DutchDFA at Dutch Design Week 2011

Opportunities for Dutch designers are increasingly found abroad, both in far-away emerging economies and in neighbouring countries. How to best make use of these opportunities? In a foreign country, even the most established agency has to start over. Nevertheless, an increasing number of Dutch designers is exploring these new territories. For this reason DutchDFA is developing made-to-measure local support systems, such as incubator-type office spaces and mediating business desks. 

On 28 October 2011, at Dutch Design Week, DutchDFA presented an update on the Workspaces and Design Desks in China, India, Germany and Turkey, while designers who are active in these countries shared their experiences.

In recent years, DutchDFA has developed various instruments to support Dutch designers in doing business abroad. The Dutch Design Workspace in Shanghai has become well known. A similar WorkSpace will open in Mumbai in fall 2011. In addition, a mediating Design Desk has been launched in Guangzhou, and there are plans for Design Desks in Germany and Turkey. DutchDFA presented these initiatives and activities during Dutch Design Week. Dutch design professionals who are active and successful in these countries shared their experiences in doing business abroad. Visitor were able to meet Design Desk and WorkSpace employees, Dutch professional designers working abroad, and DutchDFA country coordinators.

Date: Friday 28 October 2011, during Dutch Design Week Eindhoven 2011

Location: Auditorium Design Cooperation Brainport, Torenallee 22 -08, Strijp-S

Time: 10.00 am - 12.30 pm, doors open 09.30

Programme

from 9.30 am Arrival and reception 

10:00 - 10:10   

Welcome: Christine de Baan (director DutchDFA)
Opening: Rob van Gijzel (Mayor of Eindhoven)
Moderator: Gert Staal

10.10 - 10:40 

China: Workspace Shanghai, GPRD Design Desk

Vanessa de Groot: GPRD Design Desk
Deborah Meijburg: Five Spices

10.40 - 11.10 

Germany: Opportunities and challenges, design desk Germany
Lodewijk Reijs: Germany coordinator
Marc Maurer: Dutch Design Desk Europe, Maurer United

11.10 - 11.40 

Turkey: Opportunities and challenges

Yonca Özbilge: Turkey coordinator

Nurten Mericer: Solo Projeler consultation company

Marcel Vroom: MVAVD

11.40 - 12.10 

India: Workspace Mumbai
Jeanne Tan: India coordinator
Anuradha Gupta: Workspace Mumbai
ADDIKT: Design Movement

12:10 – 12.30  

Network opportunity and light lunch