Who needs a designer and for what purpose?

On June 26th, a discussion panel was held at Dobroteka regarding opportunities for designers in Dobrodzień.

The participants of the meeting included representatives from the University of Arts in Poznań, the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, the Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, local furniture manufacturers, representatives of education and local administration, media, and

designers: Renata Kalarus representing NOTI and her own design studio Metaforma with her colleague Jerzy Cyganiewicz, Anna Vonhausen, designer – Creative Director of SITAG (Red Dot 2012), Tomasz Borosz from the M Point Design Office – the office that designed Dobroteka.

The discussion panel focused on various possibilities for influencing the local design environment. During the lively discussions, ideas were put forward regarding lifelong learning (from the proverbial kindergarten to the University of the Third Age).

There was also discussion about the possibilities for students of art schools to gain practical knowledge in Dobrodzień from local manufacturers, as well as the opportunities for realizing student and diploma projects utilizing the numerous furniture craft workshops operating in the region.

Summer internships for students could take place in Dobrodzień, and workshops and competitions for furniture form development could be organized.
 
During the discussion, many ideas were proposed on how to promote local furniture manufacturers by leveraging the region's traditions, their knowledge and professional experience, and their recognized high quality of workmanship. One example given was showcasing the construction and production process of furniture to customers

in showrooms or directly in production plants. This way, one can authenticate where and how furniture is made, who makes it, and from what materials.


The discussion panel proved to be very lively, and organizing the ideas will require additional cooperation between various entities. The meeting gathered many interested parties, as the conviction of the necessity of such cooperation had been maturing among many of them for a long time.

Dobroteka initiated this meeting and will undertake the creation of a cooperation platform.


The discussion was moderated by Ms. Ewa Gołębiowska – Director of Cieszyn Castle.