-07:00

The Fondazione Claudio Buziol is organising the selection of six participants for the first "Course on Artisan Methods of Working With Vegetable Fibres", organised by Gaddo Morpurgo, associate professor at Iuav University in Venice. The workshop will take place from 5-19 September 2009 in Kanombe - Kigali, Rwanda at the “San Marco” Centre d’Accueil e de formation, with the participation of the San Marino Cassa di Risparmio Foundation – SUMS and Soroptimist. There are six place for graduates or undergraduates in design disciplines who, at the time of selection, are no more than 30 years old. Selection will take place in Venice at the headquarters of the Claudio Buziol Foundation in July 2009.

Download here the competition rules

http://www.fondazioneclaudiobuziol.org/docs/Bandi/Bando_Atelier_Rwanda_eng.pdf

Atelier RWANDA

2009-03-09T14:53:00.000-07:00

"The first laboratory, atelier RWANDA, “Laboratoire de recherche et de projets d’innovation de design en Afrique” was constituted at the Centre d’accueil et de formation “San Marco” a Kanombe (Kigali) Rwanda, in collaboration with the two Soroptimist club of Kigali (SI-Kigali and SI-Kigali Etolie) and the Soroptimist club of San Marino.
The atelier RWANDA focuses on the transfer of effective technology and design, for a valorization of natural materials that are available in the various regions of Africa."

TO READ MORE:
http://portal.unesco.org/es/files/43243/12210408719Biennale_Dossier_Eng.pdf/Biennale%2BDossier%2BEng.pdf

South Out There

2009-03-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

"There is a need out there to invert the logic of the world of Design that essentially focuses on only 10% of the world’s population, without considering the other 90%: 5 billion 800 million people who have no access to that which we consider normal: a house, clean water, and food.
With the results of the international conference Design, beyond the borders of development, organised in September of 2007 at the University of San Marino’s department of Industrial Design, on the occasion of the first San Marino Design week, an exhibit was presented showing a selection of recently developed design projects that give concrete solutions to problems of various areas in the world’s Southern Hemisphere."

TO READ MORE:
http://www.iuav.it/Ateneo-cal/2008/09/South-Out-There-depliant.pdf

toronto + botucatu Project 2008/2009

2009-02-08T15:15:00.000-08:00

STRAAT
Canadian designer - Cristina Covello- and a wood worker in Botucatu city- Zeca Godinho- and together they developed furniture for outdoors using peroba rosa wood recovered from old barns, railway leftovers, etc...

toronto + botucatu Project 2008/2009 from StraaT on Vimeo.

Onsite Caribbean

2008-09-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

nanimarquina

2008-09-17T07:42:00.003-07:00

nanimarquina collaborates with Care & Fair and guarantees that no child labour is employed in the production of its rugs.Care & Fair is an organisation that was created in 1995 with the objective of eradicating child labour in the weaving of rugs in countries such as India, Pakistan and Nepal. Its philosophy is based on the belief that this objective is reachable with the adequate help, basically involving two important areas: education and health.
A brand has many faces and each product always tries to give a synthesis of all of them: of who thinks up the product, of who makes it, who looks after it and all those who enjoy it. When This, together with the ongoing and consistent work of research and creation, is what makes a personal project a snapshot of its time. Our immediate context speaks to us of East and West, of a return to our roots, of new uses and concepts and, above all, it speaks to us of the commitment to integrate new voices into our reality. All these voices tell us about a world that begins and ends with sensations.

Recycled Saris - Altromercato

2008-09-17T07:42:00.002-07:00

Collaboration project between Sasha (India) and Altromercato (Italy) promoting new products produced in India with recycled saris for the Italian market.

EquoLab

2008-09-17T07:42:00.001-07:00

In the Sana Fair in Bologna there is a space designed by Lucy Salamanca (Salamanca Design & Co.) in which a selection of International Design Collaborations is shown. This exhibition is open from 11th to 14th of September 2008 in Bologna Fair (Italy).
During the Fair their was also a confrontation on the theme of SOCIAL DESIGN and the implications of design projects.

D+A GTO

2008-09-12T02:44:00.000-07:00

STRAAT - changing office

2008-09-12T02:39:00.000-07:00

StraaT office was moved from Augusta street in Sao Paulo capital to the countryside of Botucatu- Demetria a rural neighbourhood , also in Spaulo state.

Project H Design

2008-06-21T04:28:00.000-07:00

Product design initiatives for Humanity, Habitats, Health, and Happiness.
Project H Design is a charitable organization that supports, inspires, and delivers life-improving humanitarian product design solutions. We champion industrial design as a tool to address social issues, a vehicle for global life improvement, and a catalyst for individual and community empowerment.
Project H Design encourages the reorientation of the design industry towards a more socially-impactful and humanitarian entity through a variety of Initiatives including Fund this Product and our Project H studio classes at design universities.
Project H Design is a tax-exempt 501c3 nonprofit organization. All donations made after January 8, 2008 are tax-deductible.

Project H: Design for Education- June 2 - August 2Project H studio sessions are an educational arena in which to work with students, designers, and other collaborators on design projects which address social issues. Our first program this summer will be Design for Education, and will look at ways in which product designers can produce educational products that improve elementary education on a global scale. The studio sessions will encourage the design community and design academics to use design skills to solve real problems and serve individuals and communities. Design for Education, Summer 2008 will forge collaborations between unlikely partners- teachers, designers, students, the public, global citizens, etc.The Design for Education studio, held at the California College of Arts, will serve as a pilot curriculum to be rolled out additional design schools, addressing different social issues (Design for Health, Homelessness, Water) within each program.

MATERDESIGN

2008-06-21T04:08:00.000-07:00

Founded in 2006, mater is a copenhagen-based company with a strong vision to create timeless and beautiful design based on an ethical business strategy. mater combines exclusive high end home accessories with working methods that support people, local craft traditions and the environment.

http://www.materdesign.com/downloads/pdf/mater_catalogue_20080617.pdf

GLOCAL SHOPPER

2008-06-20T01:41:00.000-07:00

Design Forum Finland's summer exhibition Glocal Shopper launches a discussion on the responsibility of design. Its themes are ethical purchasing and consumption, local production, and domestic materials. The leading role is given to local design and small craft and design companies, which often lead the way in ecological issues. The choice of examples emphasizes products that conserve nature and solutions of ecological insight that are based on recycling, saving energy and durability.Glocal Shopper seeks also to encourage consumers to make choices that are more environmentally friendly and to be aware of the importance of the life-span of products. The client, designer, manufacturer and end-user are all ultimately responsible for the environmental impact of a product. "Consumers ultimately decide what products are made and how. Everyone's personal purchasing decisions have impact, even though you might not always believe it," says ceramist Jatta Lavi. The exhibition features an important group of Finnish designers and companies whose design products represent sustainable development and life-span thinking: Amer Sports Suomi, Artek, Doctor Design, Susan Elo, Evolum, Fiskars Brands, Iittala Group, Helkama Velox, Huhtadesign, Isku Koti, J.S. Team, Karttuuni, Kiks, Kotonadesign, Jouko Kärkkäinen, Jatta Lavi, Marimekko, Nikari, Nounou Design, original habitek works*, Plastex, Seija Ranttila, Saas Instrumentti, Markku Salo, Secto Design, Showroom Finland, Sokeva, Jussi Sutela, Janna Syvänoja, Anri Tenhunen, Tunto Design, Jaana Tuomisto, Twin-Shop, Tiia Vanhatapio, Verso Design, Woodnotes, Valvomo and artisans of the Fiskars Cooperative.The sale exhibition includes furniture, lamps, small items for the home, jewellery and clothing made from recycled material, and a collection of products for children.

Article 23, une marque de La Compagnie du Commerce Equitable

2008-06-20T01:27:00.000-07:00

«Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring
for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity» in response to article
23 of the declaration of human rights, the collection is engaged from its conception
to produce an ethical fashion brand. The collection is produced in India where it collaborates
with young women with handicap or caste problems. The collection is made
in 100% organic fabrics.

Entreprise de l’économie sociale, La Compagnie du Commerce Equitable a pour principal objectif d’initier des partenariats en faveur d’un développement durable et développe ainsi de nouvelles filières d’importation et de distribution de meubles, objets de décoration et accessoires dans le cadre d’une action solidaire.
Concevoir des styles tendances, former les couturiers pour leur permettre de confectionner des modèles jadis inabordables, produire dans le respect de l’Homme…Article 23 s’investit dans chacune de ces missions afin de permettre à des femmes des bidonvilles de Bombay en situation précaire de vivre de leur ouvrage.L’atelier de production emploie 250 femmes et soutient des programmes de développement en faveur des communautés défavorisées au sein des bidonvilles. Dans un souci de solidarité et nourri par un besoin d’émancipation, l’enseignement des techniques de modélisme contribue à l’apport de débouchés commerciaux et donc de perspectives d’expansion future.« Grâce à l’étroite collaboration tissée sur le terrain avec les couturiers, l’équipe Article 23 s’implique afin de moderniser la mode équitable, tout en créant un partenariat sur le long terme avec son atelier de production »

http://www.article-23.com/img/presse/DP_SS08_UK.pdf

LaModeEthique

2008-06-20T01:22:00.000-07:00

LaModeEthique - The Guide to Ethical Fashion aims to increase awareness and accessibility of the fast-growing niche of designers and organisations who acknowledge that people who are fashion savvy are not going to buy something that makes you look like you're wearing a burlap sack just because its kind to the environment or people no matter how much you hark on about it. A better idea would be to offer an alternative. To offer the discerning fashionista clothing that they've 'gotta have' for the very same reasons as they would any other piece of clothing. This way you don't have to depend on people giving a damn who made their dress (which is a comparatively small percentage of the population). Reports come up on the news left right and centre showing an ever increasing number of people who are concerned about the production of their clothing and anything else for that matter. However, despite their concern, how many of them actually buy ethically proactive products? How many MORE people would buy ethically proactive products if they knew what was out there, how to buy it and that the products fulfilled their own self-centred desires?

Siwa Creations project

2008-05-12T06:48:00.000-07:00

Siwan embroidery has made its way into the select world of Italian haute couture. Italian fashion designers have discovered the intricate beauty of Siwan embroidery. Its exquisite dainty stitch and its floral patterns have brought a refreshing look to traditional garments such as the ubiquitous jean trousers or a simple white cotton dress.
Siwa has a lot to offer because two people, Mounir Neamatalla and his sister Laila have been instrumental in launching Siwa on the global market. Mounir Neamatalla unsurprisingly has just been named one of the most enterprising people in Egypt.
Neamatalla has begun to collaborate with international designer labels by liaising with the seamstresses and embroiderers she employs in the Siwa Oasis on the western edge of the Egyptian desert.Most recently, the Siwan women stitched traditional motifs into couture garments and accessories for the Italian atelier Ermanno Scervino. Maverick marketing is yet another method that entrepreneurs are using.In 1996 when giant international fashion brands were still dithering about the role of the Internet in their retail operations, the Senegalese fashion designer Oumou Sy was opening an e- commerce site to sell accessories abroad.One of Africa's most well- known fashion designers, Sy had made private clients in Europe after she appeared in several high-profile exhibitions there. Such self-made artisans and designers isolated from any organized fashion industry are often those first out of the starting blocks.Capitalizing on handicrafts, cottage industries and traditional techniques, they experiment with product development, negotiate microfinancing and find clever partnerships.

SALAMANCA DESIGN

2008-04-30T10:06:00.000-07:00

Salamanca design & Co is a strategic design firm born in 1991 by Lucy Salamanca, Designer of Colombia, Bogotà and who studied in 1985 in the Istituto Europeo di Design di Milano. Fair Trade is one of the sectors in which they work.

Sustaining local communities through design

2008-04-28T00:55:00.000-07:00

This is a blog of a young designer who has been 6 weeks in Brazil for the STRAAT project.

He writes:

"I will be working with small craft communities on creating a line of products to be sold in the local design markets. These groups specialize in bamboo, but are currently not able to support themselves with the products they make. Some of the groups also have outreach programs for various citizens and teach them how to craft bamboo. My goal will be to design, prototype, and ultimately try to commercialize products so that these communities will bea ble to sustain themselves. I got involved by inquiring around about how I could use my thesis time (where the students get to choose the projects) to really do something that could actually make a difference. I have seen a lot of projects that have the goal of helping people, and are made for situation, but are never made and I wanted to get really hands on. But anyways, I ended up getting connected to this program:
http://www.straat.com.br/
which works specifically with groups in brazil. Everyone involved was incredibly enthusiastic about making this work, which really helped, as I had about a week and a half to really scramble to make this happen, including working with my teachers, the school, finding flights, and making an emmergency trip to Chicago to secure a Visa in time to leave. But everything is in action now, and I currently await my flight to Sao Paulo. I am really excited, and a bit nervous, but I think this is going to be a great and formative experience on my career in design."

MADE IN CHINA

2008-04-26T05:17:00.000-07:00

Made in China

Will be presented at the Saloneinternationale del Mobile di MilanoApril 16th till 22nd
Material: porcelain with three different hand crafted designsDimensions:Label: Designstudio Carola ZeeLimited editionYear: 2007

Made in China (November 2007)is Carola’s latest collection and was realized in Jingdezhen China. The collection is presented with a book publication, which tells the storyof the people behind the production and shows the way they work. The vases are the end result of this collaboration and show the different techniques typical for this region of China.
Even with the big economical and industrial changes in China at the moment a lot of products here are still produced manually. These products are able to compete with the low prices of machine-produced products because of the low wages the Chinese craftsmen get paid. By creating this collection Carola wants to make consumers aware of the fact that most Chinese products and the people creating them are underrated. Through interviews and photographs she shows the amount of work and time that the craftsmen put in to the creation of this collection.

XO+

2008-04-26T04:58:00.000-07:00

XO+ is a fair trade collection of products made by women in different parts of Nepal.
It's the tendency to produce in a good way in Europe knows often the problem that there we do not know what is possible, how to communicate. And the development country has no idea how to communicate and what is expected by the difficult European clients or how to reach them. What counts for development countries, counts for Nepal. Nepal is a country rich in culture, materials and techniques we can not afford at all in Europe anymore. But the people in Nepal don't see the specialty anymore of those qualities. So we make new designs with the old techniques and habits of the Nepali people and in this way those unique qualities don't get lost. The people will be proud again about there culture and the European people can buy these nice products with a fair feeling.The co-operation of feminine producers in Nepal, has started a new project. A Design products collection. In co-operation with Dutch designers a new collection has been produced with the first 18 companies. All participants of this unique project are part of fare business. Womanpower has a poverty alleviation target reached trough a business, work and production improvement.

TARGET:

A link between both worlds.

A good design, a good product.

A win win result.

Only this way there is a opening to give fair trade design products a change to be competitive at the international market.We know Design & Fair Trade, it's possible!

http://www.lostintime.nl/celia/intro2.html

WEMADE

2008-04-26T04:43:00.000-07:00

WEMADE is a project between two Dutch designers and Indonesian craftspeople who were victims of the Bantul earthquake 2006.
Goal: to increase the economic independence of local craftspeople.
Result: series of lifestyle products meant for export.

http://www.rixxt.nl/
http://lidewijenrixtinindonesie.blogspot.com/

Artecnica

2008-04-26T04:35:00.000-07:00

Artecnica's mission is to elevate the purpose and value of everyday objects by using design to enchant, inspire and transform through the powerful tools of art and technology. Art represents the most personal expression of our design language, technology our unique application of materials, fabrication methods and techniques.
We started traveling the world, exploring and sharing experiences. Specialized vendors were selected and collaborations with designers, merchants and craftsmen begun. New materials were explored experimentally and spontaneously.
This deeper awareness of our global impact inspired a formalized program for Artecnica we call Design with Conscience. Artisan communities of developing countries handcraft objects designed by internationally recognized designers, often utilizing recycled products, both minimizing environmental impact and stimulating depressed economies.
As we continue explore the world and create new design, we also transform and look forward to the challenges we have set with Design With Conscience and our commitment to enchant, inspire, tranform.
The designer can dovetail the capacities of artisans with the needs of the international marketplace. The project producer provides the logistics, marketing, and art direction necessary to bring the work of the designer and the artisan to the consumer. As project producer, Artecnica partners with such nonprofit organizations as Aid to Artisans and the British Council.
Our challenge is to develop a competitive product that will encourage the survival of indigenous craft. Fulfilling this mission requires a smart designer, a savvy and visionary project producer, and a willing and ambitious artisan. Our objective is to avoid the mechanization of the artisan, which devalues his work and undermines the project from both a design and an economic standpoint.
http://www.artecnicainc.com/Milan2008.pdf

DESIGN21

2008-03-01T02:56:00.000-08:00

DESIGN 21: Social Design Network's mission is to inspire social activism through design. We connect people who want to explore ways design can positively impact our many worlds, and who want to create change here, now.

SOCIAL DESIGN SITE

2008-02-25T09:16:00.000-08:00

The SocialDesignSite aims to foster and facilitate a discourse on social design by establishing a unique interactive platform between everyone interested on the topic. We present innovative projects that help develop and sharpen our common understanding of social design in context and practice. We create awareness among the general public that we could do things differently in various part of the world and various areas of life. We achieve this through our website and by the organization of and participation in workshops, exhibitions, conferences, lectures, etc.

DESIGNWORKS

2008-01-25T05:14:00.000-08:00

In today’s business world, it’s no longer enough to simply outperform the competition. To thrive in a world of ceaseless and rapid change, business people have to outimagine the competition, by learning how to think – and become – more like designers.

To promote the principles and practice of design thinking, the Rotman School established designworks™, a centre for design-based innovation and education. Part of the Rotman Design Initiative, designworks™ is the result of an innovative collaboration with Stanford University’s Institute of Design, headed by IDEO founder David Kelley, and the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute of Design, headed by Patrick Whitney.

The program fuses the strengths of its academic and industrial partners to provide a working model for inspiring innovation across a wide range of design-related disciplines. By providing design coaching, innovation workshops and other customized programs, the centre aims to shape corporate culture and groom a new generation of business designers.

DESIGN FOR THE WORLD

2008-01-23T01:02:00.001-08:00

Design for the World is an international humanitarian organisation whose objective is to match the skills and commitment of volunteer designers with the needs expressed by disadvantaged populations and the organisations that serve them worldwide. Design for the World unites graphic designers, industrial designers and interior and architectural designers around one common idea: voluntary design for people in need.Design for the World believes that people disadvantaged by poverty, war, disability, age or environmental conditions deserve equal access to practical design solutions that will improve their day-to-day lives. Design for the World seeks to extend the benefits of design to populations without access to adequately designed materials, objects, tools and living environments.

CREAR ARTESANIA

2008-01-11T02:37:00.000-08:00

CREAR artesanía, colección de piezas

El proyecto Crear Artesanía, generado en el marco del programa URBAN y cofinanciado por la Comisión Europea, apuesta por conjugar los valores tradicionales de la artesanía con diseños más actuales acordes a las necesidades de nuestra sociedad.
Ya en el año 2005 presentó las primeras piezas elaboradas partiendo de elementos iconográficos propios de Sanfermines y Camino de Santiago, piezas diferentes, en las que la calidad, la creatividad y el diseño convivían con el carácter artesanal de las mismas.
La etnografía ha sido el motivo elegido en esta edición. El trabajo conjunto de investigación entre profesionales del diseño y de la artesanía, ha permitido, partiendo de productos tradicionales, incorporar nueva formas, usos, materiales y funcionalidades que permiten mejorar la competitividad e innovación de los talleres artesanos.
El trabajo desarrollado es un aliciente y un motivo de satisfacción para las personas y entidades involucradas, pero, sobre todo, un reconocimiento a la labor de los artesanos y diseñadores de Pamplona y de Navarra, gracias a los cuales, los valores tradicionales de nuestro pasado permanecen aún hoy vivos entre nosotros.
http://www.crearartesania.com

STRAAT

2007-12-28T03:16:00.001-08:00

StraaT means street or pathway in Dutch.
StraaT provides support and connection between the ones who invents, who produces and who sells.
StraaT is design of processes for production within groups of craft and manufacture.
StraaT is production or services for market.

TOUCH

2007-12-28T02:20:00.000-08:00

CENTRO PARA LA CREATIVIDAD E INNOVACION

2007-12-27T06:26:00.000-08:00

http://www.jmc.usm.cl/cci/index.html

El Centro para la Creatividad e Innovación, nace como necesidad de otorgar continuidad al Proyecto MECESUP FSM0310, en la forma de un organismo promotor de la innovación en la región, que permita proyectar su acción hacia toda la región, con el fin de captar y promover las capacidades propia de los estudiantes con talentos de inventores, y las oriente en dirección a las necesidades de las industrias de la V Región.
Este Centro esta ubicado en la Sede Viña del Mar de la Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María.

OBJETIVOS

1. Apoyar la formación de alumnos creativos y emprendedores en las carreras de la Sede.
2. Captar estudiantes con características de inventores en la Educación Media de preferencia Técnico Profesional.
3. Fomentar la innovación tanto en el plano interno como externo de la Universidad.
4. Promover entre los estudiantes la creación de empresas tecnológicas.
5. Colaborar con las empresas de las Región coordinando proyectos de cooperación Universidad – Empresa.
6. Facilitar el Laboratorio de Prototipos para efectuar pruebas, mediciones, ensayos, etc. que sean necesarios para alcanzar buenos resultados en los proyectos de cooperación Universidad - Empresa.

UNSEEN PRODUCTS

2007-12-04T07:10:00.001-08:00

unseen products:a real approach
+ Make innovative of hard to find products accessible at commercially interesting prices
+ Engage European retailers in sustainable trade relationships with small producers developing countries
+ Generate profitable commercial relationship from producers and designers through to retailers and consumers

unseen products:challengesthe market
+ Get responsibly made products from developing countries into mainstream retail markets
+ Contribute to the economic development of small producers in developing countries
+ Inspire retailers and consumers

Association for Craft Producers (ACP)

2007-12-04T06:54:00.000-08:00

Association for Craft Producers (ACP) is a not for profit fair trade organization providing professional services in technology, design, marketing, managerial skill for over 1,200 low income, primarily female, craft producers. Since 1984, ACP has successfully balanced its business priorities with a strong sense of social obligation and we are proud to define ACP as a socially orientated, commercially viable enterprise.
ACP is the member of International Fair Trade Association (IFAT), Asia Fair Trade Forum (AFTF), Fair Trade Group Nepal (FTGN), Federation of Handicraft Association (FHAN).

TAVIE

2007-12-04T06:38:00.000-08:00

Tavie offers a unique collection of decorative and functional products, originating from Northern Niger. A Tavie product is made with passion and pride, using the age-old traditional technique of palm leaf weaving. Every Tavie product is unique, they are all hand crafted to the highest quality. A purchase of a Tavie product helps create a better economic situation for the proud Touareg Tribes of Northern Niger.

STRAWBERRIES FABRICS

2007-12-04T06:32:00.000-08:00

Strawberries International Fabrics presents fabrics from different parts of the world which feature original, traditional designs and embroidery techniques that have been adjusted to contemporary trends in fashion and interior decorating.
The fabrics are made on location from either pure silk or cotton and are being produced under close supervision ensuring that the fabrics are both very exclusive and of the highest quality.
All fabrics are hand made and produced on order. This allows for customised adjustments and changes.
Strawberries International Fabrics adheres to fair trade principles and ensures that all producers are adults, receive fair wages and work under reasonable circumstances

MAASAI WOMEN ART

2007-12-03T09:34:00.000-08:00

http://www.maasaiwomenart.net/

WHOMADE

2007-12-03T09:24:00.000-08:00

Whomade: the products talkpresentaBastar collection dal 12 dicembre al Circolo Sassetti.Nel crocevia tra diversi linguaggi e tradizioni, nascono le collezioni Whomade: oggetti tra design, artigianato e arte ad elevato valore etico ed estetico. Un brand di prodotti cross-culturali, nato dalle esperienze di Todomundo.org e dall’entusiasmo di tre giovani designer - Edoardo, Dario e Carlotta - per promuovere una nuova cultura della materia e dell’oggetto.I prodotti WHOMADE sono il luogo d’incontro tra culture che dialogano, creano insieme ed evolvono: essi in qualche modo ci parlano, e con il loro sapere rappresentano relazioni sociali, facendosi portavoce di valori, idée ed emozioni. Le prime collezioni WHOMADE di terracotte, ferri battuti e monili in fusione a cera persa sono state concepite e disegnate da designer italiani in collaborazione con le comunità di artigiani di Saathi – tribal crafts, all’interno di un percorso progettuale di riscoperta e ricontestualizzazione dei pattern e degli stilemi tribali della regione del Bastar, nel cuore antichissimo dell’India.

WHOMADE the project

edoardo, dario, carlotta

WHOMADE the products

creolo design, italy & saathi tribal crafts, india

WHOMADE the food

circolo sassetti, milano

WHOMADE the pictures

danieleportanome.com

WHOMADE the PR

rosella graziaplena

WHOMADE the guide

italiastraordinaria.it

WHOMADE it possible

todomundo.org

PRESS INFOdownload the press kit

www.whomade.it/whomade_12dic2007.doc

www.whomade.it/whomade_12dic2007.pdf

www.whomade.it/whomade_highres.zip

www.whomade.it/whomade_lowres.zip

tel. +39 349 1029526

info@whomade.it

http://www.whomade.it/

Design for the South of the world

2007-12-02T10:05:00.000-08:00

SUDesign

2007-12-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

E’ possibile finalizzare la creatività di giovani studenti di design per valorizzare le capacità produttive del sud del mondo?

Designing for the south of the world implies a clear consciousness of the problematics and the diversity of contexts in which a lot of populations are found themselves unable to satisfy primary needs such as food and water.The major part of the following project focuses precisely on the different aspects of the problem of water. Changing the target, going from the first to the third world, or from “our”10% to the remaining 90%, implies a radical change of the designing process, a flip, a return to the essentials, to the idea that the form follows the function, a creativity dedicated to simplification.The demands having been changed, the approach to the problems as well as the state of mind in which they were considered changed too. First of all, we paid attention to a distant reality, not immediately understandable, far from preconceptions and from the superficial stereotypes created by the media.To understand that “the poverty has not been created by the poor” as Nobel Prize Muhammad Yunus said, actually implies a deep analysis of the causes, giving up the idea of the irreversibility of the problems, by understanding them and looking for achievable and possible solutions thanks to the designer's own working method, a methodology which is linked to the real feasibility of the developed objects. From this point of view, it will be seen how the projects follow extremely cheap manufacturing logics, some feasibility on the spot, easily transportable, reusable or derived from the re-use, objects that assume double function. The design finally goes back to its original form, and from mannerism it goes back to be and to represent a service.

Mauro Oreste Paialunga

IUAVietnam

2007-12-02T09:58:00.000-08:00

IUAV – facoltà di Design e Arti
Milano Fuori Salone 15-24 aprile 2004
alla Bottega della solidarietà
Via Mercato Brera 24
inaugurazione giovedì 15 aprile ore 18

La mostra IUAVietnam presenta una selezione dei lavori realizzati dagli studenti che hanno seguito il Laboratorio di comunicazione dei prodotti del clasDIP ed il corso di Comunicazioni visive del claDIS nell’anno accademico 2003-4.

Accessori per arredo lampade e borse, realizzati in bamboo e altre fibre vegetali, sono i primi prototipi per una nuova linea di prodotti che nel 2005 verranno realizzati in Vietnam dalla Craft Link di Hanoi e distribuiti in Italia dal Consorzio Botteghe della solidarietà.

Innovation RCA

2007-11-24T02:42:00.001-08:00

Innovation RCA is a new network set up by the Royal College of Art to link RCA graduates with business in order to create innovation opportunities.
Innovation RCA has been established with a major award from the UK Government's Higher Education Innovation Fund. It aims to bring greater coordination, clarity and reach to the Royal College of Art's relationship with business, and higher levels of professional support for new RCA graduates and alumni.
Innovation RCA's programmes in Applied Research, Product Development and Creative Business enable the College's graduates and business partners to work together to innovate more effectively.

Design Link

2007-11-24T02:37:00.000-08:00

The Design Council runs “Design Link“ in each English region, These are committees of industrial designers who volunteer to be a support group for the Design Counsellors in that region’s Business Links. (Design Counsellors are specialist business advisers - who are meant t0 advise Business Link clients on design-related issues and to raise the importance of design as an integral part of business rather than as an after-thought, bolt-on). The idea is that Design Link members can open doors, suggest suitable contacts, help with further lines of inquiry etc.
http://www.cherry.gatech.edu/sim/refs/britain.pdf

IDBM

2007-11-24T02:24:00.000-08:00

The International Design Business Management programme (IDBM) is a joint teaching and research programme of three leading Finnish universities: the Helsinki School of Economics, the University of Art and Design Helsinki and the Helsinki University of Technology. The purpose of the programme is to bring together experts in different fields within the concept of design business management.

The objective of the IDBM programme is to train skilled professionals for key roles in international design business. The programme emphasizes the importance of design as a competitive factor among others, such as technology. Arising from the needs of the industry, this programme gives future marketers, engineering experts and designers an opportunity to practice important interpersonal skills through projects and courses. The programme teaches students to make full use of their own potential as members of interdisciplinary teams.

DesignStart - GLOBAALI

2007-11-23T07:42:00.000-08:00

Two SME SUPPORT PROGRAMS IN FINLAND:
The aim of the DesignStart-program is to strengthen the company’s competitiveness
through incorporation of such product characteristics perceived as important by
customers. DesignStart gives the company the possibility to use a professional designer,
either for products or to enhance the company image. The programme includes four
days of consultation over a period of three months.
see: http://217.152.18.69/page.asp?path=1866,1919,4330,7529,7530,11176,11183

DesignStart is an industrial design development programme targeted at both existing and new companies that are about to start their operation. The purpose of the programme is to assist the companies in developing the usability and outward appearance of their products or the graphical business image.Service branch companies can benefit from DesignStart in the development of their graphical business image, for example, in designing their logo and brochures, as well as, in commercialising their services.The programme is implemented as separate case-specific consultations between a DesignStart expert and the business management of a company. The programme is carried through in approximately a three-month period of time. The programmes are ordered from the DesignStart product managers at the TE Centres’ Business Departments.
The costs of DesignStart are:
420 € for companies younger than 3 years.
Additional consultation days (maximum 5 days) 165 € per day.
840 € for companies older than 3 years.
Additional consultation days (maximum 5 days) 300 € per day.

Globaali
Global – development programme for internationalisation (Business Department). The Global programme is tailored for SME’s that are about to start or already expanding their international activities to new market areas. The programme is particularly suitable for the time before applying for the internationalisation support.The target of the programme is to provide a company with a view on the opportunities and risks involved in its internationalisation, as well as, to investigate and evaluate the international operational prerequisites that the company has. The programme directs the companies to well-planned long-term internationalisation.
The cost of the Global programme is 630 € (with 2.5 consultation days).
Additional consultation (1-5 days) is available for 300 € per day.

Putting SMEs first

2007-11-23T07:05:00.000-08:00

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/entrepreneurship/docs/sme_pack_en.pdf

_SMEs – the lifeblood of Europe’s economy
_Think small first
_Facts & Figures
_Improving access to finance
_Facing environmental challenges together
_Ensuring fair competition
_Education and skills for entrepreneurship
_Helping SMEs go international
_Boosting research and innovation
_Protecting your ideas
_Micro- and craft enterprises in the EU
_Support for SMEs at regional level

EU policies and activities for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

2007-11-23T06:52:00.001-08:00

In the framework of the European Charter for Small Enterprises implementation process the Commission issued on 8 February 2005 several documents giving an overview of the most recent policies and initiatives in favour of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe. Among these documents, the SME Envoy Report outlines European Union policies and activities in favour of SMEs.
Prepared under the coordination of the SME Envoy, the Report offers an overall presentation of the measures taken by the Commission for SMEs. It provides a review of policies, initiatives and programmes having an impact on SMEs covering not only the ten areas of the Charter for Small Enterprises but also other European Union policy areas relevant to SMEs.

GALLERIA NORSU

2007-11-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

GALLERY NORSU is dedicated to Nordic contemporary craft. The gallery, in the centre of Helsinki, showcases the finest in innovative Nordic Craft, both functional and sculptural, including jewellery, ceramics, metalwork, textiles, wood, furniture and glassware. Galleria Norsu is run by the Society for New Craft.

THE SOCIETY FOR NEW CRAFT

The Society for New Craft is a non-profit society which works to increase the knowledge of Finnish and Nordic contemporary craft. The society organizes exhibitions, seminars, lectures and excursions.

As a member of the Society for New Craft you support the society in its work and receive special offers. You receive invitations to all the exhibitions and information about other activities organized by the society and Gallery Norsu. You also get a discount of 5 % on products purchased in the gallery shop.

ARTIC PEARLS

2007-11-21T06:50:00.000-08:00

The Arctic Pearls campaign arranged by the Regional Council for Lapland aims at supporting and promoting the business operations of Lappish actors in the creative arts by helping them to introduce new and innovative products on the market. In 2007, the focus is on design. The campaign is planned to continue, when the spotlight will be on another group active in the field of culture and the creative arts. "

Arctic Pearls arranges various marketing strategies in order to enhance the visibility and availability of Lappish handicrafts and design.

To get the ball rolling, the campaign arranged a commercialisation competition in autumn 2006, which searched for individual products or design concepts that would lend themselves to being manufactured by hand or industrial production. In other words, pearls of Lappish design!

We chose two winners: Anu Kulmala and Elle Valkeapää. Both are studying industrial design at the University of Lapland. Their prize comprises expert assistance with product development, marketing and setting up a business. This website will keep you to date with the development of their products.

Mie designer group received a commendation in the competition; you can find their products at www.mie.fi

CRAFTNET.FI

2007-11-20T11:07:00.000-08:00

TAITO MARKETING -PROJECT 2007-2008
a project to develop marketing in the crafts and design business

This project will instigate a survey on marketing by entrepreneurs in the crafts and design business and on the collection of research data. Furthermore, the project will develop marketing services for crafts and design businesses and produce online learning materials. Theme days focusing on marketing, training in image processing and distance learning courses on online business will be provided for crafts and design entrepreneurs.

The project ran from 1 May 2007 to 30 April 2008 and it was financed by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the European Social Fund (ESF).
The Finnish Crafts Organization carried out an Internet survey in June-August 2007 with craft and design enterprises, buyers, company consultants and consumers. It also conducted group interviews among entrepreneurs. The survey aims to record the current situation of crafts and design marketing in Finland and the need for improving marketing skills, for instance through training and corporate services. The present survey on the marketing of Finnish craft and design products will be completed by the beginning of 2008, and the results of the international survey will be available in spring 2008.

The Finnish Crafts Organization carried out also an international survey on craft and design product marketing in September 2007. The aim of this questionnaire is to provide information on how craft and design products are marketed in Europe at the moment, what changes or needs for changes are evident and what viable forms of marketing might be available in the future. The results of the international survey will be available in spring 2008.

Taito business advisors assist crafts enterprises through
_consultation: business idea development, product evaluation, pricing, consumer protection issues
_education:trade customs, product development, finances, production, marketing
_marketing services:trial marketing, participation in bazaars and fairs, export services
_Internet service, www.craftnet.fi:business advisors function as a network of regional contact people
_development project and business incubator services

In addition the associations’ other services are also available
_marketing network services: national Taito Shop retail network and retail shops in local crafts centres
_marketing events: crafts fairs, bazaars and sales events

Taito services: courses, workshop instruction, supply of materials and tools
_exhibitions, competitions, events, awards, communication
_Finnish Crafts Organization’s role in business services

development projects, education, publications, research
Finnish Craftnet, Taito Magazine

Additional information
Taina Tervonen, Project Manager
The Finnish Crafts Organization Taito
Email: info(at)craftnet.fi
www.craftnet.fi

INDABA DESIGN expo

2007-11-06T13:33:00.000-08:00

The dti sees the Design Indaba Expo as a means of satisfying its objectives of increasing market access opportunities for and export of South African goods and services, contributing towards building skills, technology and infrastructure platforms from which enterprises can benefit, and significantly progressing broad based Black Economic Empowerment.
In addition the expo is part of a long-term project committed to taking the South African creative industries to the global world.

North meets South

2007-11-06T13:27:00.000-08:00

North meets South is an updated and expanded version of the exhibition about the links between Scandinavian and African Design.
Prior to coming to Milan it could be seen in 2004 at the Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Etienne, in 2005 in Paris at the Centre Culturel Suédois and in 2006 in Stockholm at the Nordiska museet.
Highlight of the exhibition is a audiovisual installation by Li Edelkoort, chairwoman of the Design Academy Eindhoven, that analyzes the parallels of Africa and Scandinavia in forms and patterns discovering traces of a common design language.

Rossana Orlandi and curator Li Edelkoort are happy to announce the opening of North meets South, a dynamic exhibit that analyses the aesthetic links between Scandinavian and African design.North meets South was previewed at 2004’s Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Étienne, before traveling to Paris at the Centre Culturel Suédois in 2005 and Stockholm in 2006, at the Nordiska museet and the Formex interior fair. The exhibition has now been seen by more than 250 000 people.This October’s updated exhibition in Milan has been expanded to include mesmerizing new craft and design pieces from the various countries defining ‘north’ and ‘south’. The origin of these pieces - furniture, rugs, ceramics, textiles, tools and toys - is not always discernible to the naked eye, thus inspiring surprising questions about the roots of humanity and the DNA of design. The objects will be displayed in the form of a still-life within the Spazio Rossana Orlandi galleries.The audiovisual installation by Li Edelkoort highlights the exhibit, set to music and analysing exactly how much Africa mirrors Scandinavia and visa versa. These images look at form that is moulded, recycled and sculpted, and pattern that is rhythmic, primitive and narrative; traces of a common design language where folklore is universal.A concept to be continued in Milan is the sale of design products from both Scandinavia and Africa, blending to exemplify the ease with which these two cultures’ aesthetics can be combined and integrated into contemporary living. A small all-colour catalogue will also be available for purchase.Li Edelkoort is known as one of the world's most famous trend forecasters and as the chairwoman of the renowned Design Academy Eindhoven. Edelkoort works with a wide variety of trend analysis ranging from her trend books for Trend Union and her magazine Bloom, to providing consulting for international leading brands and companies.

AID to ARTISANS - magazine

2007-11-06T13:09:00.000-08:00

The object of HAND/EYE is first to support Aid to Artisans in its mission to
create new opportunities for success for artisan businesses from around the
world. Success at ATA means vibrant commerce, surprising product in unexpected
places, new customers and increased sales. It also means that artisans in Africa,
Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America earn profits that they re-invest in their
businesses, their families and their communities. Success means improved businesses
AND improved lives. HAND/EYE will both describe ATA initiatives and invite
you to participate in them.

SOfar SOnear

2007-11-06T12:53:00.000-08:00

SoFar/SoNear is the first Italian company designing and producing high end fabrics, rugs and furniture with a sustainable focus. Established in 2004, the company's scope is to leverage Italian design and traditional handcraft from the South of the World.
Besides our own collections, SoFar/SoNear offers bespoke design for fashion ateliers, architects and retailers.
http://www.sofarsonear.com/pr_english.pdf

http://www.sofarsonear.com/interview.html

CREOLO

2007-11-06T12:44:00.001-08:00

Changing the change - Design Visions, Proposals and Tools

2007-11-06T12:32:00.000-08:00

Changing the change
Design Visions, Proposals and Tools.
An international conference on the role and potential of design research in the transition towards sustainability
Torino, 10th - 11th - 12th July 2008
Organised by Co-ordination of Italian Design Research Doctorates with Conference of Italian Design Faculty Deans and Programme Heads
In the framework of WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL TORINO 2008 © ICSIDAn Icsid initiative of the IDA

The conference "Changing the Change" seeks to make a significant contribution to a necessary transformation that involves changing the direction of current changes toward a sustainable future. It specifically intends to outline the state-of-the-art of design research in terms of visions, proposals and tools with which design can actively and positively take part in the wider social learning process that will have to take place.At the heart of the conference design researchers will present concrete and documentable research results. This will be complemented by invited keynote speaker's presentations that will help paint a clearer picture of the common ground from which the conference will take off.

Des+gn mais

2007-10-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

The Des+gn Mais programme began in 2004, when CPD coordinated the funds and a team to get it underway. It was originally called “Plan for Design in Productive Sectors”. The aim was to use design to enhance competitiveness and economic development. The programme was planned to run for 24 months under the auspices of the Centro Português de Design (CPD). The programme is now drawing towards its close in the first half of 2007 and results are already being evaluated.

The aim of Des+gn Mais is the internationalisation of Portuguese economy. This is to be achieved in four separate ways: by penetrating external markets; by promoting a design culture; by improving companies’ capabilities and by developing products, images and brands. The programme was aimed at graduate designers looking for their first job, or unemployed young designers and Portuguese companies and businesses. In total 76 professionals, 66 companies and 10 associations were involved in the programme.

DETECTED BY: SEEDESIGN - www.seedesign.org

ART, NATURE, DESIGN

2007-10-19T02:28:00.000-07:00

AND (Art Nature Design) is a young design-organisation that has a special interest in connecting “poverty reduction" to “environmental issues" in third world countries. With the “African skin" project European designers develop new products out of bark cloth for the international market. Essential to these designs is that the production has to take place in Uganda to generate income for Ugandan women and to improve local environmental aspects at the same time.

René Malcorps, winner of the BiD Challenge 2006, proved that not only do SMEs generate employment and income, they are also an engine for innovation and expertise. Malcorps won one of the main prizes with his plan “African Skin”, a unique concept to develop products from bark in Uganda. With his business he supports local society, as well as the environment. The first products of “African Skin” have recently been launched.

PRESS RELEASE
Amsterdam, April 2007
Fighting poverty with profit
The BiD Challenge 2007 is opened!
http://www.gvepinternational.org/_file/111/BiD%20Press%20Release.pdf
http://www.artnaturedesign.nl/

NEW DIRECTIONS IN CRAFT

2007-10-19T01:45:00.000-07:00

“Design can be used as a tool for cultural exchange, connecting people”

We, along with nine other Man and Humanity Master students from the Eindhoven Design Academy collaborated in a project together with craftspeople in the area of Kachchh, India, to contemporise the crafts.
Crafts are an integral part of Indian identity. These once commonly used crafted objects now struggle on the market in competition with mass-produced goods, therefore reducing sales and viability of the craft. This scenario also forces sons and daughters of craftsmen to take up menial jobs in the city rather than learn the craft, customarily passed on through the generations.
For a period of six weeks we lived and worked together with local craftsmen to share our culture, know-how and skills, in order to commonly develop alternative ways to maintain their rich, traditional crafts in a post industrial world. The results of this collaboration were exhibited in New Delhi at the India International Centre.
This project was done in association with Eye, Icco, the Royal Netherlands Embassy, and local NGO’s: Dastkar (Delhi) and Khamir (Kachchh).

ENJOY THE DIFFERENCE

2007-10-19T01:16:00.000-07:00

Man & Humanity proposes an intensive program of design studies that respond to the increasing concerns of
Globalisation. It seeks a profound engagement from creative individuals who wish to readdress the role of the designer in this context and apply ideas to designing products and systems that help sustain the future of our planet and its inhabitants at the same time taking into account ethical standards of production and distribution that
respect Man and the Environment.
We interrogate the direct effect of design on people’s livelihoods and consider our responsibility towards communities we encounter during the projects. The master education develops a full awareness of the humanitarian and environmental context, and the long-term strategies and methods that can be applied to move development forward, for the betterment of our planet.

DESIGN SOLIDARIO

2007-10-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

A exposição Design Solidário Brasil - Holanda pretende divulgar o desenvolvimento do projeto Design Solidário, um trabalho conjunto de A CASA - Museu Virtual de Artes e Artefatos Brasileiros, URBAN FABRIC/Holanda, Academia de Design de Eindhoven, Holanda, Fundação Padre João Câncio e Associação dos Artesãos do Sertão Central de Serrita, Pernambuco, e Associação Comunitária Monte Azul, de São Paulo.

http://www.culturalbandepe.com.br/ http://www.acasa.org.br/arquivo.php?modo=objeto&pchave=Design+Solid%E1rio

TODOMUNDO

2007-10-16T04:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.todomundo.org/vision.html
TODOMUNDO is an international network of creative people interested in design as a powerful tool for social innovation.

RED - Design Council

2007-10-16T02:59:00.000-07:00

RED is a 'do tank' that develops new thinking and practice on social and economic problems through design-led innovation.
RED was set up in 2004 by the Design Council to tackle social and economic issues through design led innovation.
http://www.designcouncil.info/mt/RED/publications/publicationscontainer/About_RED_presentation.pdf
http://www.designcouncil.info/mt/RED/transformationdesign/TransformationDesignFinalDraft.pdf

DESIGN GATEz

2007-10-09T01:31:00.001-07:00

DESIGN GATEz: You are leaving the European sector. Intercultural communication through design
15th November 2007, 10:00 - 17:00 h
The changing economic conditions in the wake of globalisation are opening up new opportunities for all participants, but, on the other hand, are also calling into question privileges, traditions and habits. In export, cultural differences of the individual markets form an enormous challenge for products and services. Shapes, colours, symbols and names have different meanings in other cultures. Interpretation, orienting yourself towards the values and experiences of your own cultural area can lead to fundamental communication problems. Within the framework of the seminar, these differences will be discussed in relation to products and marketing strategies.

PEOPLink

2007-10-03T03:40:00.000-07:00

PEOPLink is a US based non-profit organization helping artisans all over the world sell their handmade items on-line while showcasing their cultural richness. We empower them to use our CatGen (for "catalog generator") e-commerce platform to create their own web catalog. Each artisan group maintains its own catalog up to date with the latest offerings and lots of information on the artists and the culture.

Craft and Design as a Career

2007-10-03T03:31:00.000-07:00

Friday 31 August, 2007
Making it: Craft and Design as a Career
From identifying opportunities, dealing with business and commercial issues to a bit of creative inspiration, this professional practice seminar is for emerging craft and design practitioners.

http://www.craftvic.asn.au/events/CraftVictoria__CraftandDesignasaCareer_31Aug2007.pdf

Co-Creando

2007-10-02T09:32:00.001-07:00

Co-Creando’s multicultural team is an international network of consultants from Italy, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and the Middle East. What makes this team unique is that it groups local talents and indigenous knowledge and operates in a global market.

Specific competences are required for the development of every single research, design or consultancy project. Co-Creando’s distinguished approach to work is based on the creation of On Demand Project Teams that rapidly unite the best necessary competences, made possible by the Co-Creando network, which brings together highly competent professionals and academics who have developed strong relationships with creative and business practices.

CRAFT REVIVAL TRUST

2007-10-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

Accessing Markets
An enormous challenge faced by organizations and artisans is the challenge of accessing markets. Market Access is often cited as being the pivotal element for a sustainable future. As Ikhtiar, a bell maker from Jalesar, Utter Pradesh observed that though “all learning is important, market information is primary”

While design intervention in crafts is welcomed by some as a necessity and an opportunity for exploring new prospects, it is often considered by others as a threat. Designers Meet Artisans aims to address these concerns in an objective manner and clarify the scope, processes and modalities of a proper design intervention in crafts. This volume offers, for the first time, a dual presentation of the experiences of two countries—Colombia and India—which have a particularly rich and dynamic craft tradition. The case studies include the perspectives of design students and professional designers, thus offering analysis at two levels.

SEMINAR - INDIA

2007-10-02T03:54:00.000-07:00

March 2003
CELEBRATING CRAFT
a symposium on the stateof handicraft

http://www.india-seminar.com/2003/523.htm

September 2005
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

a symposium on culture based development strategies

http://www.india-seminar.com/2005/553.htm

February 2007

CRAFTING AN EDUCATION

a symposium on introducing craftlearning in modern education

http://www.india-seminar.com/2007/570.htm

Ten Thousand Villages

2007-09-22T07:58:00.000-07:00

Since 1946 Ten Thousand Villages has supported the work of literally tens of thousands of artisans in over 30 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East, making us one the largest fair trade organizations in North America. Working with more than 100 artisan groups, we purchase fine pieces from craftspeople with whom we have longstanding, nurturing relationships…helping to bring dignity to their lives.
Ten Thousand Villages is a founding member of the International Fair Trade Association, an organization that includes over 200 members in 55 countries, including many artisan groups in developing countries. We are part of a worldwide movement that is striving to improve the livelihood of disadvantaged people in developing countries through the expansion of fair trade.

EUROSTARS

2007-09-21T06:32:00.000-07:00

A Eurostars project is a European research and development project. It can address any technological area, but must have a civilian purpose and be aimed at the development of a new product, process or service. A Eurostars project is collaborative, meaning it must involve at least two SME participants (legal entities) from two different Eurostars participating countries. In addition, the main participant must be a research-performing SME from one of these countries.
The role of the SME participants in the project should be significant. At least 50% of the project’s core activity should be carried out by SMEs. This percentage can, however, include minor contracting. The consortium should be well balanced, which means that no participant or country will be required to invest more than 75% of the total project costs.A Eurostars project should be market-driven: it must have a maximum duration of three years, and within two years of project completion, the product of the research should be ready for launch onto the market. The exception to this rule applies to biomedical or medical projects, where clinical trials must be started within two years of project completion.

DANISH EDGE

2007-09-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

The birth of DANISH EDGEDANISH EDGE is sponsored by the Danish Ministry of Culture and is part of a strategy aiming to strengthen Danish design over a four-year period. A key priority is to create synergy between Danish design, crafts and architecture through an array of initiatives that will leave their mark in an international context. This means that for the first time, the Danish Design Centre, Danish Crafts and the Danish Architecture Centre have joined forces to develop the strategy and to launch a number of collective activities. Download summery of the strategy

The activities include:
_International branding activities focusing on China and New York
_Launch of the international website and newsletter Danish Edge
_Travel grants for young Danish designers, craftspeople and architects who wish to go abroad to improve their professional skills
_Consultancy aimed at establishing new learning opportunities for young Danish designers, craftspeople and architect