Desire

Wallpaper represents hope in Cape Town – World Design Capital 2014

During the bidding phase of Cape Town’s Winning World Design Capital 2014 campaign, the focus was often on the need that Cape Town had, not for high-end ‘stuff and pretty objects’, but for creative problem solving. The emphasis was on the important role that interesting, functional and beautiful objects and environments play in transforming lives (the successful application of user centred design principles).

Textile designer Jane Solomon, at the request of the Cape Craft and Design Institute, recently worked with women from the Saartjie Baartman Centre to transform their dining area. The one-stop centre in Manenberg caters for women and children who experience domestic and / or sexual violence. As well as providing a 24-hour emergency shelter, the centre also provides short and medium term residential care, childcare services, counselling, mental health support, and legal and economic empowerment services.

Due to limited resources, the main section had an under-equipped and uninviting dining area. Synnov Skorge, director of the Saartjie Baartman Centre, says: “The women come here under extreme, emergency circumstances. Our funding covers the basic needs, but we wanted a welcoming, comfortable dining space where the women could enjoy their meals with their children and reconstruct their families.”

In an effort to enable and inspire, Jane worked with 10 women from the centre over four days to redesign their visual environment … collaborating on the creation of a colour palette and incorporating circular mandalas that express challenges, hopes, experiences and more. These paper circles – or flowers – were scanned and professionally printed as the “Flowers for Saartjie” wallpaper.

“The wallpaper is both attractive and profound because of the messages about [the women’s] experiences,” says Synnov. “It is a testimony to their lives and where they are going, about the strength they have shown.” More information here.

City of Cape Town appointed as World Design Capital 2014

“Taipei, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) – The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) announced today that the City of Cape Town (South Africa) has been designated the World Capital Design (WDC) 2014. Cape Town is the fourth city to hold this biennial appointment and marks the first for the African continent”.

Respect
Cape Town ran an exceptional campaign. They began their campaign very early, they devised a visual identity that was very strong (in black and yellow) and they consistently and in a single-minded way applied that identity everywhere … and it was displayed on thousands of websites (17,500+ when I last checked). Capetonians in general gave their unreserved and enthusiastic support for the bid – the theme of which was a very accessible and usable “Live Design. Transform Life”. The enduring image of the WDC 2014 Bid Campaign is Cape Town’s Table Mountain illuminated in yellow on the evening of the Icsid Jury visit. Congratulations and well done to all involved – great success in 2014.

Table Mountain was illuminated yellow on the occasion of the Icsid/WDC visit

There are two winners from this campaign – Cape Town and The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) who ran an exceptionally professional project and kept the World Design Capital brand on track. This brand is not just important to Icsid, and not just important to Cape Town and the previously designated Turin (2008), Seoul (2010) and Helsinki (2012) – it helps change the way city inhabitants and city administrators around the world view and understand their environment and how it can be improved.

From the Cape Town official bid website: “Cape Town’s feeling on top of the world after being named World Design Capital 2014. Want to catch the fever? Watch this video – screened at the International Design Alliance (IDA) Congress in Taipei during an electrifying announcement of the Mother City’s win.”

It’s the end of the World

Actually it’s only the end of the World Design Capital 2014 Bid Process.

Wednesday 26th at noon in Taipei (5am in Dublin) the announcement confirming which of the three short-listed cities will be designated WDC 2014 will be made.

Win, Lose or Draw the Thomas Reid (corner of Parliament Street and Dame Street) has been designated as the meeting place (Wednesday at 6.30pm) for those wishing to celebrate or commiserate.

It’s not an ‘official’ event just a get together to mark the occasion – and everyone is welcome so pass on the details.

World Design Capital 2014 – ‘Building the Groundswell for Pivot Dublin’

Dublin is now shortlisted for designation as World Design Capital 2014. As the tension-filled days passed, and the bids were submitted, the organisers announced that over 50 cities had expressed interest – now our city is one of just three left in the race.

The prize is an important one. Becoming World Design Capital in 2014 would not simply change the design sector for ever … or the Creative Sector … it would change Dublin City forever and help make it more liveable, lively and interesting (as well as more manageable).

Winning designation as World Design Capital 2014 will change things for the better – for everyone … and everyone can help. Below are two images – it would be very helpful if you could put one of them on your organization or company webpage with a back-link to www.pivotdublin.com

And it would be even more beneficial if you could send them to each of your members / friends / followers with your request that they also support the Pivot Dublin effort by putting a Pivot Dublin image on their sites (with the same back-link) too. And please use them on your emails too!

This would be an effective component of ‘Building the Groundswell for Pivot Dublin’ at this important time. There is plenty left to do if we are to turn a short-listing into a triumph!

Dublin on WDC 2014 shortlist

The news that Dublin is one of the three cities short-listed for designation as World Design Capital 2014 is welcomed by the representative bodies of the Irish Creative Sector. Although certain of the irrefutable power of the Pivot Dublin bid there has been a period of nail-biting tension for members of the Irish Creative Community as the days ‘clicked’ closer to the announcement. Now it is official – Dublin joins Cape Town and Bilbao on the shortlist. One of these cities will be designated World Design Capital 2014 in October.

To be included on the shortlist is a milestone for Dublin City – and there is now a window of opportunity for Dublin to show the ‘WDC decision-makers’ that Dublin is the one! The selection committee will visit the three listed cities in the next few weeks – prior to reaching a final decision on which city will be designated World Design Capital 2014. It is all to play for.

The Irish Creative Industries can help lead our economy back towards growth, can put our people back to work and can tell an uplifting story of Ireland and of the creative skills and abilities of its people. Being shortlisted in this very important competition provides a significant step forward on that road. Well done to Ali Grehan, Owen O’Doherty, Bob Gray (Red & Grey Design), Emma Curley (Emma Curley Architecture, Urban Design, Facilitation), Tom Burke and Shane Hogan (Areaman Productions), Dr. Linda King (IADT) and Henrietta McKervey who deserve unreserved congratulations for taking the Dublin bid this far.

Garrett Stokes, Chairperson at Design Business Ireland [DBI]
Eddie Shanahan, Chairperson at Council of Irish Fashion Designers [CIFD]
Seamus Byrne, Interaction Design Association [IxDA]
Sarah Brown, President, Interiors Association [iA]
Elaine McDevitt, Operations Director, Institute of Creative Advertising & Design [ICAD]
Carol Coffey, President of Institute of designers [IDI]

– – – – –

Expect to be inspired

As the pressure intensifies and the submission deadline comes closer, Dublin’s Bid for World Design Capital, 2014 comes more sharply into perspective. The closing date for tenders was Tuesday 26 October 2010 – so an announcement about the winner must be imminent. Their role will be to prepare the bid presentation (working closely with Dublin City Council) for submission to ICSID by March 31st 2011. A four month turnaround is demanding , working to such a tight schedule – with Christmas ‘interfering’ at the start – will require an ‘all hands on deck’ approach. Some work will already have taken place in advance of tenders being submitted.

On Wednesday 24 November The Trinity Long Room Hub presents a lunchtime talk by Ali Grehan, Dublin City Architect, Dublin City Council.

Everyone who reads this blog already knows the background – Dublin City and County Councils, in collaboration with the successful tenderer, are preparing a bid to have Dublin designated the World Design Capital of 2014.

The bid itself has one objective – Achieve World Design Capital 2014 designation for Dublin … but the bid submission process has a number of important objectives/outcomes including:

(1) Unify and strengthen the Irish design community and make it more effective as a driver of innovation (this is already beginning to happening)
(2) Set the stage for a subsequent WDC winning bid … in the event that Dublin WDC designation is not achieved on this occasion (this will be the natural outcome of a strong initial bid)
(3) Begin and follow through on the process of making Dublin a ‘real’ design capital – for the benefit of its citizens and visitors (this in itself is a vast project but it has already started).

World Design Capital is a biennial designation awarded following a competition held by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid). The award is intended as a way of recognising cities that most effectively use design as a tool for social, cultural and economic progress.

In submitting a bid, Dublin will compete with a number of other cities worldwide. Some of these cities are recognised globally as centres for design, others have, over recent years, begun to build towards that status and have deployed significant financial and human resources over several years in preparing their cities and their bids.

Dublin cannot currently claim to be a centre for world-class design, but in this talk Ali Grehan will outline the ambition, imagination and vision behind the bid to fashion Dublin into an internationally-recognised centre of excellence in this field.

The Irish Creative/Design Community has considerable potential. There should be no doubt about our ability to mount an exceptional WDC year (when we achieve that designation) and by doing so to contribute greatly to the development of the WDC brand itself – as well as creating a much more pleasant, equal, green, social, interesting … and creative city for citizens of Dublin and those who visit.

BUT … Realistically, this is a most difficult ‘project’ to win as the competition includes many outstanding global cities with longer histories in design, with deeper pockets to fund projects, (and now with more stable economies!) and there are other issues too.

Where are we now? Ail Grehan and Dublin City Council have provided the leadership and impetus for the bid. The design community and the creative sector in general have joined ‘the cause’. Dublin’s bid must be submitted by 31st March 2011. The clock is running – and even after the bid is submitted there is much work to be done.

EVENT DETAILS: Wednesday 24 November from 1 – 2 pm, The Trinity Long Room Hub presents a lunchtime talk by Ali Grehan, Dublin City Architect, Dublin City Council, in the Neill / Hoey Lecture theatre, Trinity Long Room Building, Fellows’ Square, Trinity College Dublin, Admission Free, All Welcome

For two days in January Helsinki and Paris will be World Design Capital

My favourite city is Helsinki, or perhaps its Paris, no Helsinki, Paris! It is a choice I won’t have to make next January as I can enjoy two days when Helsinki and Paris will be World Design Capital. The 8th International Conference on the Challenges of Design Support in Europe will take place in Paris on Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th January 2011 in Cité des Sciences et de l’industrie. Organised by the Agency for the Promotion of Industrial Creation (Agence pour la promotion de la création industrielle [APCI]) the first day of the event will focus on the career paths of design professionals.

The second day will be co-presented by APCI, World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 and the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design [Icsid] and will focus on the following issues:

– the broad impact of the WDC application process on the regional design resources (professionals, clients, schools, institutions etc.)

– an essential axis of Helsinki’s project: using design to promote citizen’s welfare. The municipality (and the neighboring ones) intend to transform Public Service using design approaches and design thinking

– starting a dialog between Helsinki, ambassador of a European spirit of design, and the global challenges of the profession. In other words, to what extent, and how, design might contribute to build communities that can evolve in harmony.

Those who manage World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 have long ago decided that one year was ‘insufficient’ to celebrate Helsinki as a World Design Capital and that the celebration should begin by 2011, run through 2012 and continue beyond the designated year.

I visited Helsinki in October and already the Design District was humming with anticipation – their 2010/2011 design book was published and on sale, the discrete blue window stickers proclaiming World Design Capital 2012 were on display and everyone was willing to discuss design and WDC. I am a frequent visitor to Finland and I know this is as close as the (reserved) Finns get to public euphoria (leaving aside Finnish “horror rock” group Lordi and their surprise win at the 51st Eurovision Song Contest.)

APCI
Created in 1983 with the intention of the bringing together of culture, research and industry, in collaboration with its members and its partners, APCI develops tools and group actions that provoked the economic, social and cultural aspects of French design in France and abroad.

Icsid
Founded in 1957 the primary aim of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design [Icsid] is to advance the discipline of industrial design at an international level. Icsid is a non-profit organisation that protects and promotes the interests of the profession of industrial design.

World Design Capital (WDC)
Under the direction of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid), the WDC promotes the importance of good design strengthening and empowering cities to use design to position their competitive advantages from a social, cultural and economic point of view. The World Design Capital project is a biennial international designation created to identify and recognise cities that have effectively used design to revive the city and improve its quality of life.

Further conference information:
Jean Schneider
Chef de project / APCI Project manager, email: conf.apci@free.fr

World Design Capital Bid Resources – Pivot Dublin

Dublin City Council has published a Request for Tender for those interested in bidding to provide ‘bid support’ to DCC for the Official Pivot Dublin Bid to achieve designation as World Design Capital 2014.

Those intending to respond to DCCs Request for Tender may find the following links useful. I will continuously update this information as relevant material is published.

2014: DUBLIN:
Official Bid Website
Pivot Dublin Press release here.
Original Dublin City Council document from April 2010 here.

2014: CAPE TOWN:
Official Cape Town Bid Site
Cape Town FAQ
Cape Town Businesses in Support of Bid
Andrew Boraine’s perspective
Showcase for the South African creative industry
Cape Town on youtube

2014: BILBAO:
Comment on Bilbao Bid

2014: BEIJING:
According to the statistics from Beijing Statistics Bureau, Beijing at present has 20,000 various design companies and enterprises with 250,000 employees, and also has 112 design institutes and colleges with over 30,000 students! This creative city is drawing a creative workforce, what better example than Oliver Boulay, the chief designer of Mercedes-Benz, who moved to Beijing in April 2009 and has established the Mercedes-Benz Beijing Design Centre. ICOGRADA’s 2009 World Design Congress was held in Beijing. Chinese concept and design magazine is here.
Editorial

2012: HELSINKI
Helsinki was successful in its bid for designation as World Design Capital (WDC) 2012, their bid document is here.
The Helsinki WDC 2012 website is here.
This is also useful.

2012: EINDHOVEN
Eindhoven was the only other city to be shortlisted for WDC 2012, the bid document is here.
Blog Comment on Eindhoven

2012: NOTTINGHAM
Nottingham’s 2012 bid is here
Dexiner Comment on Bid Support Consultancy
BBC article about Nottingham bid
Another look at a Nottingham brand for their bid

2010: SEOUL
Seoul is WDC 2010. The South Korean capital was the WDC first city chosen through competition. Their WDC website is here. Other useful sites are here, and here and here… and the Business Week review entitled “The Seoul of World Design” is here.

Creative Cities attract Creative Talent: General Motors has established its Advanced Design Studio in Seoul where there are now 30 designers at the studio doing interior and exterior design for GM’s mini and small vehicles.

2008: TURIN
Turin was WDC 2008. It was chosen by Icsid in order to test/demonstrate the viability of the WDC concept. The Turin website is here.

Comments / additional information … all very welcome.

The next six months in Seoul (calendar of 82 events)

July 2010 (14 events):
International Young Designers Workshop
Seoul Youth Creativity Summit & Festival (until August)
“Children and Parents Joining Together” Design Workshop (until August)
Project of Local Community Artist Development (until August)
Hanstyle Expo 2010
Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival (July 21-25)
Seoul Character & Licensing Fair 2010
Design Exhibition at Kumho Museum
Design Exhibition at Doosung paper gallery
Golden Eyes international Art Fair
MBC Architecture Fair
Package Design Summer Camp
SICAF Promotion Plan 2010 (SPP) (July 21-23)
Seoul International e-Sports Festival (July 23-25)

August 2010 (6 events):
8th Samwon Scholarship Foundation Awardees Design Exhibition (August 16-30)
17th Design Competition for the Youth
Korea Art Summer Festival
KODDCO 2010 (Korea Digital Design International Online Competition – until November)
Xi Design Fiesta
Seoul Brand Furniture Fair (August 20-25)
Korea International Furniture & Interior Fair

September 2010 (19 events):
6th Seoul International Media Art Biennale (until November)
7th QMON Design Ground (September 15th – December 30th)
Korea International Art Fair 2010 (September 08-12)
Seoul International Contemporary Art Festival 2010
International Creative Content Fair 2010
Special Exhibition – Gyeonghuigung Palace (September 17th – October 31st)
Good Design Selection 2010
Seoul Digital Culture Open 2010
Tokyo TDC Seoul Exhibition (Tokyo Type Directors Club – until October)
Cutting Edge Best Digital Designers Invitational Exhibition
College Fashion Week
Dongdaemun Fashion Festival 2010 (September 15-22 – TBD)
Korea Textile Trade Fair
Korean Crafts Council Exhibition
Seoul Gift Show 2010
Seoul Drum Festival 2010
Riverside Cafe Festival
Hangang Performing Artist Project (until October)
Seoul e-Culture Festival 2010 (September 29)

October 2010 (25 events):
Seoul Design Olympiad 2010 (October 8-31)
Haechi Festival
“Seoul, I Design” Public Design Competition 2010
International Design House Exhibition (October 8-31)
Seoul Design Market 2010 (October 8-31)
WDC Convocation Ceremony (October 30-31)
Seoul Design Studio Design Company Exhibition
Korea Space Design Festival 2010
Seoul Fashion Week 2010 (Autumn edition)
Visiting Fashion Show 2010
Design MADE
Playgrounds With Culture (Autumn edition)
Hangeul Font Type Design Competition
POSCO Steel Art Award
Steel Design Competition
PIN UP Design Awards 2010
Korea Architecture Fair & Festival 2010
International Lighting Fair 2010
Seoul International Toy Fair 2010
Designtag Online Shop
Saemungil Festival (October 16-21)
Hangang Children’s Drawing Contest
Itaewon Global Village Festival
Seoul Metro Vintage Show
Seoul International Performance Festival 2010 – SIPF 2010

November 2010 (9 events):
International Exhibition of Professional Artists 2010
VIDAK Annual Members Exhibition (Visual Information Design Association of Korea)
KOSIGN 2010 – Korea International Sign & Design Show (November 11-14)
Korea Package Design Competition
Korea Interior Design Contest
Public Design Expo 2010
Post-Professional School of Architecture, Korea Institute of Architects
Home & Table Deco Fair
Korea Society of Design Science Conference 2010 (Autumn edition)

December 2010 (9 events):
Design Korea 2010 (TBD)
Seoul Design Festival 2010 (December 7-11)
Seoul Ice Carving Festival 2010
Korea Invention Patent Exhibition
2010 Trademark – Design Right Exhibition
Siggraph Asia 2010 (December 15-18)
Creative Designers Award
Seoul International New Art Fair
Design Yearbook “Creatio”

World Design Capital (WDC) –
Was WDC; Is WDC; Will be WDC … and Wanna-be WDC

Dublin is considering a bid for WDC designation in either 2014 or 2016.
Anyone interested in World Design Capital events can find information by following these links:

WAS WDC 2008:
Torino

IS WDC 2010:
Seoul Design Olympiad
and
Seoul – World Design Capital 2010

WILL BE WDC 2012:
Helsinki – World Design Capital

WANNA BE WDC 2014: (this is just a selection of the bidders for WDC designation in 2014)
Cape Town
Taipei
Beijing
Bilbao

Catalysto wins Bronze Award at ICAD Awards for its creative work for the Institute of Art Design & Technology (IADT).: July 5th, 2013

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World Industrial Design Day: April 24th, 2013

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Closing date for the second call to the WDC Micro-Loan Fund for the Creative Industries is last working day of March 2013.: March 5th, 2013

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The Illustrated Beatles: October 23rd, 2012

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illusive forms and letters (typography-calligraphy-graffiti): June 27th, 2012

Stroke Urban Art Fair – Berlin, 13 – 16 September 2012. The Stroke Urban Art Fair Berlin, now in its third year will take place once again at the Postbahnhof Berlin. Within the last two years, more than 60,000 visitors came to see artists and galleries from all over the world including Poland, Brazil, Austria, […]
Global Design Forum … one day to set the global agenda for design: June 25th, 2012

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Cities proclaim 29 June World Industrial Design Day: June 25th, 2012

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London Design Festival -15 to 23 September 2012: June 25th, 2012

Over ten days in September, the London Design Festival will feature hundreds of events that take place across London, showcasing the city’s pivotal role in global design. First staged in 2003, the London Design Festival is one of the world’s most important annual design events. The Festival programme is made up of over 300 […]
In denial about Climate Change?: June 5th, 2012

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Conceived@NUIM – Design innovation concepts brought to life: May 28th, 2012

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Light Fantastic – exhibition of lighting design in the Malthouse Design Centre: May 28th, 2012

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Design Graduate End-of-Year Show 2012 calendar: May 24th, 2012

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Nokia Pure: May 23rd, 2012

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Ticket to London Olympics: May 23rd, 2012

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Wallpaper represents hope in Cape Town – World Design Capital 2014: May 22nd, 2012

During the bidding phase of Cape Town’s Winning World Design Capital 2014 campaign, the focus was often on the need that Cape Town had, not for high-end ‘stuff and pretty objects’, but for creative problem solving. The emphasis was on the important role that interesting, functional and beautiful objects and environments play in transforming lives […]
Open Manifesto Issue 6 (Myth) launched: May 22nd, 2012

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THNK, the Amsterdam School of Creative Leadership announces additions to its foundation board: May 21st, 2012

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No Talk, All Action – Launch a Startup in 54 hours at Startup Weekend Dublin (2nd to 4th of March 2012): January 27th, 2012

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IxDA – Interaction12, International Conference, Dublin, Ireland: January 10th, 2012

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The winners of the Design Business Ireland Irish Design Effectiveness Awards (IDEA) 2011 have been announced: December 19th, 2011

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The Jury deliberated…: December 8th, 2011

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Universal Design Challenge 2011: November 3rd, 2011

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City of Cape Town appointed as World Design Capital 2014: October 26th, 2011

“Taipei, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) – The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) announced today that the City of Cape Town (South Africa) has been designated the World Capital Design (WDC) 2014. Cape Town is the fourth city to hold this biennial appointment and marks the first for the African continent”. Respect Cape Town […]
It’s the end of the World: October 25th, 2011

Actually it’s only the end of the World Design Capital 2014 Bid Process. Wednesday 26th at noon in Taipei (5am in Dublin) the announcement confirming which of the three short-listed cities will be designated WDC 2014 will be made. Win, Lose or Draw the Thomas Reid (corner of Parliament Street and Dame Street) has been […]
World Design Capital (WDC) 2014 winner to be announced on the final day of International Design Alliance (IDA) Congress in Taipei: October 18th, 2011

A little more than one week from now the activists behind two city bids will be distraught while those of the winning city on the shortlist – Cape Town, Dublin or Bilbao will be dancing in the streets. Who is it to be … Capetonians, Dubliners or Bilbaínos? Those attending the official announcement of the […]
DBI launches a member’s endorsement identity: October 12th, 2011

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World Design Capital 2014 – ‘Building the Groundswell for Pivot Dublin’: June 23rd, 2011

Dublin is now shortlisted for designation as World Design Capital 2014. As the tension-filled days passed, and the bids were submitted, the organisers announced that over 50 cities had expressed interest – now our city is one of just three left in the race. The prize is an important one. Becoming World Design Capital in […]
Dublin on WDC 2014 shortlist: June 21st, 2011

The news that Dublin is one of the three cities short-listed for designation as World Design Capital 2014 is welcomed by the representative bodies of the Irish Creative Sector. Although certain of the irrefutable power of the Pivot Dublin bid there has been a period of nail-biting tension for members of the Irish Creative Community […]
World Design Capital (WDC) 2014 – Shortlist Fever: June 5th, 2011

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Design Graduate End-of-Year Shows: May 26th, 2011

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Design and Craft Summer School 2011 … The Design Tower Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2: May 26th, 2011

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Coming to your senses: May 25th, 2011

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“No pre-contract strategic proposal or visual concept should leave your building without its barcode”: May 23rd, 2011

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The brand is the experience and the experience is the brand: May 20th, 2011

Apple has become the world’s #1 brand. Garrett Stokes [creative director at catalysto] talks about how the soaring value of a brand is based, not on products or visual identities, but on consumer’s experiences. The Apple brand has an estimated value of $153 billion … Apple’s total tangible assets are half that. The brand is […]
A new and innovative way to see (and experience) Dublin: May 10th, 2011

Storymap – an engaging collection of stories and experiences, each about a place in Dublin can be accessed online at www.storymap.ie A newly launched project called Storymap which, according to Thomas Rowley (who runs Storymap.ie along with a colleague, Andy Flaherty) “is a website that collects interesting stories about Dublin, films them in the relevant […]
Spring 2011 – Vilnius design week: 9-13 May ICOGRADA in partnership with Ministry of Culture and Lithuanian Graphic Design Association (LGDA): May 8th, 2011

Russell Kennedy, Icograda President 2009-2011 says: “Through the theme of ‘Spring’, Icograda Design Week in Vilnius 2011 explores design as a powerful process that transitions ideas into functional realities. Participants will examine design as a basis for development – a tool that can be used to advance the best interests of humanity and the ecology. […]
Pivot Dublin – World Design Capital (WDC) LinkedIn Discussion Group is now an open group – join now and contribute to Dublin’s future as a Design Capital: May 7th, 2011

Design plays an important role in society. For the first time in human history, the world’s population is now mostly urban. Designers (employing ‘design-thinking’ across a wide range of problem-solving disciplines) are leading the development of new products, services and processes that enhance and enrich the lives of city dwellers. Design and Innovation are inextricably […]
Open House Dublin has secured the necessary funding for its annual book through Fundit.: May 6th, 2011

417 subscribers pledged €17,612 (17% over target) by the end of the fundraising campaign. Congratulations to all concerned … Fund it is an Irish crowdfunding website for creative projects, giving everyone the power to help good ideas happen. It is designed to support greater individual giving to the creative sector. The success of this campaign […]
Open House Dublin Annual Book – €8,399.00 needed within the next 7 days – get on fundit.ie and play your part: April 27th, 2011

Fund it is an Irish crowdfunding website for creative projects, giving everyone the power to help good ideas happen. It is designed to support greater individual giving to the creative sector. Open House Dublin is the biggest celebration of architecture in Ireland presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation. Over one weekend in October, buildings of […]
Shooting ourselves in both feet: April 4th, 2011

A letter appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner on March 15, 2011. It was written by a typesetter who has successfully tendered for projects for The Royal Irish Academy over the course of eight years. The author was unsuccessful this year and the project was awarded to an overseas service provider who […]
Making a Mark at Rebrand 100 Global Awards: March 7th, 2011

REBRAND is a leading resource focused on effective brand transformations. The annual REBRAND 100 Global Awards is a highly regarded recognition for repositioned brands. Global organizations, Fortune 50 corporations, small businesses, accomplished entrepreneurs, respected nonprofit organizations, cities, and renowned universities from around the world are regularly represented in the REBRAND 100 Global Awards. The 2011 […]
Design Business Ireland EGM: February 23rd, 2011

Design Business Ireland is the national professional organisation representing design businesses in Ireland. The DBI EGM is taking place on Wednesday February 23rd at 6pm in the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8 and (among other issues) attendees will be discussing the future of DBI and the design industry in Ireland, the growing […]
World Design Impact Prize: February 23rd, 2011

The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) recently unveiled the World Design Impact Prize, an innovative and interactive design prize dedicated to recognizing, empowering and stimulating socially responsible design projects and initiatives around the world. Starting 22 February 2011 at www.icsid.org, Icsid will begin accepting nominations from member organisations for exceptional industrial design […]
The Innovate!100 list of outstanding and fast-moving start-up companies: December 9th, 2010

The Innovate!100 list of outstanding and fast-moving start-up companies from around the world has been announced. The list was developed after more than 30 Innovate! Pitch Slam events were held on five continents over the past 10 months as part of the Innovate! 2010 program. Dublin’s Pitch Slam took place March 8. Getting onto the […]
Expect to be inspired: November 21st, 2010

As the pressure intensifies and the submission deadline comes closer, Dublin’s Bid for World Design Capital, 2014 comes more sharply into perspective. The closing date for tenders was Tuesday 26 October 2010 – so an announcement about the winner must be imminent. Their role will be to prepare the bid presentation (working closely with Dublin […]
For two days in January Helsinki and Paris will be World Design Capital: November 16th, 2010

My favourite city is Helsinki, or perhaps its Paris, no Helsinki, Paris! It is a choice I won’t have to make next January as I can enjoy two days when Helsinki and Paris will be World Design Capital. The 8th International Conference on the Challenges of Design Support in Europe will take place in Paris […]
Design Week – everything is a highlight!: November 5th, 2010

After an exceptional opening on Monday, Design Week (sponsored by Crown Paints) continues to entertain, inform and illuminate. Opening duties fell to Wayne Hemingway – co-founder of Red or Dead. Humorous, creative, modest, imaginative are some of the words that spring to mind – Inspirational is another. It was the perfect opening. Tuesday night saw […]
World Design Capital Bid Resources – Pivot Dublin: September 30th, 2010

Dublin City Council has published a Request for Tender for those interested in bidding to provide ‘bid support’ to DCC for the Official Pivot Dublin Bid to achieve designation as World Design Capital 2014. Those intending to respond to DCCs Request for Tender may find the following links useful. I will continuously update this information […]
Thai Design industry enjoys a head start!: September 22nd, 2010

TCDC permanent exhibition, members lounge and library There is a 543 year difference between the Buddhist calendar and the Gregorian calendar. The year 2010 in Europe is 2553 in Thailand. In some respects the Thais are already ‘in the future’. From the ‘national design infrastructure’ perspective they are certainly ahead of us. I have spent […]
Meet the World’s Smartest Start-up … in Dublin (it could be you): September 10th, 2010

IBM’s SmartCamp is an exclusive program bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and experienced mentors who want to build a Smarter Planet. The programme provides access to world-class advisors plus a direct route to seed and venture capital. SmartCamp is a global program which will be run in the following eight cities in 2010: Stockholm (20 May); […]
Where are the Irish?: September 10th, 2010

We are well known absentees when it comes to participating in International Creative/Innovation events, symposia, meetings and awards. Examples are easy to identify – there were no Irish representatives in Seoul for the World Design Capital Congress in February at which the intending bidders for the WDC designation in 2014 met those who would decide […]
Jammy deal for creative industry leader: September 10th, 2010

Good news for animators who are also job seekers … as Irish animation group Jam Media signs a contract with the BBC to produce three children’s television series. Founder John Rice says that the company that currently employs 15 people will hire an additional 40 staff. The deal “covers-off the next 2½ years for us […]
IxDA’s Big Deal in Dublin: September 7th, 2010

“Interaction design is a systematic and iterative process for designing highly interactive user interfaces. Methodology includes research and discovery techniques such as requirements analysis, stakeholder analysis, task analysis, as well as prototyping, inspection and evaluation methods” … or “The process of creating an interface for the user to engage with a site or application’s functionality […]
What’s missing at Terminal 2? Could it be ‘voluptuous panic’?: August 6th, 2010

T3 Slide Changi Airport, Singapore Having taken a tour of Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport recently I have to say it is very impressive – inside and out. The fit-out is ongoing in advance of its opening later this year. Congratulations and Respect to everyone involved. I have only one gripe … I saw no […]
Q. Dutch Design, what is it up to? A. Everything!: July 28th, 2010

Design as Politics The offspring of the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (Volkshuisvesting, Ruimtelijke Ordening en Milieu) of the Netherlands and the faculty of Architecture at the Delft University of Technology is the Chair of Design as Politics! The Chair of Design as Politics will be “exploring, researching and defining the boundaries, […]
The next six months in Seoul (calendar of 82 events): July 21st, 2010

July 2010 (14 events): International Young Designers Workshop Seoul Youth Creativity Summit & Festival (until August) “Children and Parents Joining Together” Design Workshop (until August) Project of Local Community Artist Development (until August) Hanstyle Expo 2010 Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival (July 21-25) Seoul Character & Licensing Fair 2010 Design Exhibition at Kumho Museum […]
“Why is Ireland falling behind in Design innovation?”: July 21st, 2010

A recent Irish Times article asked the question – “Why is Ireland falling behind in Design innovation?” The author left the question unanswered – but asked several more. In truth Ireland is not simply falling behind in design innovation, it is falling FURTHER behind and not just in innovation or design innovation but right across […]
Busy time for Creatives / Innovators / Designers: July 19th, 2010

This autumn is going to be a busy time with a number of significant events taking place in Dublin and nationally … 1. Association Typographique Internationale – AtypI ATypI (Association Typographique Internationale) is the premier worldwide organisation dedicated to type and typography. Founded in 1957, ATypI provides the structure for communication, information and action amongst […]
‘Unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries’: June 23rd, 2010

The European Commission Directorate-General Education and Culture has published a Green Paper entitled “Unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries”. This Green Paper raises important issues and asks important questions. The answers will have profound effects on Europe – ‘Unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries’ is a significant undertaking … and success […]
New ICAD Board elected …: June 22nd, 2010

The Institute of Creative Advertising & Design [ICAD] 2010/2011 board members elected at the recent AGM are: Pearse McCaughey, Cawley Nea | TBWA (ICAD President) Ciara Cantwell, Associate Fiona Kinsella, Jumper Productions Ian McFarlane, ICAN Keith Walsh, Chemistry Iain Slater, Slater (Northern Ireland Representative) Pearse McCaughey is no stranger to the ICAD Board having previously […]
OFFSET2010 Line Up announced: June 16th, 2010

A line-up of exceptional speakers has been announced for OFFSET2010. The event will take place over 3 Days in 2 ‘Synchronised rooms of Inspiration featuring the best creative talent in the world’… Speakers include: Adrian Shaughnessy and Tony Brook (Unit Editions) – Graphic Designers / Publishers www.uniteditions.com Aiden Grennelle (Image Now) – Graphic Designer www.imagenow.ie […]
ICAD AGM takes place June 17th: June 15th, 2010

The Institute of Creative Advertising & Design [ICAD] was established in 1958. It is one of Europe’s oldest Creative Industry organisations – the vastly more famous and hugely resourced UK equivalent D&AD is four years ICAD’s junior. ICAD’s mission is ‘to foster, promote and reward creative excellence in Irish Advertising & Design’ and it does […]
Lava voted ‘European Design Agency of the Year’: June 3rd, 2010

Congratulations to Paul Hughes and colleagues (Paul [NCAD Graduate] is partner and strategy director at Lava Graphic Design, Amsterdam). Lava was voted ‘European Design Agency of the Year’ at the fourth European Design Awards held in Rotterdam … http://www.lava.nl/english
South Korea appoints international design advisor: June 2nd, 2010

The Government of South Korea has appointed an internationally respected design leader to act as its advisor for the development of their new National Visual Identity. The client is the Presidential Council on Nation Branding which falls (unsurprisingly) under the direction of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. Michel de Boer is creative director of the […]
Social Science in Innovation and Technology: May 28th, 2010

The next ‘Innovation Interface’ – a series of talks about social science, design and innovation – takes place next Thursday, 3rd June at 6.30pm at The Science Gallery on Pearse Street, Dublin. Speaker at the event is Nina Wakeford, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading practitioners in the use of social science in […]
Vincent O’Byrne … Master of the Craft of Photography: May 27th, 2010

The Guild of Photographers (UK) has recognized one of Ireland’s outstanding photographers – Vincent O’Byrne. Vincent has been given the distinction of becoming one of the Guild’s first two Masters (along with UK based Tony Nutley). The title is in effect a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award, offered by invitation only for ‘outstanding contribution to the art […]
European Design Festival in Rotterdam: May 21st, 2010

Representatives from fourteen European communications design magazines form the jury at The European Design Awards during ED-Festival, which will take place 28 to 30 May 2010, in Rotterdam. The event, ED-Festival, takes place in a different European City every year and this year consists of Exhibitions, including “Ideas from Rotterdam” which takes place in City […]
Finnish Design Innovation on show at Tokyo Design Week: May 18th, 2010

Finland is rightly regarded as one of the leading design / innovation nations in the world. Design District Helsinki is a remarkable hive of creative and design activity and retail outlets. Established in 2010, the Aalto University is “a new university with centuries of experience”. The first high-level innovation forum between Russia and the European […]
Ghost Estates / Ghost Careers: May 17th, 2010

The Maynooth-based National Institute of Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) recently issued a county-by-county breakdown of housing estates where more than half of the properties are empty or remain ‘under development’ and provided details behind its recent claim that more than 300,000 new homes are empty including those in 621 ‘ghost estates’ – this figure […]
New Board, new research from Design Business Ireland [DBI]: May 11th, 2010

A new board was elected by the membership of Design Business Ireland on 8th May 2010. Marie McGrath, from Huguenot, Mark Sheils, from Form and James Nelson from Drawing Inc (members of the 2009 board) were re-elected. They are joined by John Moore, Clickworks and Garrett Stokes who has been elected to the position of […]
Where are the Irish?: May 6th, 2010

If we are going to be players in the ‘Innovation Game’ (the only game in town) or in the creative industries (the other ‘only game in town’) we need to position ourselves at the heart of the debate here, on the island and in the world at large. We need to talk among ourselves – […]
World Design Capital (WDC) – Was WDC; Is WDC; Will be WDC … and Wanna-be WDC: May 6th, 2010

Dublin is considering a bid for WDC designation in either 2014 or 2016. Anyone interested in World Design Capital events can find information by following these links: WAS WDC 2008: Torino IS WDC 2010: Seoul Design Olympiad and Seoul – World Design Capital 2010 WILL BE WDC 2012: Helsinki – World Design Capital WANNA BE […]
Creative Industry in Ireland: May 5th, 2010

[The following is an extract from the report “Dublin: World Design Capital – Is the Irish Creative, Design and Applied Arts Sector fit for purpose?”] Anyone taking an objective view of the design and creative industry in Ireland/Dublin will quickly see some fundamental issues that need to be addressed if Ireland is to compete internationally […]
Future Taipei bid for WDC gains momentum: May 5th, 2010

In a significant ‘shot in the arm’ for any future bid from Taipei to become World Design Capital, Taiwan has attracted the 2011 IDA Congress. IDA is the World Design Capital (WDC) Awarding Body and Taipei is widely expected to bid for WDC designation for either 2014 or 2016. 2011 IDA Congress Following a year-long […]
Art Directors Club of Europe: Call for Entries 2010: May 5th, 2010

The Best of European Design and Advertising Deadline: 4 June This will be the 19th Edition of the Art Directors Club of Europe Awards – held annually in Barcelona. The judging takes place over the 9th and 10th July and the Awards are presented at a celebration event on the evening of the 10th. For […]
Innovation – Where Does it Begin?: April 30th, 2010

There are attempts being made to turn Ireland into an Innovation Economy. Not everyone understands what an Innovation Economy is but that’s ok, we don’t all need to share the same understanding, all the time, about every issue. It is sometimes a little demoralizing though, when we hear people who should know what Innovation is, […]
Portrait of the City: April 30th, 2010

Framing the significance of historic urban landscapes Dublin Castle, December 9th, 10th and 11th 2010 Deadline call for abstracts: May 15th 2010 Information: www.portrait-of-the-city.com In December 2010 the School of Architecture, Landscape and Civil Engineering, University College Dublin and the Office of Public Works will host a multi-disciplinary international conference to explore the significance of […]
Dublin Service Design Thinks – 12th May – 7pm to 9pm…: April 30th, 2010

The first Service Design Thinks in Dublin is an opportunity for people interested in service design to come together, share work, discuss, debate and shape service design practice in Ireland. As an introduction to the space, the speakers will reflect on the role of service design in enterprise, social innovation and education. It’s free but […]
Irish Reports: April 29th, 2010

RESPONSEeuGREEN 18_june Dublin: World Design Capital – Is the Irish Creative, Design & Applied Arts Sector fit for purpose? CreativeD Info Sheet 2009 Skills in Creativity FORFAS November 2009 IADT report CREATING FUTURES 2008 Intertrade Design Report 2008 Enterprise Ireland – Innovation, November 2005 Opportunities in Design Report 1999 Enterprise Ireland
International Reports: April 29th, 2010

Eindhoven WDC Bid 2012 Helsinki WDC Bid 2012 World Design Capital Shortlist 2012 Press Release WDC 2010 Seoul City Summit – Pajunen Speech UK Design Council 2009 Prince Philip Designers Prize Big Picture – John Kao, Harvard 2009 2008 Case Study of a Design Innovation Network Model in Thailand KIDP National Design Competitiveness 2008 GRIPS […]
Fixing the Irish Creative, Design and Applied Arts Sector: April 29th, 2010

[The following is an extract from the report “Dublin: World Design Capital – Is the Irish Creative, Design and Applied Arts Sector fit for purpose?”] In order to identify and rectify the negative issues that have curtailed the development of a strong creative sector, some of which are outlined in this document, it is essential […]
Blog Profile: April 29th, 2010

My name is Garrett Stokes. I am a partner in Catalysto. This blog is mainly about the Creative, Design, Innovation, Applied Arts sectors in Ireland and Internationally. It will provide information relating to a number of topics that are important to the sector – the World Design Capital (WDC) (Pivot Dublin project) for example, the […]
Colleges offering third level design courses in Ireland:: April 29th, 2010

Athlone Institute of Technology Carlow Institute of Technology Cork Institute of Technology Crawford College Dublin Institute of Technology Dundalk Institute of Technology Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology Grafton Academy Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Griffith College Dublin Letterfrack Furniture College (GMIT) Letterkenny Institute of Technology Limerick Institute of Technology National College of Art […]
The Small Print: April 29th, 2010

The Small Print is an independent project with creativity at its core. The Small Print has grown into live events, art projects, publishing and much more besides. http://www.alwaysreadthesmallprint.com/welcome/
Refresh Dublin (Internet & Technology, Multimedia – New Media): April 29th, 2010

Refresh Dublin is a community of designers & developers working to refresh the creative, technical & professional culture of New Media in Dublin. Refresh Dublin is an event that promotes design, technology, usability and standards. The intent of Refresh Dublin is to provide a cross-discipline insight into all things design, interactive, creative and technical, so […]
PechaKucha Night: April 29th, 2010

PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. It now takes place in hundreds of cities around the world. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit chat”, it rests on a presentation format that […]
IAF – The Irish Architecture Foundation: April 29th, 2010

The Irish Architecture Foundation’s role is to be a vibrant and passionate organisation that excites its audiences about the value of architecture. It is a focal point for the many people and organisations who wish to champion the power of architecture and urban design. The Irish Architecture Foundation co-ordinates the promotion of Irish architecture internationally. […]
Digital Media Forum: April 29th, 2010

The aim of The Digital Media Forum is to unify the Digital Media industry by creating cross-platform content programmes with a focus on innovation and commercial enterprise and to continually build best practice through its initiatives in training and education, with particular emphasis on enterprises that can build and maintain scale and become global players […]
CreativeD: April 29th, 2010

CreativeD is a network-based business support programme which aims to define, develop and promote the creative industries in Dublin city and county. It intends to provide the opportunity to: Network, building links and collaborating with others in the creative industries Enhance your business’ ability to identify and respond to new opportunities Attract investment in Creative […]
Enterprise Ireland: April 29th, 2010

Enterprise Ireland is the state agency responsible for the development of Irish companies. It provides a range of supports to meet client business needs and works with clients to help them use innovation and design as an integral part of business development. http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/
InterTradeIreland: April 29th, 2010

InterTradeIreland is the only organisation which has been given responsibility by both Governments to boost North/South economic co-operation to the mutual benefit of Northern Ireland and Ireland. By encouraging better use of our collective resources we help to expedite trade and business growth across the island; create an environment to make it easier to do […]
Forfas: April 29th, 2010

Forfás is Ireland’s national policy advisory body for enterprise and science. It is an agency of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Skills in Creativity, Design and Innovation Report published in November 2009. http://www.forfas.ie/publication/search.jsp?ft=/publications/2009/Title,4896,en.php
Design Group, Invest Northern Ireland: April 29th, 2010

Design Group co-ordinates a range of initiatives and programmes to develop design knowledge, skills and capability and provides advice on how to harness design to deliver considerable commercial advantage. www.investni.com
The Centre for Design Innovation (CDI): April 29th, 2010

The Centre for Design Innovation (CDI) is an initiative of the Institute of Technology Sligo and is funded through the Applied Research Enhancement scheme of Enterprise Ireland. The CDI conducts research to establish the link between successful companies and their use of design; measure the efficacy of best practices to enable innovation through the use […]
CandyCollective: April 29th, 2010

Since starting in June 2005, the CandyCollective now consists of a core group of people all over the world who are intent on creating noise in their local area. CANDY magazine was launched to showcase Irish creativity alongside international equivalents to a worldwide audience. Since then many downloadable pdf format issues have been released and […]
Kilkenny Design: April 29th, 2010

In 1949 Professor Thomas Bodkin, in ‘Report on the Arts in Ireland’ (commissioned by the Irish Government) recommended Scandinavia as a model for the development and improvement of Industrial Design in Ireland. More than a decade later, in 1960, the Irish Government gave responsibility to the State body Corás Tráchtála (CTT), The Irish Export Board, […]
Design Ireland (#1): April 29th, 2010

A previous Design Ireland operated in the mid 1990s but closed within a few years of its inception. NO LONGER IN OPERATION
Design Ireland (#2): April 29th, 2010

Established in January 2000, the objective of Design Ireland was to inspire and encourage a positive understanding and utilisation of design by all strands of society, in particular business bodies and Governmental agencies, while internationally demonstrating the creative success and vitality of Irish Design. Design Ireland, an initiative of the combined representative bodies of the […]
Donegal Design Directorate (Skillnet): April 29th, 2010

The aim of the Donegal Design Directorate Skillnet Project is to promote the value of good design in business and to promote Donegal designers/design related businesses. It focused on design in all aspects from strategy and research, through functional and aesthetic design, production processes, branding, marketing, packaging, distribution, etc. NO LONGER IN OPERATION
Design Shannon (Skillnet): April 29th, 2010

Design Shannon offers Ireland a unique experiment in regional action for design and innovation, an experiment which strengthens the competitive basis of the Irish economy. It provides specialist and objective advice as well as bringing together the commercial and public sectors through its work. The aim of Design Shannon is to provide training that uses […]
The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design: April 28th, 2010

The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) was established by the National Disability Authority (NDA) in January 2007. Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size or disability. This includes […]
AAI – The Architectural Association of Ireland: April 28th, 2010

The Architectural Association of Ireland was founded in 1896 ‘to promote and afford facilities for the study of architecture and the allied sciences and arts, and to provide a medium of friendly communication between members and others interested in the progress of architecture’. AAI promotes a public lecture series and an annual awards scheme. In […]
DBI Design Business Ireland: April 28th, 2010

Design Business Ireland is committed to promoting the effectiveness and value of design to the Business Community, Government and the Design Community itself through advocacy, education and debate. It encourages fair and open competition while seeking to promote ethical practice and viable market conditions for its members and the design profession. It fosters a spirited […]
IA – The Interiors Association: April 28th, 2010

The Interiors Association is a multi-faceted support network open to the broad spectrum of professionals working within the Interior Architecture and Interior Design Community. IAs main objective is to enhance the profile and status of the Irish Interiors Industry on a nationwide basis by facilitating and supporting a body of professional accredited members. http://www.theinteriorsassociation.ie
ICAD – The Institute of Creative Advertising & Design: April 28th, 2010

ICAD’s mission is ‘to foster, promote and reward creative excellence in Irish Advertising & Design.’ The Institute of Creative Advertising & Design (ICAD) has been around since 1958 and in that time has seen the creative industry go through many changes, but one thing remains integral and that is its dedication to creative excellence. With […]
IDD – The Institute for Design and Disability: April 28th, 2010

IDD was established in 1991 following the European Conference on Design for Disability held in Dublin in 1989. The objective of the IDD is to promote the inclusion in society of people with disabilities through the exercise of good design. It has a membership of architects, designers, rehabilitation professionals and people with disabilities and is […]
IDI – The Institute of Designers in Ireland: April 28th, 2010

The Institute of Designers in Ireland is the professional body representing the interests of Irish designers. Its function is to promote high standards of design, to foster professionalism and to emphasise designers’ responsibility to society, to the client and to each other. The Institute represents designers from different disciplines who practice in Ireland. Formed in […]
RIAI – The Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland: April 28th, 2010

The RIAI is the Regulatory and support body for Architects in Ireland. Support services are also provided for architectural Technicians. Although the RIAI carries out a statutory function as the Registration Body and Competent Authority for Architects in Ireland this is carried out on an entirely self-funding basis. The RIAI does not receive any Government […]