To test this idea, and to promote discussion about the uses to which design thinking might be applied, NIDA created ‘The Design By Committee’- a series of workshops and model of design thinking aimed at demonstrating the wider value of design.

The first workshop brought together designers and creative thinkers to look at the everyday issue of ‘transport’ and the report being launched today describes ‘The Design By Committee’ process and makes a concrete case for the power of design thinking. Demonstrating the economic and social benefits of design, the report illustrates how designers have more to offer than mere window dressing.

This is an important step forward for the Northern Ireland Design Alliance and we are excited to have Michael Thomson speak at this launch event.  An expert on national design policy, Michael has worked with governments in the UK, Asia, Europe and the Middle East and led the lobbying process that brought design into Europe’s innovation strategy for the first time in 2010.  Other speakers include Stephen McGowan, Head of Creative Industries at the Department of Culture, Arts & Leisure and Christopher Murphy, Course Director, MA Multidisciplinary Design.

Event Write-up

Thanks to everyone who came along to support our launch of ‘The Design By Committee’ report .  We had Michael Thomson share his knowledge of what is happening with design policy across Europe and Stephen McGowan spoke on behalf of DCAL to give a local perspective, recognising the need for design thinking within Government and to encourage more creative collaborations.

We are looking forward to circulating the report more widely and using it to engage with industry and government.  If you would like a copy, please email joinin@nidesignalliance.com.

This event is supported by DCAL as part of Creativity Month.

Design Week

The Northern Ireland Design Alliance are delighted to be hosting a seminar with Michael Thomson as our guest speaker at this year’s Ulster Festival of Art & Design.  Qualified in 3D design in Northern Ireland and Germany, Michael set up Design Connect in London in 1995. Michael works internationally and has shaped and facilitated design-led, strategy thinking for clients including Arsenal FC, Channel 4 and Dyson in the UK, Tupperware in the US and Samsung C+T in South Korea. He has worked on strategy with design consultancies including CBS (Denmark), CityID, Cartlidge Levene, Futurebrand, MetaDesign and tangerine.

An expert on national design policy, Michael has worked with governments in the UK, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.  As President of the Bureau of European Design Associations, Michael led the lobbying process that brought design into Europe’s innovation strategy for the first time in 2010.

Michael sat on the Executive Board of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design, (Icsid), from 2001-2005 and on the International Advisory Committees for World Design Capitals Torino (2008) and Seoul (2010).

Michael will speak on using strategic design as a tool for strategic growth, demonstrating how design thinking goes far beyond superficial styling to add value to your business. He will also be a guest speaker at the Northern Ireland Design Alliance launch of ‘The Design By Committee’ immediately following this talk.

Buy your tickets here or via the Ulster Festival website.

If you are a designer, why not buy a ticket for one of your favourite clients, and bring them along with you? And even better….stay for ‘The Design By Committee’ launch (refreshments provided) and give them a copy of the report.

This event is supported by DCAL as part of Creativity Month.

The aim of the competition is to help students develop their professional design skills through industry mentoring.  Each student team was allocated a mentor and over the course of 3 weeks in January, worked with this company to respond to a challenging design brief.

Each team then presented their work to a judging panel of professional designers; Mark Case from Whitenoise, Pete Kerr from Atto Partners, Colin McKeown and Darragh Neely from Darragh Neely Design Works.

And the winner of the 2012 NIDA Student Competition is…

Tanya Clarke, Laura Maginnis and Mark McGrann. Congratulations to them and their mentors AV Browne!

Thanks to everyone who took part this year; to all the students who participated and produced some great design work, to our mentors, judges and McGowans who kindly sponsored the competition this year.

At last Monday night’s NI Design Alliance event, The Design Question, we explored three broad themes. The first one was, “How the hell do I break into the design business?” and that’s the one I’m going to respond to here. I think it’s probably fair to say that although we were in that room for three hours, it was still not enough time to explore thoroughly all the themes; I imagine I’m not alone in coming away with further thoughts on the subjects.

I’d also like to point out that what follows is unashamedly written from a graphic designers perspective. What can I say? That’s what I am. If you fall into another creative area (product, architecture, photography, fashion, other) and see things differently, please accept my apology now. But also, tell us what you think. Have your say.

I think that for a very long time, perhaps for as long as the profession has existed, we have celebrated the stars. The celebrity designers who have either intentionally or, to be fair, by accident made a name for themselves through the creative press, for practicing their own unique, idiosyncratic form of graphic design. I guess it’s only natural to do this.

So it’s not surprising that when the question, “How do I break into the design business?” is posed, one of the strongest responses is to suggest that the individual should find and develop a personal style or approach. Not a superficial mask, let’s be balanced and accurate about this; the suggestion is that a young, fledgling designer explores their own talents and interests and crafts them into something distinct and original that they can “take to market” (to use an uncomfortable, in this context, phrase).

I think it’s a reasonable argument. Especially if that is already the aspiration of many who enter our field. But I also think that for many more, it could be an unhelpful one. Do we really need a world full of individualistic design practitioners? Is that really what our economy needs? I wonder. And I wonder if, faced with that proposition, many would-be designers could feel discouraged.

Do you know the classic Bell Curve diagram often used to illustrate “normal distribution“? Where the majority reside in the large central area and the periphery is populated my the ones (the things, the people) that stand out.

Isn’t our industry just like that? Where the vast majority of graphic design is carried out by “normal” designers for “normal” clients. So, in the context of our question, isn’t the middle ground where most of the work is, where most jobs are, where the majority of the opportunities are?

Even I can’t help repel a little from this idea. Who wants to be in the middle? Be average? But I’d suggest that to think like that is to think too simplistically.

Case in point: Me.

I’m definitely in that central zone. I certainly haven’t made a name for myself by creating ground-breaking work. Any notoriety I have gained is certainly not though my daily practice of graphic design. But I do think I’m a pretty good designer. My work is informed by 20+ years of diligent learning. I’ve conscientiously fine-tuned my craft. My work is, often, annoyingly well rationalised; strategically on the button; well executed and, essentially, effective.

Subsequently, I fair pretty well in client presentations. Can I talk about my work? Ask someone that knows me professionally. I can. And then some. My work is well supported by research, I’m a good listener, I have reasonable empathy for the client and their audience, I seem to have an ability to identify what it is about a client’s product or service that will push the right buttons. I can express those characteristics in effective ways.

But none of this is because I’m a super-talented, unique creative. I’m not being modest when I say that. I really am NOT that talented. And because I’m not that talented, I have to work damned hard. I read loads on theory and best practise. Have worked at my craft. Have learned from the best (by studying their work). I’ve tried, experimented, failed, failed again. Most importantly, I feel, I haven’t stopped. At no point in my career have I sat back and thought, that’s it, I now know enough. That’s because: a) I know I don’t, because b) I’m not that talented. I’m normal. I’m in the middle ground.

And I imagine, so are the vast majority of designers. We’re not the ones that are going to make a big name for ourselves. We’re not going to be in Creative Review every month or win D&AD pencils every year. We’re not going to be celebrated.

Does that make us lesser designers?

Does that mean we’re not good, great, exceptional? No it doesn’t.

And so I think, going right back to beginning, that this notion of notoriety, of idiosyncratic talent being king is only one answer and isn’t the answer for most of us. Most of us will have no unique, personal style but will deploy many, appropriate styles to craft strategically focused, beautifully constructed, effective executions for normal clients who are desperately trying to keep their business afloat.

I think the middle ground needs to be celebrated more. It’s the middle ground that is supporting our economy, that is helping small to medium sized (hell, even large) businesses to stand out in their crowded market places.

I should say, don’t misunderstand what I’m saying here about those ultra-talented creatives who inspire us all. They’re essential to the vibrancy of our world. It’s just that they’re only part of the story. The middle ground is the other part and it’s where most of us are.

(I’d like to thank Rick Monro at Tibus for his help in writing this. You can and should read his blog Designing the Middle.)

A half day clinic for creative businesses and designers featuring a practical workshop introducing the tendering process and an informative and inspiring talk with Mark Case director of Whitenoise studios on how to get started and make the most of Tender opportunities.

Speakers & Schedule

Liam McGarry

Co-founder of WEE MAN STUDIOS NI’s leading 3D iPhone Game Developers and Director of MCGARRY CONSULT providing professional support to small-medium sized organisations in the private and non-profit sectors. Experience of 200 projects in NI & RoI. Including 100 business cases/plans, leading to over £120m funding.

Mark Case Whitenoise Studios

Mark is Co-Director of Whitenoise and since July 2000 has built the company into the largest graphic design studio in Northern Ireland. He has moulded the company’s design offering, ensuring quality, accurate and individual creative solutions are achieved for every client.

To register email: info@blickstudios.org

or for more information visit the Evolve Programme website

Themes of Innovation/Creativity/Entrepreneurship/Design will be explored in a series of short talks and workshops as tools that facilitate collaboration and Making Work Together.

This is event is currently postponed until further notice.  For more information contact:

T: 028 9036 8019

E: knowledgeclub@ulster.ac.uk

As part of Design Week, we are hosting ‘The Design Question’, an interactive evening with a panel (Peter Strain, Stephen McGowan and Stephen McGilloway) posing questions to get designers thinking, scribbling and talking.  The evening will be loosely based on the ‘World Cafe’ model to get your thoughts, ideas and feedback on 3 questions:

1. “How the hell do I get a job in the design business?” -  Peter Strain, recent graduate.

2. “‘Design Effectiveness’: Fluff or Fundamental?” – Stephen McGowan, Head of Creative Industries in the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.

3. “How can design affect our risk-averse, conservative culture in NI?” -  Stephen McGilloway, Product Design Manager at the Northern Ireland Technology Centre.

Please come along, have a drink with us, add to the debate and help shape the work of the NI Design Alliance.

To reserve a place email: sara.graham@ccskills.org.uk

Doors open at 5.30pm and the panel will kick off our discussion at 6pm,  finishing at 9pm.

Light refreshments will be served on arrival and a bar will be available.

Event Write-up

This was an evening which delivered what it promised – energetic discussion, insights for developing the industry and an opportunity to engage with other designers.

Lots of ideas were put forward on the night, here is a snapshot of some of the most interesting:

Career: It was suggested that the NI Design Alliance should work with the design industry to develop some guidelines for employers taking on student placements.  Could there be, for example,  more flexibility with placements (perhaps not a full year), or a sliding scale of payment (0-3months, 3-6 months, etc) as the student develops their skills?

Fluff or fundamental: Need to recognise (and articulate) that design is a process which involves the skills of many people, not just graphic designers.  For example, skills in strategy, writing, business, psychology and project management.  It is about problem solving  – companies bring in management consultants to solve problems, why not designers?

Risk averse culture: How are we cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit in NI?  Education is key –  we need to broaden a young person’s understanding of design and demonstrate how design thinking can encourage an entrepreneurial mindset.  What about running a school project where we give every child £5 and challenge them to make more with their own business idea!

Here are just a few comments from those who attended:

“Very enjoyable, got to network and it was good to discuss issues within the design industry”

“I think the question-discussion format is brilliant, would like to see it again”

“Very stimulating”

“Made me aware of current issues in the industry which I wouldn’t have been as a recent graduate”

“Interesting mix of backgrounds at my table – got a good insight into the various positions within the industry, e.g. student/education/employers/designer”

Colin Williams, founder of television production company Sixteen South, looks at how a small creative company from Belfast can compete in the global television market.  He will be sharing some of his insights into how a side project developed into an award-winning children’s television production company working with the likes of Sesame Workshop and Cbeebies.

Refreshments will be provided.

Registration

To register for this event, please contact Brendan McGoran at Belfast City Council with the following:

Attendee Name
Business Name
Business Address (including Postcode)

Email: mcgoranb@belfastcity.gov.uk

The Evolve Programme is aimed at small and start up creative businesses.  It is free to access and has been designed to offer relevant high quality support specifically for leaders of small creative businesses to enable them to meet their growth potential.

Workshop overview

This short and informal workshop will cover some of the most important legal issues which are crucial in starting up and maintaining a creative business, there are many issues beyond having a good idea which are vital to having a successful business and this workshop will try and cover the most important, it will be led by Specialist business solicitor Angela Brady. The workshop will be followed by opportunities to have a one-on-one personal meeting with Angela where she will be able to advise you on individual issues which may be affecting your businesses.

Workshop objectives

• To present good practice guidance on developing contractual arrangements and key terms
• To demonstrate the processes and records that can be followed to ensure that you are paid on time and are able to easily pursue outstanding debts
• To demonstrate how to bring an application in the Small Claims Court

Key issues to be covered

• Providing advice on terms of business and standard clauses
• Advice on creating a ‘paper trail’ in dealings with debtors
• Provision of a standard pre proceedings letter that can be used by attendees
• Overview of Small Claims Court procedure to include provision of standard endorsement for use on application form
• Advice on how to present a case in the Small Claims Court

Register for this session and others

Winning both hearts and minds is important in business.  Designers Mike Fleming and Tim Farrell share their thoughts on this based on recent client work with The Alliance Party and AU Magazine.

Mike Fleming, Fleming Steele: Rebrand of the Alliance Party and their election campaign.

Mike Fleming is one of Northern Ireland’s most experienced communication professionals. With over 20 years’  in the advertising and branding industries he has worked on a diverse range of clients for a variety of agencies both locally, in mainland Great Britain and in the Republic of Ireland.

Mike’s work spans the communication spectrum, from TV commercials to internal employee engagement; from online viral films to brand guideline documents.

Mike started his career in advertising as a copywriter in mainland UK and after 8 years at some  of the largest network agencies returned to his native Northern Ireland to become the Creative Director at AV Browne in Belfast and Dublin.

Since 2007, Mike has been working as a freelance advertising and branding writer in London, Belfast and Dublin. In November 2010 he established his own hybrid branding, digital and ad agency, Fleming Steele, with offices in Belfast and London.

Mike’s current and recent advertising and branding experience includes: The Alliance Party, The 2010 Ryder Cup, Scuderia Ferrari F1 Team, Wales Tourist Board, Vodafone, Unilever, Aviva Rugby Premiership, Sony Viao, Sky,Queen’s University Belfast, O2.

Timothy Farrell, Designer: Redesign of AU Magazine.

Tim Farrell graduated in 2008 with a BA (Hons) in Visual Communication from University of Ulster. Having worked for 3 years with Triplicate Design, Tim has now established his own business, working with such clients as AU Magazine, Open House Festival and Smalltown America Records.

Register

To register for this event, please contact Brendan McGoran no later than 4.00pm 19th August 2011 with the following:

Attendee Name
Business Name
Business Address (including Postcode)

Brendan McGoran
Email: mcgoranb@belfastcity.gov.uk