Design at Work is the meeting-place for those with a passion for innovation.
The Design at Work trade show aims at visualising innovation, design and product development of materials, products and services. On December 9th and 10th 2009, a wide range of international companies and organisations will present and share their know-how and latest innovations at Kortrijk Xpo.
New products, materials and services are the core business of Design at Work 09, where special attention will be devoted to product launches, for example of Dyson and Samsonite. Design at Work 09 is an opportunity for both dialogue and inspiration, mainly oriented towards the innovative professional.
Register for free to attend Design at Work 09
Architecture and Layout
Design at Work 09 will present an exceptionally creative and completely new trade fair concept at the new Kortrijk Xpo. It promises to be an original display within a journey of festive discovery created by IEA (Import Export Architecture) from Antwerp.
In practice, the space in Kortrijk Xpo will acquire a multifunctional aspect, with the various elements (booths, forum, product show, satellite events, bar…) all finding their place in the layout.
To see
The booths are placed along a winding course in the unusual show layout conceived by IE Architecture, who also designed the product show display and the Forum. Innovative table tennis set-ups throughout the Rambla invite visitors for a game. You can also test your level of fitness on the running track. Designregio Kortrijk, together with its partners, displays the best design products from the region. The renowned VRT television programme “De Bedenkers” (The creators) features a follow-up: ‘De Bedenkers gaan verder’ (The creators go further). A new Eco trailer with ‘things to come’ and some dazzling cars will close the show.
Honoured company
Oxylane Design is the design team of Decathlon (FR) with a passion for sports and product innovation. The team listens to clients on a daily basis in order to amass inspiration and market knowledge, with the aim of designing quality products with good design at a reasonable price. A company with a pronounced vision about product development, design, innovation and marketing, a company that inspires and shows how investment in design and innovation is an economic winner in the long term.
You can find more information about how to participate in an Oxylane workshop on this page.
Trade Show
Companies with a variety of different activities within the innovation sector, such as market research, industrial design, intellectual property, prototyping, engineering, packaging and branding, will present their products and services during Design at Work 09. Especially new product sectors such as communications, mobility, leisure, work and the care sector will feature prominently.
For instance: Solvin will present an overview of the potential of their plastics. Cosentino will launch their latest material. Materio will show an overview of a wide variety of useful materials. Companies such as Materialise and Kemo use specialist materials for the production of prototypes, while Voxdale specialises in what they call digital prototyping.
Lectures
A number of lectures will allow visitors to meet great creative and innovative minds. New trends and revolutionary techniques will be presented to the audience by a mixture of national and international speakers.
For more details & registration, please consult the program.
Avant-premieres & product launches
Design at Work 09 shows a big diversity of companies and a lot of novelties: Nissan, Dyson, Ysin, Alphatronics, Greenpoint, Philips, Lazerian, Samsonite, Traficon, vVio, Apple, Joli, Dotbaby, Curana, Taga, Fietser, Savac, Samoadesign, Sander Mulder, Stas, Veuve Cliquot, UDB etc.
Product Show
Through the product show and ‘Things to come’ you will discover how important it is to make essential goods, to learn and explore how today durability and ‘cradle to cradle’ can be managed differently, understand that solutions must be honest and transparent in their originality. Marvel how new materials, future technologies, wireless communication and integrating functionalities radically improves comfort and life.
Special events
Opening
Ji Lee (USA) is a phenomenon. Idiosyncratic and very creative, he knows and understands how different inputs can influence and amplify one another. Ji Lee is the creative brain behind Google Creative Lab and at the same time, coordinates his own projects as a designer. “Personal + Professional = Awesome” is the title of his first lecture in Belgium, on 8 December at 6.00 pm. Preceded by a talk between Ji Lee, minister Vincent Van Quickenborne, blogger and personal brand Imke Dielen and animated by Pitchworker Nina De Man.
Young Designers United
Young Designers United wishes to stimulate creativity and innovation using a social network for designers. On December 9 & 10, during Design at Work, the network will be launched in Belgium. YDU will promote the most talented young national and international designers on its contemporary video wall. YDU will also be on-site to provide designers with all the information needed to connect on the network. Aiming to bring the business and creative world together, YDU will hold 30 minutes live brainstorm sessions twice a day. These brainstorm sessions will deal with a creative looking for professional partners (investors, marketing experts,..) or a company in need of creativity.
Ping pong networking
Ever networked while playing table tennis? You are invited to use our Rollnet. During the networking slot after Ji Lee’s master lecture, you are invited to join us in a game of table tennis! Your opponents? People from Colruyt, Niko, BASF, Namahn, Televic, Emakina, the Flemish government, Toyota, Voka, Philips, Indie group…
IP Award 2009
Our baseline “Visualisation of innovation” means that we try to encourage innovation and competitive business. So this year, we’re handing out an award, to a Belgian company that has created the most innovative material, product or service. The award is a voucher, worth €4000, that can be used to apply for a European patent. It will be given away by Vincent Van Quickenborne in collaboration with FPS Economy.
ISD at work
During these 2 days, people that have graduated at the International School of Design wil present their profession. They will show how designers have climbed up the ladder of the business world and have become true professionals. Besides that, they will present their portfolios and do practical exercises like; the skit, a mini-brainstorming, the graphic palette.
De bedenkers
’The creators and beyond’ is based on the successful television show (”De Bedenkers”) on the één channel. A 400 m² presentation will ask the questions which will confront future creators (”bedenkers”). What is a creator? What is creativity? How good is my idea? How does one take an idea to market? What are the most successful stories, such as the speculoospasta (ginger biscuit spread). Who is mentioned on the international wall of fame?
The exhibition ‘The creators and beyond’ is brought to you by Design at Work in cooperation with Flanders DC and the Winkelhaak, and is supported by partners including the één channel.
