Cat Drew’s Post

»What do young designers want? What do young designers need?« Come and meet our international group of young design professionals of the next generation of designers in Europe. Tuesday, 5 November 2024, 15:30-18:00 CEST designforum Wien. In English language. Free admission. Agenda 15:00 Meet & Greet with Snacks & Drinks 15:30 Introduction 16:00 PART 1: “Who are we, what are the problems”  Working in small groups, Mapping & Discussing problems 16:30 Coffee break 16:45 PART 2: “What do we want, what do we need, finding solutions”  Clustering/Presentation, Discussing solutions, Feedback 18:00 End #sustainability  #internationalcommunity #visibility #youngdesigners #nextgendesign We are looking forward to meeting you. Lisa Stolz Kerstin Pfleger Therese Balslev Ēvija Kraukle This event is part of the three-year project Next Gen Design in the prestigious program Creative Europe by the European Commission to connect and enable young designers in Europe to create, adopt and disseminate a sustainable approach to the design profession that contributes to the European Green Deal. Five European design platforms and annual festivals are collaborating: Skopje DesignWeek, from Belgrade Mikser Festival, designaustria based in Vienna, What Design Can Do in Amsterdam, and Barcelona centre de Disseny Barcelona Design Center. Recognising the potential of youth-driven innovation, Next Gen Design responds to the urgent need for fresh perspectives in designing a sustainable future. By empowering especially young designers and amplifying their voices, the project aims to bridge the gap between vision and action, towards more equitable future. https://lnkd.in/dw4YwJ8z

Uncover the real cost of sustainability and why it’s not what you think. Erica Anesi, Ind IIDA, CEO of women-owned hardware company pba, reveals some unexpected insights about sustainable design that might just change your perspective. Curious? Here’s a sneak peek: ⭐️ How focusing on the three dimensions of sustainability is revolutionizing the way PBA is producing award-winning sustainable hardware. ⭐️ How to measure the long-term value of sustainability? ⭐️ What importance does elegance have in sustainable design? ⭐️ How does inclusivity play a crucial role in sustainable design? ⭐️ Which groundbreaking project is turning industrial sites into green urban spaces, promoting both sustainability and community well-being? Listen to the full episode on Spotify 🌱🎙 #sustainabledesign #inclusivity #hardware #sustainablearchitecture #accessibility #inclusivedesign

This year at Milan Design Week, amidst the spectacle of innovation and creativity, I found myself echoing the sentiments expressed by Max Fraser in his recent Dezeen article. Each year, as the design fair grows in popularity, I find myself questioning its presence and purpose more deeply, especially regarding how it addresses critical social and environmental global challenges. (Traveling by airplane to attend, I can't help but reflect on the irony!). Max’s insightful critique sheds light on a crucial issue: the fair's struggle to balance its growing popularity with its foundational mission of driving genuine innovation in design. I was surprised and somewhat disheartened by the limited discussion on regenerative solutions, interspecies design, and circular design principles this year. Moreover, the prevalence of greenwashing solutions underlines a significant gap between intention and practice in our field. As professionals dedicated to the future of design, we must advocate for a platform that not only showcases innovation but also champions the principles of sustainability that are critical to our profession and planet.

🥁 GHOST PROJECT COMPETITION 2024: “MICROCOSM” 🔬Ghost Project theme for 2024 – “Microcosm” invites young product designers to explore the often-overlooked realms of small-scale interventions and incremental innovations that have the potential to transform our microcosms into a more sustainable and socially thriving environment for all. 🔍From the overlooked corners of urban landscapes to the intricacies of objects we use in our daily lives, there is a wealth of untapped potential waiting to be unleashed through clever and witty micro-improvements that may appear modest in scale but with the potential to make a substantial impact on sustainability, social equity, health and wellbeing, urban resilience, and much more. 📐As part of the Mikser Festival 2024 edition which explores the power of “Micro-tactics”, the Ghost Project theme “Microcosm” echoes the butterfly effect, where a small gesture can set in motion a chain of events leading to significant change. By focusing on micro-tactics, whether it’s in city elements, design of products and services, or community engagement, designers have the potential to create a ripple effect with far-reaching implications, one well-considered design choice at a time. 💡APPLY HERE: mikser.rs/ghostproject2024

Let’s explore how design can enhance health and wellbeing together, with the talented designers and researchers from 4TU!

🌱💡 What If Tech Could Truly Connect You to Nature? Last weekend, while exploring the lively streets of Gastown, Vancouver, with my wife, I stumbled upon something extraordinary: an interactive tree glowing with vibrant, colorful lights. At first, I thought it was a simple art installation, but it turned out to be a breathtaking fusion of technology, design, and nature. 🌳 As people hugged the tree, the lights responded in mesmerizing patterns—shifting, glowing, and creating an almost magical connection. Naturally, I had to try it myself! The moment I hugged the tree, multicolored lights radiated back, creating a surreal, emotional experience that felt like connecting with nature on a whole new level. 🌈✨ 💡 As a product designer, this was a profound reminder: Technology isn’t just about innovation—it’s a tool to create meaningful, emotional connections. This experience showcased how design can bridge the gap between humanity and nature, sparking joy and wonder in the process. 🙏 A heartfelt thank you to the amazing creators at Lumière Festival Vancouver Society for blending art, tech, and nature into such a magical experience. Shelley Hayashi Kristyna Balaban and Adam Siroky your work is a testament to how powerful creative technology can be! 📣 What about you? Have you encountered a tech experience that left you in awe? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments! #VancouverTech #VancouverDesign #TechAndNature #ProductDesign #InteractiveDesign #DesignInnovation #TechForGood #CreativeTechnology #LumiereFestival

Helsinki Design Week and Habitare join forces as creators of the future – aiming to offer one strong platform for design industry. Helsinki Design Week and Habitare are joining forces and starting an extensive and long-term collaboration. The aim is to strengthen the design industry and to promote a dialogue between designers and companies in order to accelerate the growth and internationalisation of the industry. Helsinki Design Week will be held from 6 to 15 September 2024 and Habitare will be held from 11 to 15 September 2024. The starting point for the collaboration beginning this year is to strengthen and support the design industry and its actors, by providing one commercially strong platform for encounters and interaction between professionals and companies in the industry.

🎉 Introducing the Times Gate 🎉 Step into a world where innovation meets artistry! The Times Gate isn’t just a display; it’s a portal to creativity, technology, and elegance. Whether it’s for your home, office, or personal sanctuary, the Times Gate transforms any space into a spectacle of light and imagination. 🔹 Stunning Visuals: Captivate your audience with dynamic, vibrant displays. 🔹 Customizable Content: From animations to personal messages, make it yours. 🔹 Versatile Design: A sleek, modern aesthetic that complements any environment. This is more than a product; it’s an experience. Watch the video to see it in action, and imagine the possibilities! 👉 Let us know how you’d use the Times Gate in the comments. Your ideas inspire us! #TimesGate #Innovation #DesignTech #TechArt #YourImagination

Inspiration vs inspo. Fuorisalone, once a design industry-centric event continues to evolve (with mixed feelings). Milano lines grow longer every year, and the bar to dazzle is no easy feat to propel. It’s made me think a lot about the fine line we dance with how we design experiences & communication - and what we aim to achieve. Inspiration - sticks, it moves your mind, lasts longer. Inspo - highly visually appealing, eye candy high sugar content - but can feel fleeting. There was more inspo than inspiration at Milano design week. One inspiring one that moved me was the ever-curious Adam Stech, at the Drop City space showcased 3,000 images of “Elements” photographed around the World - doors that dazzled, railings that protected - windows that welcomed. Curated together - human creativity across decades. It was a symposium of design - it stuck. Inspiration achieved.

What role does the designer play in shaping the future? That's the question that our fourth-year Bachelor in Design students explored during their visit to Dutch Design Week 2023 in Eindhoven, a city in the Netherlands. Explore the transformative journey of the students who attended and how this immersive experience went beyond creative exhibits to provide a unique vision of the future. Don't miss out on this extraordinary exploration of creativity, innovation, and design. Read more in the #DrivingInnovation article below! Special thanks to Carlos Loaiza for this amazing article