IxDA – Interaction12, International Conference, Dublin, Ireland

Interaction12 is a four-day event in Dublin from February 1st to 4th, 2012, where keynotes and speakers from around the world will represent all connections to Interaction Design. This is the fifth annual conference hosted by the Interaction Design Association (IxDA). Each year, IxDA aims to gather the interaction design community to connect, educate, and inspire each other.

IxDA
IxDA is a global network dedicated to the professional practice of Interaction Design. IxDA membership has grown to more than 20,000 members since 2004. The IxDA network provides an online forum for the discussion of interaction design issues and other opportunities and platforms for people who are passionate about interaction design to gather and advance the discipline. Of fundamental importance to the organisation is its International Conference which has, until now, always taken place in the US. This year Dublin is the venue.

What is Interaction Design?
Interaction Design (IxD) defines the structure and behaviour of interactive systems. Interaction Designers strive to create meaningful relationships between people and the products and services that they use, from computers to mobile devices to appliances and beyond.

Wednesday 1st February at Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT)
Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology (IADT) is this year’s conference host and early arrivals to Interaction12 will participate in hands-on workshops on the IADT Campus. Workshops will include “What You Missed When You Skipped Design School” with Dave Malouf & Matt Nish-Lapidus, “Design with Intent – Understanding users and influencing behaviour” with Dan Lockton and “The Quest for Emotional Engagement” with Stephen Anderson and many more.

Keynotes and Presentations, Thursday 2nd to Saturday 4th Feb
The conference continues with three days in The Convention Centre Dublin where the Keynotes and presentation talks take place including: “From Solid to Liquid to Air – Interaction Design and the Future of the Interface” by Amber Case and “Hack to the Future” by Fabian Hemmert.

Interaction Awards & Activities
This year’s conference also plays host to the inaugural presentation of IxDA’s Interaction Awards, the first awards program recognizing excellence across the diverse practice of interaction design. Taking place in the historic Round Room at the Lord Mayor of Dublin’s residence, check out the award winners, toast the finalists, and celebrate the accomplishments of IxDA (Friday 3rd February 2012, 7.30pm).

Big Event – Big Effort
Interaction12 is a very big event and it takes place in Dublin thanks to the efforts of Séamus Byrne, Ben Arent and IxDA Dublin. The international IxDA Board of Directors selected Dublin as the location for the Interaction 12 Conference – honouring Dublin with the designation of first European IxDA host city. The Dublin presentation team beat off rival bids from Berlin, Delft, Helsinki and Paris. Seamus Byrne comments: “Our local IxDA group is a vibrant and thriving community that has helped Interaction Design take centre-stage as an important and relevant discipline here in Dublin. It is clear our industry will play a vital role in Dublin’s current evolution from capital city of a knowledge economy to a global hub for research, design and development.”

Book your ticket
Time is running out, several events are fully booked out – register here … http://interaction12.ixda.org/register

The winners of the Design Business Ireland Irish Design Effectiveness Awards (IDEA) 2011 have been announced

The Design Business Ireland awards are unique in Ireland. The brief for the jury is to identify and reward the entry that was the most effective piece of design and delivered tangible, measurable economic benefits to the client – that’s why we call them the Irish Design Effectiveness Awards (IDEA)! The IDEA Awards reward designers who worked hard to produce solutions that worked hard for their client and unlike other design awards the design agency and the client both receive an award – as both are acknowledged as co-creators.

The IDEA Award Grand Prix 2011 was awarded to The Brand Union for their work on Glenilen Farm rebranding. Glenilen Farm is a family-run dairy farm in the heart of West Cork, Ireland, producing a range of delicious products using highest quality ingredients.

The Brand Union celebrate winning the IDEA Awards 2011 Grand Prix

Left to right: Rachel O’Connor (The Brand Union), Oisín Hurst (The Brand Union), Julie-ann Twomey (Glenilen Farm) and Steve Payne (The Brand Union).

Credits:
Client: Glenilen Farm
Brand Strategists / Designers: The Brand Union Dublin
Creative Director: Oisin Hurst
Account Manager: Rachel O’Connor
Production Manager: Cathal MacDonagh

The category winners are:

Category: Commercial Interiors
Winner: Millimeter Design for Trulife City West

Category: Consumer Literature
Winner: AMP Visual for The Man inside the jacket – Mr. Tayto Autobiography

Category: Corporate Literature
Winner: Huguenot for Cork Airport, A different kind of Hub

Category: Packaging
Winner: Creative Media for Really Good Premium Breads

Category: Product Design
Winner: Shane Holland for Ruray Desklamp

Category: Sales Promotion
Winner: Sweet Graphic & Web Studio for Freddy Fyffes at Gorilla Rainforests

Category: Web Design
Winner: Dara Creative for Insure My Van

Category: Branding & Identity – Consumer
Winner: The Brand Union for Glenilen Farm

The Jury deliberated…

The Design Business Ireland awards are unique in Ireland. The brief for the jury is to identify and reward the entry that was the most effective piece of design and delivered tangible, measurable economic benefits to the client – that’s why we called them the Irish Design Effectiveness Awards (IDEA)!

This year we had a highly effective jury, fair but critical, open but focussed, impartial but demanding … the jury members for IDEA Awards 2011 were:

Christopher O’Shaughnessy, who recently stepped down as Creative Director Design, JWT Canada in order to return to Dublin;
Grainne Millar, Temple Bar Cultural Trust, responsible for leading the development and implementation of a diverse and inclusive cultural programme for Dublin’s Cultural Quarter;
Niall Leavy, an experienced organisational psychologist, executive coach and senior manager in the public service, currently on secondment with the Central Bank;
Anthony Collins, Founder and CEO of Directski.com (one of Europe’s leading online ski holiday companies);
Eddie Shanahan, well known for his leadership role in the retail sector particularly with Arnotts, runs his own management consultancy covering branding, retailing, fashion & homewares. He lists leading Irish and international designers, retailers, media and blue chip companies among his clients and serves as Chairperson at the Council of Irish Fashion Designers [CIFD].

The board and members of Design Business Ireland are very grateful for the services the judges provided.

Universal Design Challenge 2011

The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) at the National Disability Authority (NDA) promotes Universal Design through education, guidance and awareness projects.

Flash Conference on Universal Design for Irish Education
The Flash Conference on Universal Design for Irish Education on November 4th, 2011 will briefly showcase 6 projects advancing Universal Design in education in Ireland. The research represents advances in embedding Universal Design into curriculum for design, engineering, architecture and Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

The projects to promote Universal Design in Irish education will show alignment with best practice in creativity, usability, accessibility and knowledge translation.

The projects represent CEUD’s national and international collaborations with:
• Blanchardstown Institute of Technology
• Dublin Institute of Technology
• Cambridge University, UK, Engineering Design Centre
• Irish Research Council for Science Engineering and Technology
• National Council for the Blind, Ireland
• National University Ireland, Maynooth
• Trinity College Dublin
• University at Buffalo, NY, USA

The conference runs from 1 to 3pm, after which there will be an opportunity to see the Universal Design Challenge teams present their new designs followed by the presentation of awards. Keynote on design by Brian Stephens, Director of Design Partners

Admission Free
Location: Tullamore Court Hotel, Tullamore, County Offaly.
Information: James Hubbard – Director of the Universal Design Challenge 2011, jehubbard@nda.ie

City of Cape Town appointed as World Design Capital 2014

“Taipei, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) – The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) announced today that the City of Cape Town (South Africa) has been designated the World Capital Design (WDC) 2014. Cape Town is the fourth city to hold this biennial appointment and marks the first for the African continent”.

Respect
Cape Town ran an exceptional campaign. They began their campaign very early, they devised a visual identity that was very strong (in black and yellow) and they consistently and in a single-minded way applied that identity everywhere … and it was displayed on thousands of websites (17,500+ when I last checked). Capetonians in general gave their unreserved and enthusiastic support for the bid – the theme of which was a very accessible and usable “Live Design. Transform Life”. The enduring image of the WDC 2014 Bid Campaign is Cape Town’s Table Mountain illuminated in yellow on the evening of the Icsid Jury visit. Congratulations and well done to all involved – great success in 2014.

Table Mountain was illuminated yellow on the occasion of the Icsid/WDC visit


There are two winners from this campaign – Cape Town and The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) who ran an exceptionally professional project and kept the World Design Capital brand on track. This brand is not just important to Icsid, and not just important to Cape Town and the previously designated Turin (2008), Seoul (2010) and Helsinki (2012) – it helps change the way city inhabitants and city administrators around the world view and understand their environment and how it can be improved.

From the Cape Town official bid website: “Cape Town’s feeling on top of the world after being named World Design Capital 2014. Want to catch the fever? Watch this video – screened at the International Design Alliance (IDA) Congress in Taipei during an electrifying announcement of the Mother City’s win.”

It’s the end of the World

Actually it’s only the end of the World Design Capital 2014 Bid Process.

Wednesday 26th at noon in Taipei (5am in Dublin) the announcement confirming which of the three short-listed cities will be designated WDC 2014 will be made.

Win, Lose or Draw the Thomas Reid (corner of Parliament Street and Dame Street) has been designated as the meeting place (Wednesday at 6.30pm) for those wishing to celebrate or commiserate.

It’s not an ‘official’ event just a get together to mark the occasion – and everyone is welcome so pass on the details.

World Design Capital (WDC) 2014 winner to be announced on the final day of International Design Alliance (IDA) Congress in Taipei

A little more than one week from now the activists behind two city bids will be distraught while those of the winning city on the shortlist – Cape Town, Dublin or Bilbao will be dancing in the streets. Who is it to be … Capetonians, Dubliners or Bilbaínos?

Those attending the official announcement of the winning city, taking place in Taipei on the final day of the International Design Alliance (IDA) Congress on Wednesday 26 October, 2011 include:
An eleven person group from Cape Town led by Patricia de Lille, Executive Mayor of Cape Town; Cllr Grant Pascoe; Fritz Marx – Mayor’s Protocol and Events Manager; Conrad Sidego – Mayor of Stellenbosch; Andrew Boraine, Bulelwa Ngewana and Alan Cameron representing – Cape Town Partnership; Luyanda Mpahlwa – Design Space Africa; Skye Grove – Cape Town Tourism; Michael Wolf – Formula D Interactive Design; Jo-Ann Johnston – Provincial Government of WC

Andoni Aldekoa – Delegate Councillor of Bilbao City Hall; Marcos Muro – Coordinator of the Candidacy Bilbao WDC 2014 and Juan Luis Diego – Director General of BEAZ- Innovation Agency of Biscay will represent Bilbao

Dublin’s representatives are led by Dublin Lord Mayor Andrew Montegue, accompanied by Ali Grehan DCA (bid director), Owen O’Doherty DDCA (bid co-ordination) Bob Gray (bid identity) and Barry Sheehan (DIT / IDI).

If you want to see what the competition was like for this hugely important designation check out:

Cape Town:
Bid Theme – LIVE DESIGN. TRANSFORM LIFE.
Web: www.capetown2014.co.za (extracts from the Cape Town World Design Capital 2014 Bid Book, designed and produced by Infestation, here http://www.capetown2014.co.za/gallery/ )

Bilbao:
Bid Theme – DESIGN OF CITIES
Web: http://www.bilbaointernational.com/en/bilbao-selected-as-finalist-to-become-the-world-design-capital-in-2014/ where you can check out their ‘Design of Cities’ clip

Dublin Bid:
Bid Theme – TURN DESIGN INSIDE OUT
Web: http://www.pivotdublin.com/

Helsinki Bid: – Helsinki is designated WDC 2012
Bid Theme – EMBEDDING DESIGN IN LIFE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0vu0-ogrIA

Seoul, the South Korean Capital (The Seoul of Design) was World Design Capital 2010 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAztWvlEmaY&feature=related

DBI launches a member’s endorsement identity

Design Business Ireland is the national professional organisation that promotes and strengthens the design sector in Ireland by bringing together Business, Education, Government and Design. DBI helps create conditions where professional excellence can flourish and where mutually beneficial partnerships are nurtured between the design community, its clients and stakeholders.

As part of its commitment to playing a pivotal role in the development of the Design Industry in Ireland Design Business Ireland has launched a Members Endorsement Identity.

DBI-Chartered_logo

DBI recommends that members use this visual device on stationery, websites, email and other collateral including Tender Response Documents. It is a marque that will add credibility and over time, as we increasingly communicate the benefits that clients can achieve by appointing DBI members, its use will deliver tangible benefits to members of DBI. Its widespread use will communicate our collective belief that good design is effective – it delivers a positive return on investment.

Against a backdrop where significant design projects are being commissioned from overseas design practices by both the state and private sector it is also becoming essential to communicate that Design Business Ireland members are as proficient, dependable and creative as their overseas counterparts and are committed to improving their professional standing. Members who are active on overseas markets will find that membership of recognised professional organisations is often expected and always respected.

Through the use of the endorsement identity DBI intends:
• To considerably increase the visibility of DBI through the use of the mark on member’s stationery, websites, emails and other collateral and on tender documents;
• To provide, by increasing the organisation’s visibility, a platform for Design Business Ireland to promote the aims of the organisation and its members;
• To identify to the client community (over time as recognition grows) that DBI members are skilled, dependable professionals who adhere to industry standards;
• To create recognition and encourage collaboration between member companies as a result of mutual respect between members;
• To encourage design companies that are not currently members to join and help create a stronger DBI capable of helping members face the challenges of the current economic climate;
• To clearly identify design companies who, through membership of their industry’s professional organisation, are focussed, involved, active and who aspire towards the highest professional standards.

The Members Endorsement Identity is in two forms: Chartered Member and Associate Member, to reflect the two membership categories in the organisation. Chartered membership is available to design practices who have been members of DBI for more than a year and Associate membership is available for design companies wishing to join DBI.

For details contact:
info@designbusinessireland.org
www.designbusinessireland.org

World Design Capital 2014 – ‘Building the Groundswell for Pivot Dublin’

Dublin is now shortlisted for designation as World Design Capital 2014. As the tension-filled days passed, and the bids were submitted, the organisers announced that over 50 cities had expressed interest – now our city is one of just three left in the race.

The prize is an important one. Becoming World Design Capital in 2014 would not simply change the design sector for ever … or the Creative Sector … it would change Dublin City forever and help make it more liveable, lively and interesting (as well as more manageable).

Winning designation as World Design Capital 2014 will change things for the better – for everyone … and everyone can help. Below are two images – it would be very helpful if you could put one of them on your organization or company webpage with a back-link to www.pivotdublin.com

And it would be even more beneficial if you could send them to each of your members / friends / followers with your request that they also support the Pivot Dublin effort by putting a Pivot Dublin image on their sites (with the same back-link) too. And please use them on your emails too!

This would be an effective component of ‘Building the Groundswell for Pivot Dublin’ at this important time. There is plenty left to do if we are to turn a short-listing into a triumph!

Dublin on WDC 2014 shortlist

The news that Dublin is one of the three cities short-listed for designation as World Design Capital 2014 is welcomed by the representative bodies of the Irish Creative Sector. Although certain of the irrefutable power of the Pivot Dublin bid there has been a period of nail-biting tension for members of the Irish Creative Community as the days ‘clicked’ closer to the announcement. Now it is official – Dublin joins Cape Town and Bilbao on the shortlist. One of these cities will be designated World Design Capital 2014 in October.

To be included on the shortlist is a milestone for Dublin City – and there is now a window of opportunity for Dublin to show the ‘WDC decision-makers’ that Dublin is the one! The selection committee will visit the three listed cities in the next few weeks – prior to reaching a final decision on which city will be designated World Design Capital 2014. It is all to play for.

The Irish Creative Industries can help lead our economy back towards growth, can put our people back to work and can tell an uplifting story of Ireland and of the creative skills and abilities of its people. Being shortlisted in this very important competition provides a significant step forward on that road. Well done to Ali Grehan, Owen O’Doherty, Bob Gray (Red & Grey Design), Emma Curley (Emma Curley Architecture, Urban Design, Facilitation), Tom Burke and Shane Hogan (Areaman Productions), Dr. Linda King (IADT) and Henrietta McKervey who deserve unreserved congratulations for taking the Dublin bid this far.

Garrett Stokes, Chairperson at Design Business Ireland [DBI]
Eddie Shanahan, Chairperson at Council of Irish Fashion Designers [CIFD]
Seamus Byrne, Interaction Design Association [IxDA]
Sarah Brown, President, Interiors Association [iA]
Elaine McDevitt, Operations Director, Institute of Creative Advertising & Design [ICAD]
Carol Coffey, President of Institute of designers [IDI]

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