AGIdeas presents a series of events for designers who are seeking inspiration, for designers emerging in the industry to explore the possibilities of international careers in design and for companies looking to embrace design as an economic driver.
Over three days conference goers witness designers from all catagories extending from Graphics Design, Interior/Exterior Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Sound Design, Web Designer, Film Making/Editing, Creative Writing, Art, Photography, Puppet Design, Stage Design, Light Installations, Vehicle Design, Furniture Design, Fashion Design, Advertising, Musicians and the list goes on. Speakers from all over the world come to tell their story. To inspire. To share ideas. And it's very special. It's such a brilliant initiative that has now successfully been running for 19 years and I'm proud to say I've been twice now.
On the first evening, after a long day with many illustrious speakers in Hammer Hall, Design Studios open up their doors and invite people in to talk design over dinner and drinks. I was lucky enough to be one of the few who got into Qube Konstrukt. And had such a brilliant night. The final night there is a party held for ticket holders and a chance to mingle with world class designers. They really do put on a good show!!!
Every speaker this year was inspiring, talented and real. All conveying the same message. Good design is about being able to communicate. And good communication and good design. It's about being yourself. Not being ashamed, or scared to step outside the square and go for it. Knowing what your style is. Listening to your instincts. And working really hard. Really hard. But for us, we're so lucky. Working in such a creative industry, it's stemming with excitement and fun. And we should always remember that, especially after a 65 hour week.
This year we had the great pleasure of meeting Luca Missoni. Just breathtaking to be engaged by such an icon of design. And he was adorable. He spoke about being 16 years old, beginning to make little things around the house ( which many can relate to) and how his obsession with knitwear and diverse machinery escalated to his own label. Now a multi millionaire, he still finds inspiration in his surroundings, his collections remain fresh, and he is happy with his style. He owns wool and his trademark patterns. And he hasn't stopped with just clothing. He has a range of home fittings and homewares. Again, there you have it. Somebody equipped with style. His own style. And he's just running with it. And I must say, he is such a lovely man. Oozes with Italian charm and appeal. A heart as soft as a feather.
Another galvanizing sensation was Étienne. Born in 1968, Étienne Mineur graduated from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs (ENSAD) in Paris. He was one of the founders of Index+ where he worked as Art Director, and later was art director for Desgrippes & Associés, Hyptique, and Nofrontiere in Vienna. In 2000 Étienne helped establish the innovative Paris based agency, Incandescence. Since 2000, Incandescence has developed the website and virtual catalogues for the Japanese fashion designer, Issey Miyake. The website was consequently selected to feature in the exhibition 'Somewhere Totally Else' at the Design Museum in London in 2003 and the interactive exhibition at the Pompidou Centre in Paris in 2004. An active member of Alliance Graphique Internationale, Étienne has also taught in various schools throughout Europe. His gracious yet fun approach to his work left me confident that I can really make it. That I should be happy with what I believe in. My style. And who knows where it can take me.
On that note. Go for it! What are you waiting for. And start researching agIdeas 2010. It's going to be very impressive!
