It is quite apt that Design week 2011 took place so shortly after the results came through about Dublin’s unsuccessful bid for World Design Capital 2014. There was no time to sit around licking wounds, events had to be organized, exhibitions curated and workshops manned.
For me, Design week 2011 kicked off at the Malthouse Design Centre where, amidst atmospheric lighting and hay bales, two exciting events were taking place. Shine an exhibition showcasing the work of over 30 designer/makers and Talk Shop, the first of a series of talks where Irish designer/makers share their experiences. Knut Klimmek, Sasha Sykes of farm21 and Klickity (myself and business partner) were invited to be the first speakers at what will hopefully become a regular event. The Talk Shop seminars are run by Shane Holland of Shane Holland Design and founder of Design Island. Shane possesses an unfaltering belief in design coupled with a very pro-active approach towards promoting Irish design on a world stage.
The evening of talks rounded up with what is one of many post result WDC 2014 discussions. Ali Grehan (Dublin City Architect) and Garrett Stokes (Catalysto) opened the discussion by asking the audience what they would like the future of Pivot Dublin to be. Not surprisingly the question was met with a touch of negativity no doubt born out of disappointment but it also brought to light some worthwhile home truths. What might we have done differently?
Having said that, the discussion was, in my opinion, a positive one and the full house clearly demonstrated that. Pivot Dublin has opened channels of communication that previously didn’t exist between the different design disciplines. It has created dialogue, excitement and energy among designers. Perhaps what we need to do now is work out how to extend these channels beyond the design community and connect with what our impassioned friend that evening refers to as the ‘human’ or end user of design. Pivot Dublin must continue to engage on all levels.
Dublin is now on the world design map because of our remarkable bid and for me this is the big achievement. Granted we may only be a minute dot on that map but thanks to Pivot Dublin we have a starting point. Isn’t this what designers of all disciplines have been working towards?
Regardless of our unsuccessful bid, Design Week proves that designers are going to keep on designing, events will be organized (albeit on a shoe string) and work exhibited. Essentially we are going to keep on doing what we have been doing for a long time. But what Pivot Dublin proves is that we can do it better and with more impact when we communicate with one another. Perhaps then the role of Pivot Dublin is to become the communicator of design across all disciplines, the link that keeps us talking. I think Pivot Dublin has potential to become the ‘go-to’ place for all that is happening in design in Dublin. AliGrehan, quite rightly reminded us that Pivot Dublin is nothing other then what the design community makes it, we are the content of that Bid. What Design Week proves is that the creativity on which the future Pivot Dublin depends is already in full flow. So perhaps Pivot Dublin’s new role is simply to keep us talking.
Kate Cronin, Klickity
