Month: December 2024
NEXT GEN KIDS/TEENS: Design for a Better World
How to improve the space for free time using circular design
Principles of Circular Design
Crafting the Future: The Evolution of Bosnian ZANAT
From family woodcarving craft to a sustainable icon of contemporary design
Walking the Talk: Making Circular Design a Reality
The success story of Nico Less chair by Donar
Opening Ceremony: Designs at the Forefront of Circular Transition
Micro-designers and Ecosocial Collab
Design innovations in collaboration with algae, plants and local communities
UNDERGROUNG BDW
Disseny en Diagonal Day
EXHIBITION What if…water
12 projects on the critical challenge of water management and conservation
NEXT GEN DESIGN WORKSHOP / Circular Economy
HOLON design
Design a flag for a Human future: The International Flag of Planet Earth
Design as an enabler of hope: the curious case of ecosystem restoration
Mastering the Business of Design: Zoran Jedrejcic on Building a Brand in the Creative Industry
Skopje Design Week 2024 offered not only a platform for creative exploration but also a space for professional development, as demonstrated by Zoran Jedrejčić’s compelling masterclass, “How to Create a Design-Oriented Brand.“ A globally recognized industrial designer, Jedrejčić shared invaluable insights on navigating the intersection of creativity and commerce.
The session opened with a discussion on the significance of branding in today’s saturated market. Jedrejčić emphasized that a strong brand identity is as much about storytelling as it is about aesthetics. He encouraged designers to build authentic narratives that connect emotionally with their audience, setting the foundation for long-term success.
From there, the focus shifted to the practicalities of working with manufacturers—a topic often overlooked in design education. Jedrejčić outlined the stages of production, from prototyping to market launch, providing attendees with a clear understanding of how to align their creative vision with industrial capabilities.
One of the most valuable segments of the lecture revolved around financial strategies, particularly the often-misunderstood realm of royalties and compensation. Jedrejčić demystified the process, offering tips on negotiation and pricing that are crucial for ensuring fair returns on creative labor.
“This was a game-changer for me as an emerging designer,” one attendee remarked. “I now have a roadmap for how to take my ideas from sketches to products on store shelves.”
Jedrejčić’s session was more than a lecture; it was a call to action for designers to take charge of their careers and embrace their role as both creatives and entrepreneurs. His approach resonated deeply with the Next Gen Design program’s overarching goal of fostering a generation of designers who are not only innovative but also business-savvy and globally competitive.
WASTEWARE
Every Year 90 million tons of food are thrown away in Europe. And, in the same period, disposable crockery accounts for a further 26 million tons of garbage. So why not connect these two topics and see what could be created in this scenario?
Wasteware, Experimental Tableware, by Austrian designer Barbara Gollackner consists of various pieces of tableware, all made from food waste, produced in different techniques, ranging from moulding over pressing up to 3D printing.
Learn more about Barbara Gollackner design.
DON’T FEED ME PLASTIC
Don’t Feed Me Plastic represents the series of educational toys aiming to develop an emotional connection between the children and their environment.
Made out of reused fabric its infill contains an element of surprise. Inside each kiwi bird are several plastic caps which serve as a conversation starter. Through a tactile game and this element of surprise, we can teach the child about the negative influence we have on our environment and try, through playing, to suggest what are possible solutions.
Learn more about Maja Repotocnik
Squeeze the orange
Orange peels are a food waste residue abundant in the Mediterranean diet, and we can give them another life: many things are possible with what we consider “waste” today.
Squeeze the Orange is a research project on the reuse of orange peel to make biodegradable and compostable materials for the fashion industry.
Through the work and knowledge shared between makers and designers, they investigated orange waste to design a material that all fashion designers can use. The project was developed in collaboration with restaurants in the Poblenou neighbourhood in Barcelona. Its purpose is to manufacture a completely biodegradable or compostable waterproof bioplastic using dehydrated orange peel to produce clothing and accessories for the fashion industry.
Ressaca
Ressaca is an immersive installation that takes the viewer into a dystopian world where humanity’s only remaining natural resources are its own waste and dross. Broken and sharp glass is the main construction element of what we intuit to be an eccentric room that sparkles with danger. Vila pushes to the limit a set of semi-utilitarian furniture that threatens and provokes, invites and prohibits in equal parts, an exercise in speculative design that reflects on the future of society.
Founder and Head Designer of Aparentment, Josep Vila Capdevila (1976) is a multidisciplinary designer that has been linked to fashion, advertising, photo-journalism and even music. In 2012, he launched his first collection of objects, Marblelous, which had an impact nationally and internationally. Since then, he has followed a design path towards experimentation and innovation working with noble, robust and lasting materials.
matapalo
matapalo, by Unlable Design Studio, is a brand from Algiers that markets biophilic pots and installations made of flexible and innovative composite fabrics that stand out for their design, lightness, durability and recyclability.
The product was presented during Underground BDW, a new collective and immersive exhibition during the Barcelona Design Week 2024.
Empowering Designers: Severin Filek’s Workshop at Skopje Design Week 2024
At Skopje Design Week 2024, Severin Filek, the managing director of Design Austria since 1992, led a pivotal workshop titled “How Do You Calculate Your Individual Hourly Rate? “ Known for his advocacy for the professionalization of the design industry, Filek shared his vast expertise on crucial business practices for creatives.
The workshop explored topics essential to designers, including determining individual hourly rates, understanding pricing strategies, and navigating copyright issues. Participants engaged in practical exercises to develop the skills needed to fairly and competitively price their services, while also learning about the legal frameworks that protect their creative work.
“This workshop gave me the confidence to charge what my work is truly worth”, remarked one emerging designer, emphasizing the practical and empowering nature of Filek’s approach to financial and legal aspects of the creative industry. Another attendee described the hands-on exercises as transformative, explaining that they finally understood how to calculate rates based on actual costs and value.
The session highlighted the importance of valuing one’s work and recognizing intellectual property as a key asset in the creative industry. By offering actionable insights and clear methodologies, Filek equipped attendees with tools they could immediately apply to their professional practices.
A Commitment to Empowerment
Severin Filek’s contribution underscored Skopje Design Week 2024’s dedication to supporting designers in building sustainable and successful careers. By addressing the often-overlooked business aspects of the creative industry, the event empowered participants to navigate its financial and legal challenges with greater confidence.
This session, like others during the event, exemplified the synergy between creativity and entrepreneurship. Skopje Design Week continues to strengthen its role as a hub where designers gain both inspiration and practical knowledge to thrive in a competitive market.
