'The message is clear - use design or risk failure. In an increasingly demanding global business environment, UK businesses cannot compete on cost so they need to differentiate themselves by using design.'
David Kester - CEO Design Council.
After launching in 2005, 100% East returns to the creative hothouse the Truman Brewery, from 21-24 September 2006. With an entirely new focus, the show will be noticeably more multidisciplinary casting its net more widely by including photography, product design, furniture, graphics, jewellery, ceramics and textiles from the best international emerging creative talent.
This year, 100% East will be split into two distinct sections: the main hall which is reserved for emerging designers and companies that have between 2-4 years experience and the Talent Zone which is supported by idFX and FX Magazine. Talent Zone will incubate one hundred and fifty of the best UK design graduates, all of whom have been selected by design industry talent scouts with a discerning eye. For the first time this year, the successful graduate show 'Undu Graduates' will be absorbed into the Talent Zone.
The main hall showcases the finest new international talent. The design work exhibited has been selected from the most well respected and leading design shows across Europe, such as Stylepark, Salone del Mobile in Milan and Design Mai in Germany. This methodology ensures 100% East is without doubt truly representative of global design talent. The work has been selected from countries such as Italy but there are also a few exceptional surprises from designers in Israel and Russia.
100% East is a design incubator, helping to nurture new creative talent. For this very reason exhibitors will only have three opportunities to show with 100% East, by this time it is hoped that the designers will make a transition over to Earls Court 2 to exhibit with 100% Design.
'Using 100% East as a vehicle, we can help teach new talent how to understand their market, deal with press enquiries, help them to structure their business correctly - we are only able to offer this 'service' because of the combined experience of 100% Design and 100% East. '
Jimmy MacDonald - 100% East Event Director.
100% East has grown considerably in scope since 2005. As a result there are a number of new initiatives taking place, either designed to educate creatives or to bring creative talent together and encourage cross-fertilisation of ideas.
One of the critical problems for emerging designers in the UK is they generally do not graduate with the tools and expertise necessary to be able to approach manufacturers and retailers with their work and ideas. Successful communication and initial connections with non-design specific industries are vital for any creative design talent. 100% East recognise this - especially as they constantly come into contact with businesses that work beyond the realms of the design industry but for which design talent is vital. Bridging this gap is one of the main aims of 100% East. This recognition has brought about a new initiative, the'Design into Production Program.'
Design Into Production Program (DIPP).
Mathmos Candlelight Competition.
The first competition for DIPP is with lighting design company Mathmos. Specialising in new lighting technologies and designs, Mathmos is seeking out fresh new approaches to lighting design. Designers are invited to come up with a creative design that re-defines candlelight. Finalists will be picked by a panel of judges, shortlisted entries will be showcased at 100% East. The top three finalists will receive prototyping support at Metropolitan Works' state of the art Digital Manufacturing Centre.
The winners will have their products put into production by Mathmos and will receive a royalty on all worldwide sales. The products will be marketed as part of the Mathmos range and sold alongside award winning products by designers such as Ross Lovegrove, Azumi and El Ultimo Grito.
Young Thai Designers Contest - Royal Thai Embassy, London.
Following the success of the Young Thai Designer Contest' 2005 held at the Royal Thai Embassy, London - the second consecutive 'Young Thai Designer Contest' is being organised in an effort to support and encourage the creativity and imagination of Thailand's new generation of designers, now studying at various art schools and institutes in Europe. The Art & Design disciplines within the scope of this year's contest includes ceramics, graphics, furniture design, jewellery design, lighting, photography, product design and textiles. The finalists will be exhibited at 100% East.
EPS Packaging Group Competition and Tom Dixon.
Designer, Tom Dixon collaborates with the UK's EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) Packaging Group and 100% East - designing a public installation exhibited during the 2006 London Design Festival.
This project, initiated by 100% East Event Director Jimmy MacDonald, will also launch an EPS design competition, to introduce 100% East's emerging designers and graduates to this infinitely versatile material.
The EPS Packaging Group are inviting talented designers from any design discipline to explore new uses for expanded polystyrene, outside the typical packaging-related industry; effectively adding value to this unjustifiably humble material through innovative design.
Tom Dixon's design installation will appear at 100% East as a scaled version of the public installation and is aimed to inspire and introduce the competition to 100% East's emerging design exhibitors and visitor audience. The short-listed entries and winners will be given the chance to manufacture their design and have free display at 100% East 2007.
SunCorp Coolspeak Design Competition
SunCorp Communication Ltd. is the world's largest manufacturer of cordless landline phones and they are launching a new brand called 'Coolspeak'. This new brand has youth in mind and the products are waiting to be launched. SunCorp are now looking for the next generation creatives to design the packaging, website, branding and graphic based concepts which will filter into every element of the Coolspeak products, including the re-design of the Coolspeak logo.
This fantastic opportunity is open and inclusive to all, not just graphic designers. Rather, SunCorp is interested in a fresh, experimental cross-disciplinary approach that is innovative. They do not expect to see completely resolved concepts - they want to see generic and genuinely exciting ideas.
A £500 prize will be awarded to the best initial concept. Should SunCorp wish to take any of the ideas forward from the competition, SunCorp will offer a freelance contract to the winning designer enabling them to complete the graphic campaign used to launch Coolspeak. This is an opportunity to work with a global brand at the forefront of future communications systems and technology.
Twenty short-listed designs will be presented at the SunCorp Coolspeak competition stand at 100% East offering applicants free exposure for their designs on an international platform to both trade visitors and international media.
Light 06
This year artists of light - Creatmosphere, will curate a specific lighting Installation, LIGHT 06 at 100% East. Creatmosphere explores the relationship between light, art, architecture and space and collaborates at international levels to develop new lighting projects. For LIGHT 06, lighting designers are being sought to apply to be part of this exciting initiative. Founder and director of the company, Laurent Louyer, and 100% East will be selecting 40 of the best designs to appear in the specially created exhibition space. A fantastic lighting installation is the aim, including an opportunity to promote new designs and inventions.
Pure Austrian Design Landing
This year 100% East will play host to cutting edge design made in Austria. The exhibition will include pieces selected from the successful Austrian shows in Prague and Barcelona in 2005. The organizers of the Austrian show not only expect to attract great numbers of the public but also have hopes of contributing new and surprising aspects to the heterogeneous and multidisciplinary spectrum 100% East will offer in this year's edition.
London Design Festival
In 2006 the London Design Festival will join 100% East at the Truman Brewery, with a festival information hub presenting the scope of London as a global creative centre.
Designers' Den
An exciting event is set to take place at 100% East this year. Designers' Den will play host to a talented set of panelists who have been invited to take part in this competition - The panelists have been sought from the retail, manufacturing, design and educational industries. Panelists and competition details will be announced shortly. |
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