Design for Europe Conference, Brussels

Professor Lou from Tongji. No room for his Shanghai dot on the map provided! (Spot the orange dot on the right). We last met when he was a speaker with Ezio Manzini (as he will today) at the World Design Capital 2014 Cape Town conference on policy last October. Lou is closely involved in design policy developments currently building momentum in China.

Kick off of the Design for Europe Conference

Kick off of Design for Europe conference.

Leaving for Design for Europe Conference

Departing St Pancras for the Design for Europe conference taking place tomorrow in Brussels.

There is a great line up of speakers and the conference, organised by programme leader Design Council, represents an important step in further embedding design as a key factor for growth within the culture of the new Commission.

We already have design champions working hard within the Commission and this conference is an important platform to enable discussion that can lead to new actions - not only in Europe's industries, but also for the Commission itself as it moves towards the close of the initial funding programme for design under the European Design Innovation Initiative.

The deeper task is to disseminate design's unique role more widely across the Commission's Directorates. With the new VP structure in place - a more horizontal structure than was previously the case - the opportunity exists to achieve further strategic goals for design at the European level.

Luxembourg Design Awards Jury

On my way to Luxembourg to join this year's Luxembourg Design Awards jury.

Design Management for Creative and Commercial Growth

I have been invited by the DBA (Design Business Association) in London to give a breakfast talk on Thursday morning 11th December at Dragon Rouge. Looking forward to hearing key issues for the design industry as we work through the one-and-a-half-hour session.

Legacy - A Design Champion for South Africa's Government?

In this News24 interview with Jennifer Sanasie, I mention Director General of the Department of Arts and Culture, Mr Vuyo Jack's interest in the idea of a design champion in government.

What I don't mention is that during his closing speech at the 'Make a Plan' conference in Cape Town last week, DG Jack also spoke of the need for design thinking threaded through all of South Africa's strategies. Powerful stuff.

To listen to the interview please click here.

News24 South Africa is here.

WDC Cape Town 2014 hands over to WDC Taipei 2016

A remarkable cellist entertained guests on Saturday evening 18th October at the drinks reception held on the 8th floor of the Portview Building in Cape Town, prior to the Convocation Ceremony to hand over the baton to Icsid World Design Capital Taipei 2016 which was held on the 28th floor. In addition to the ceremony itself, we enjoyed spectacular views of the city as the sun set over the mountains.

In her handover speech, Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille paid a passionate tribute to all involved in the success for Cape Town of WDC 2014 and congratulated Taipei on its success as World Design Capital 2016. The Commissioner of Taipei City Government, Dr. Wei Gong Liou offered his thanks to Cape Town and promised an exciting and significant year for his city in 2016.