18 December 2025  

Designers selected for new international New Zealand-Scotland textile residency

Header Image: Hannah Sabapathy, ‘PROCESS’ at Dundee Design Festival 2024, curated by Dr Stacey Hunter, photography by Grant Anderson.

——

PRESS RELEASE, 18th December 2025

Designers selected for new international New Zealand-Scotland textile residency

FREE TO USE IMAGES: https://tinyurl.com/mr52cara 

Whanganui designer Matthew McIntyre Wilson and Dundee designer Hannah Sabapathy have been selected for a new international residency programme, strengthening ties between two UNESCO Cities of Design through ancestral textile practices.

The Textile Legacies programme will see the designers exchange cities in 2026, with Sabapathy arriving in Whanganui in March and Wilson departing for Dundee in April. The initiative marks the first formal creative exchange between the two cities since both achieved UNESCO City of Design status.

Selected by international and local panellists, the designers will each spend a month learning and sharing with the local design community, bringing unique cultural perspectives that will broaden creative practices in both cities.

Both Whanganui and Dundee have long-standing textile traditions that are powerful expressions of place-based cultural identity. The long-standing textile traditions of Whanganui and Dundee are powerful expressions of place-based cultural identity. Simultaneously, these histories also carry complex legacies — including the impacts of colonisation, war, and cultural suppression — which have shaped and, at times, disrupted cultural development. The resurgence of traditional textile techniques provides an opportunity for design heritage to shape contemporary identities and creative practices.

Matthew McIntyre Wilson is a Whanganui-based practitioner whose work intertwines Māori cultural practices, museological inquiry, and contemporary craft.

“This residency offers a rare opportunity to deepen my work in raranga whakairo (patterned weaving)”, says Wilson. “Engaging with early Māori textiles held in Scotland will strengthen my understanding of their histories and techniques.”

Hannah Sabapathy is a Dundee-based artist and researcher. Hannah trained as a printed textile designer and uses this knowledge to interrogate the power dynamics behind South Asian and British textile design history through pattern.

“I’m delighted to be participating in the Whanganui x Dundee: Textile Legacies residency!”  says Sabapathy. “It will extend my work around the politics of pattern design, enabling me to explore the complexities of materiality in the context of Whanganui.”

The exchange, supported by local organisations such as Verdant Works and Te Whare o Rehua Sarjeant Gallery, reinforces both cities as leaders in heritage-led design innovation.

“This collaboration benefits both locations and demonstrates how smaller cities can lead in cultural diplomacy” says Emma Bugden, Focal Point at UNESCO City of Design Whanganui. “This is the value of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network offering knowledge transfer, collaborative projects, and international partnerships.”

“At UNESCO City of Design Dundee, we believe in the power of design and the essential place of designers in the life of our city.” says Lizzie Day, Project Coordinator at UNESCO City of Design Dundee. “We are very excited to welcome Matthew to Dundee in 2026 and for Dundee’s own Hannah Sabapathy to journey to New Zealand – we anticipate this project will spark deeper connections and we hope that long-term collaboration with Whanganui will emerge from this initial exchange.”

“Cultural exchange is at the heart of the British Council’s Connections Through Culture programme” says Natasha Beckman, Director at British Council New Zealand and the Pacific. “When designers share ancestral textile practices across cultures, they can preserve heritage while opening new creative possibilities. We hope this exchange between Matthew McIntyre Wilson and Hannah Sabapathy will create lasting connections between Whanganui and Dundee, help grow our creative industries, and enrich design practice in both UNESCO Cities of Design for years to come.”

The residency runs from March to April 2026, with outcomes to be shared publicly in both cities.

END

 

For UK media enquiries, please contact elizabeth.day@leisureandculturedundee.com
For NZ media enquiries, please contact Eilish.Horrocks@whanganuiandpartners.nz 

Whanganui X Dundee: Textile Legacies is coordinated by UNESCO City of Design Dundee and UNESCO City of Design Whanganui and supported by the British Council New Zealand and the Pacific’s Connections Through Culture Programme.

 

Dundee UNESCO City of Design

Since 2014, Dundee has been the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design. This global designation as a Creative City acknowledges Dundee’s rich design heritage, its thriving contemporary design sector and a city committed to using design to solve problems and make Dundee a better place to live.

cityofdesigndundee.com
@designdundee / Instagram & Facebook
@designdundee.bsky.social / Bluesky

Whanganui UNESCO City of Design

In 2021, Whanganui was announced as New Zealand’s only UNESCO City of Design, one of 49 such cities worldwide, in recognition of the city’s exceptional creativity, innovative spirit, cultural integrity and strength of artistic tradition.

Whanganui’s City of Design status is not only a recognition of its creative heritage, it also reflects the unique significance of indigenous cultural identity and the direction the city is taking.

cityofdesignwhanganui.nz
@whanganuiandpartners / LinkedIn & Facebook

 

Designer Bios

Matthew McIntyre Wilson

Matthew McIntyre Wilson (Taranaki, Ngā Māhanga, Tītahi) is a practitioner whose work brings together Māori cultural practices, museological inquiry, and contemporary craft. Based in Whanganui, his practice is grounded in a sustained commitment to revitalising ancestral knowledge while expanding the possibilities of object-making today. Trained initially as a jeweller at Whitireia Polytechnic and Hawke’s Bay Polytechnic, his early focus on fine metalwork later converged with the weaving knowledge he learned under the guidance of master weaver and close friend Rangi Kiu. This convergence created a distinct practice in which jewellery and fibre technologies intertwine, enabling him to create intricately woven forms such as kete, tātua, armbands, and kākahu using both customary and contemporary materials. 

Matthew’s whakapapa links to Puniho and Oeo Pā in Taranaki, and his papakāinga at Kākahi, where the Whakapapa and Whanganui Rivers meet. The environmental and cultural histories of these places continue to shape his thinking, informing his relationship to the natural world and to the stylistic and conceptual foundations of his work. The artistic legacy of his grandfather, painter Peter McIntyre, further deepened his connection to place and observation. 

Central to his practice is the study of taonga held in museums. Through close examination of hīnaki, korotete, kupenga, and other woven objects, he re-engages with the embedded knowledge systems carried within their construction. This research underpins his ongoing exploration of how traditional technologies and design principles can be reactivated in contemporary contexts, forming an artistic language that honours generational knowledge while responding to present-day conversations around identity, museology, and cultural continuity. 

 

Hannah Sabapathy

Hannah Sabapathy is an artist and researcher based in Dundee. She trained as a printed textile designer, and uses pattern and a variety of materials to interrogate the power dynamics behind South Asian and British textile design history. 

She is currently a Leeds Opportunity Research Scholar undertaking a practice-based PhD at The University of Leeds. Hannah’s series of fourteen vitreous enamel panels for the 20/20 Residency with The Decolonising Institute, University of Arts has been acquired by The Harris Museum Preston and are on display at the newly reopened museum. Other recent commissions have been a collaborative light projection of Kashmiri textiles from the Cultural Institute, University of Leeds for Leeds Light Night. 

She has undertaken residencies at Hospitalfield, Dundee Contemporary Arts Print Studio and Cove Park, as well as The Harris Museum.

29 July 2025  

Nominees Announced for Shenzhen Design Award for Young Talents

Nominees Announced for Shenzhen Design Award for Young Talents 2025

The Shenzhen Design Award for Young Talents (SDAY) is back for its 6th year, this time celebrating the theme of “Shaping The Future Together”. These awards are open to designers (aged 35 and under) from across the UNESCO Design Cities Network. Dundee is proud to nominate an exciting selection of young professionals and students for the awards; you can check out our nominations below:

Nominated Young Professionals:

Nominated Students:

We wish all our nominees the best with their submissions!

In addition, we’re excited to announce that Dundee-based designer Linsey McIntosh has been asked to join the judging panel for this prize. Previous international judges invited to join the panel have included Russell Kennedy (Australia), Melike Taşcıoğlu Vaughan (Turkey), and Ian Lambert (USA) amongst others. You can view the full 2025 judging panel on sday.design

Linsey McIntosh is a designer, educator, facilitator and researcher with a passion for spaces, places, people and communities.

Originally from Glasgow, Linsey graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD) at the University of Dundee with a BDes (Hons) in Interior & Environmental Design in 2005. Following this, she worked in industry as an interior designer an award-winning architecture and interior design practice. In 2011, she was awarded an MDes (Distinction) after undertaking the DJCAD Master of Design programme, where she focused on service design approaches.

Since 2011, she has held a position as Lecturer in Interior & Environmental Design within Design & Making at DJCAD (Top 10 in UK for Art & Design, Complete University Guide 2024).

Photography by Grant Anderson.

You can view a selection of the nominated projects below:

For press enquiries, please contact Project Coordinator Lizzie Day on elizabeth.day@leisureandculturedundee.com

Image credits:

  1. A Little World of Ants (2024) by Cara Rooney
  2. She Town (2025) by Jo-AMI & Ruadhan Scanlan, photography by Alex James
  3. EH9 Annfield (2024) by Camillo Atlas, photography by Cameron Todd
  4. nothing matters (2025) by Ayla Ahmed
  5. The Light Reading Collection by Cathal Gibson
  6. A Kaleidoscopic Symphony (Interior) by Dylan Baliski
  7. Echoes in Chaos (2025) by Heidi Lee
  8. REPRIEVE by Studio Reprieve (Franciszek Maj, Maya Barnes & Garbhan Donnelly)
  9. Tactile Resistance (2024) by Yimou Huang, photography by Grant Anderson (Dundee Design Festival 2024, curated by Stacey Hunter)
  10. Life reWritten by Paul Hinnrichs, Matthew Ellington, Kopanieva Alisa & Mattea Sacco
6 June 2025  

Dundee Student Wins International Tram Prize

All photography by Jérôme Abou, courtesy of Saint-Étienne Métropole.

DUNDEE STUDENT WINS TRAM PRIZE

Paul Hinnrichs, Digital Interaction Design student at the University of Dundee, wins international tram design competition in Saint-Étienne, France

In celebration of the 13th Biennale Internationale Design Saint-Étienne, the Cité du design and Saint-Étienne public transport company (STAS), launch the winning designs of the A Streetcar Named Design competition.

The two winning designs, focus on the Biennale’s theme: “Resource(s), Foreseeing the future”

The International Prize, only applicable to students studying in a fellow UNESCO Creative City, was awarded to Paul Hinnrichs, Digital Interaction Design student at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee.

Dundee student’s design win delight’s 9-year-old tram fan – The Courier UK

Paul’s design, titled Trames d’Énergie: Weaving Tomorrow’s Currents, considers the tram as a dynamic map of France’s energy ecosystem, fusing industrial heritage with 21st-century resources. Inspired by the city’s legacy as a UNESCO Creative City of Design and its historic ribbon-weaving industry, the design visualises energy production and consumption as flowing ribbons that morph into binary data streams, symbolising how physical and digital resources power modern life.

Each ribbon’s width correlates with the regional energy output, creating a “live” tapestry. As these ribbons traverse the tram, they dissolve into binary code, reflecting energy’s role in powering digital infrastructure. The palette—teal, sage, pink, orange— references nuclear, hydro, fossil fuels, and renewable energies whilst honouring Saint-Étienne’s textile past.

“I’m truly honoured to receive this award alongside my fellow winner Lilou Thieffenat and thank everyone involved in the process. It’s never too late to learn, create, and take a chance. [It’s] also a pleasure to represent Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design [University of Dundee] and UNESCO City of Design Dundee internationally!”

“I wanted the Saint-Étienne tramway to be a dynamic map of the French energy ecosystem , merging industrial heritage with 21st-century resources.”

– Paul Hinnrichs

The National Prize (for students based in France) was awarded to Lilou Thieffenat, a Master’s student in Space Design at the Annecy Alpes School of Art. Lilou’s design in entitled Urban Heat, Perceiving the City Differently.

“I wanted to put humans back at the heart of the system, to rethink the city as a living organism , crossed by flows and presences. This tramway, dressed in a thermal imprint, reveals what the eye does not see: the heat that we produce, that which unites us, and that which we seek to tame.”

– Lilou Thieffenat
(as reported by SÉM le Mag)

Each winner will receive a prize of €4,500, with their designs running permanently on the rails of Saint-Étienne. Launched in late May 2025, Paul and Lilou’s designs join 6 further Biennale trams produced for previous iterations of the competition.

About the Saint-Étienne International Design Biennial

The 13th edition of the Saint-Étienne International Design Biennial opens its doors from 22 May to 6 July 2025. With Armenia as the guest country and Resource(s), Foreseeing the future as the theme, it invites everyone to come and discover bold, new projects, share enriching ideas and enjoy a rejuvenating, creative experience based around exhibitions, conferences, workshops and street festivals.

Find out more at biennale-design.com

 

About Saint-Étienne, UNESCO City of Design

In 2010 Saint-Étienne became the first French city to join the UNESCO creative cities network as city of design. Thanks to concrete initiatives such as the creation of the Cité du design and the International Design Biennial, Saint-Etienne has adopted design as an agent for urban transformation and for economic development. Relying on the creativity of its territory and the engagement of both the public and industrial sector, the city is reinventing itself, leading its numerous small and medium-sized enterprises to innovation, and improving the quality of its citizens’ urban living environment through design.

Find out more at designcities.net/city/saint-etienne

17 October 2023  

#whoisthedesigner campaign press release

For immediate release: Wednesday 18 October

For all press enquiries, please contact press@vandadundee.org
Free-to-use images are available to download here
Image credit: Grant Anderson

#WhoIsTheDesigner campaign launches

The designers and architects behind much-loved public spaces in Dundee and Montréal are being showcased in a new international photography campaign which launches today (Wednesday 18 October).

Dundee’s photographs include The Leaf Room in Ninewells Community Garden by Jonathan Reeve at Voight Architects, Discovery Dome Gallery by Ged Young at AIM Design, and The Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve Education Pavilion by Kirsty Maguire Architects.

“Who is the designer – Who is the architect” seeks to emphasise the creative work of dedicated professionals and increase public awareness regarding the recognition of architects and designers. Organized by Kollectif, an architecture platform based in Montréal, this third edition will spotlight exceptional projects crafted by talented architects and designers from UNESCO Cities of Design, Montréal (Canada) and Dundee (United Kingdom).

This joint initiative between the two cities has emerged from a desire to highlight the importance of acknowledging architects and designers when presenting their projects in the media, and a commitment to collaborate and share best practices aimed at supporting the design culture in our cities.

With this international photo campaign, the featured cities wish to convey a clear message: behind each photographed project, regardless of its scale, stands a committed team of city representatives, engineers, contractors, and sub trades led by many talented designers and architects.

All photographs will be revealed through the official social media profiles of the City of Montréal’s Bureau du design, Design Dundee and Kollectif, with individual portraits, a brief overview of the concept and key contributors being posted every week.

Designers, architects, and the public can also actively participate in this campaign through the hashtags #WhoIsTheDesigner #WhoIsTheArchitect.

 

Follow the campaign from Wednesday 18 October in both Dundee and Montréal through the social media channels:

City of Montréal’s Bureau du design – Instagram @designmtl

UNESCO City of Design Dundee – Instagram @designdundee

 

Meet the teams behind some of Montréal’s best and unique public spaces: https://designmontreal.com/en/gatherings/montreal-and-dundee-spotlight-the-outstanding-work-of-designers-and-architects-through-a

Meet the people behind some of Dundee’s buildings and public spaces: https://cityofdesigndundee.com/projects/who-is-the-architect-who-is-the-designer/

 

Councillor Lynne Short, Dundee City Council Spokesperson for Culture, History and Sport, said: “We are delighted that Dundee is partnering with the city of Montréal on this important initiative. The city of Dundee is incredibly proud of the architectural and urban design projects which surround us in our everyday lives. I am very supportive of this initiative to raise awareness of the people and teams behind these outstanding projects and committed to crediting the architects, designers, engineers and contractors who bring ideas to life.”

Annie Marrs, Lead Officer, UNESCO City of Design Dundee, said: “Collaborating and learning from fellow UNESCO Cities of Design around the world is what makes being a part of this network really special. Montréal’s project ‘Who is the designer – the architect’ caught my attention and I was pleased that Dundee has the opportunity to participate in the 2023 campaign. Through a series of stunning photos, this initiative introduces us to some of the designers who are helping to make Dundee a city of design.”

Luc Rabouin, Executive committee member responsible for commercial and economic development, knowledge, innovation and design, City of Montréal, said: “Montréal is proud to take part in this campaign alongside the City of Dundee, in the United Kingdom, to showcase the talent of local designers and architects worldwide. As a UNESCO City of Design, we recognise the importance of these creators for our territory, namely with regard to urban design and landscaping. They are the ambassadors for the future of our city.”

Éric Labelle, Director of the Economic Development Service, City of Montréal said: “I’m delighted with this Montréal edition of the ‘Who is the designer – Who is the architect’ campaign. It’s a promising initiative that is directly in line with the city’s commitment to developing and supporting creativity and design culture in Montréal. The design and architecture industry contributes directly to building our metropolis’s uniqueness, and therefore its attractiveness and competitiveness, while also contributing to individual and collective well-being.”

Martin Houle, Architect MRAIC, Director and Founder of Kollectif, said: “The enthusiasm generated by this campaign underlies a real challenge in recognizing the essential contribution of designers and architects in materializing various projects intended for all citizens. If artists and photographers, for example, are systematically credited for their work, we believe at Kollectif that it should be the same for our colleagues in the various design fields to raise awareness towards design culture here and abroad.”

(Ends)

For all press enquiries, please contact press@vandadundee.org
The buildings and urban spaces featured in Dundee’s campaign are:

Seabraes Viewpoint, by Callum McRobbie & Rachael Higgins, Landscape Designers at Dundee City Council.

In 2022, Dundee City Council embarked on a redevelopment project for this small but important public space, making use of reclaimed and sustainable materials and planting. The planting design commits to creating an unobstructed whole view which guides the visitor through the greenspace and makes the most of the stunning southern aspect.

Discovery Dome Gallery, by Ged Young, architect at AIM Design.

The Discovery Dome Gallery is an immersive visitor experience and a dramatic reworking of an underutilised space. In 2022, this reimagining of the entrance and reception area resulted in a bold design and detailing reflect the colours, ice flows and forms of the Antarctic.

V&A Dundee Community Garden, by Gary Kennedy architect at kennedytwaddle and Linsey McIntosh a designer and co-design specialist.

This innovative co-design project is a contemporary public space which has a positive impact on health and well-being of its design team and the people who use it today.  Informed by potting sheds, the garden has shelter, a sunken ‘hearth for people to gather, planters and collects rainwater to maximise sustainability.

The Leaf Room, by Jonathan Reeve architect at Voight Architects

Inspired by the natural form of a folded leaf, The Leaf Room is at the heart of Ninewells Community Garden. A beautifully and sensitively designed building, it provides a sheltered, accessible and communal space used by people of all ages and abilities in a wide range of garden activities.

The Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve Education Pavilion by Kirsty Maguire, architect at Kirsty Maguire Architects.

Commissioned by Nature Scot, the pavillion welcomes visitors to the reserve, showcasing information about the local wildlife and nature you can see there. At the end of its life, it is designed for deconstruction so to leave no trace on the environmentally important habitat and fragile landscape it occupies.

Scottish Dance Theatre Studio extension at Dundee Rep Theatre by Alice Turpie architect at Nicoll Russell Studios.

Home of Scottish Dance Theatre, this extension created a dance studio, changing rooms and support accommodation for Scotland’s flagship contemporary dance company. Respecting the original and distinctive geometric features of the existing building, the space is flooded with light from above by virtue of a skylight in the pyramidal roof.

READ MORE ABOUT THESE PROJECTS HERE
ABOUT THE CITY OF MONTRÉAL’S BUREAU DU DESIGN

The Bureau du design is part of Montréal’s Service du développement économique. Its mission is to improve city planning together with designers and architects; to provide support and guidance to municipal departments and the boroughs in experimenting with processes that favour quality and promote the emerging generation of design and architecture practitioners (competitions, workshops, panels); and to develop the market for Montréal-based designers and architects (incentives, projects) while promoting their talent (locally and internationally).It is responsible for Montréal’s designation as a UNESCO City of Design in 2006, for the report that led to its extension in 2016, and for the review filed for the purpose of its renewal in 2021.

More information about can be found at: https://designmontreal.com/

 

ABOUT DESIGN DUNDEE

The city of Dundee is the United Kingdom’s first and only UNESCO City of Design. The global designation as a Creative City acknowledges Dundee’s rich design heritage, its thriving contemporary design sector and a city committed to using design to solve the problems its citizens face.

The programs run by the UNESCO City of Design Dundee team are unpinned by a belief in the power of design and the essential role of designers in the life of a city. The activities celebrate and demonstrate the impact of design, embrace co-design, promote talent, engage designers in decision- making and collaborate with other UNESCO Cities of Design.

More information can be found at: www.cityofdesigndundee.com

 

ABOUT KOLLECTIF

Founded in 2006, Kollectif’s mission is to inform, promote and support Québec’s architectural quality as well as its community of professionals by means of a news website, production of original video series, a presence on social networks, the organization of architectural campaigns and active participation in certain events. In 2023, Kollectif was awarded the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada Advocate for Architecture Award, which celebrates an individual, or collective of individuals, who has acted as a public champion for the advancement of Canadian architecture through their advocacy, patronage, and/or other
forms of support.

More information about can be found at: https://kollectif.net/

related content
WHO IS THE ARCHITECT, WHO IS THE DESIGNER
WHO IS THE DESIGNER EXHIBITION
2 November 2018  

UCCN Design Sub Network Meeting in Dundee

In October 2018 we were delighted to welcome 36 our of international colleagues to Dundee from 19 of our sister UNESCO Cities of Design!

The representative Cities of Design included: Brasilia, Cape Town, Detroit, Dubai, Geelong, Graz, Helsinki, Istanbul, Kobe, Kolding, Kortrijk, Montreal, Nagoya, Puebla, Shenzhen, Singapore, Seoul, Torino and Wuhan!

Whilst on our visit to Krakow earlier in 2018 for the UNESCO Creative Cities Network 12th Annual Meeting, we were voted to host the next Design Sub Network Meeting here in Dundee! Taking place across three days, we devised a packed programme of events, taking our guests to productive work sessions at the University of Dundee, V&A Dundee and the Vision Building where we discussed subjects such as Design & Education, Policy, Business/Entrepreneurship and Communications. This was an excellent opportunity for us all to gather and discuss how we can collaboratively work together in the future expanding on UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goals.

In partnership with Creative Dundee, we hosted a successful PKN styled event: Global UNESCO Design Cities Event which included speakers from 7 of our fellow UNESCO Cities of Design who each presented what they think makes their city a special place to live. Each presentation can be found on our youtube channel, with credit to Bonnie Brae Productions.

Our delegates had a fantastic time visiting Dundee, meeting local people and businesses; some for the first time, others returning after 10 years or more, noting the “astounding transformation”. We enjoyed some beautiful local produce from the Newport Restaurant, The Parlour Café and The Bach, amongst others, and are incredibly thankful to all of our sponsors and partners for allowing us to make this happen! We can’t wait to welcome back our international colleagues in the future and are thrilled they loved their time in Dundee!

With thanks to I Do Videos for creating our video of the three day meeting:

UNESCO City of Design Sub Network Meeting in Dundee from Design Dundee on Vimeo.

Steven Kyle visited Turin to learn how the city is using design to shape public services.
2 November 2017  

Steven Kyle at Torino Design of the City

Steven Kyle, Dundee City Council, visited Turin City of Design in October 2017 to learn how the city is using design to shape public services.

Read more below about Steven’s experience below:

“When I was asked to attend ‘Torino Design of the City’ in Turin I knew very little of the place which lies just 100 miles to the west of Milan, nestled at the foot of the Alps in Northern Italy’s Piedmont region. After spending a few days in the city during this week-long festival of design comprising of events, meetings, workshops, exhibitions, guided tours and the general assembly of the World Design Organisation (WDO)™, I came to learn that Turin has many parallels with Dundee.”

Turin is a city which has a rich history and heritage, rising to global prominence over the centuries and in more recent history, becoming an important centre of industry in Italy with the claim to fame of being the birthplace of the Italian automotive industry (the T in Fiat standing for Torino). The automotive crisis in the 70s and 80s hit Turin hard and has forced the post-industrial city to look hard at its identity and it has been reinventing itself ever since.

Dundee of course draws parallels with Turin’s post-industrial reinvention, moving from global prominence in the 3 Js – jute, jam and journalism – to becoming one of Scotland’s most modern and forward thinking cities. Even the football rivalry is similar – Juventus F.C and Torino F.C both claim superiority, much like our local teams of Dundee and Dundee United.

Over the past decade, Turin has really cemented its position as an important cultural centre for Italy, beginning with being awarded the accolade of World Design Capital in 2008 and more recently becoming a UNESCO Creative City of Design in 2014 – at the same time as Dundee.

‘Torino Design of the City’ brought together representatives from over 40 different countries to discuss what could be achieved if service design principles are applied to public policy with a particular focus on sustainable mobility and urban regeneration.

The key message focused on the importance of participation and co-design directly with citizens. Throughout the various presentations from all around the globe, designing solutions in partnership with those who will directly use them was seen as one of the most important ways we can both deliver the right outcome for our citizens, but also help to shape policy that will be robust and sustainable for the future of our cities and the people living in them. A number of cities shared their experiences of service design, the challenges of implementation and the translation of this into public policy.

Dundee has had an interesting journey on this path so far. Over the past decade, it has cemented its position as a city committed to design, starting with a concrete commitment to the built environment through the redevelopment of the Waterfront. This catalyst allowed for other design exploration and since Dundee’s 2014 City of Design award, Dundee City Council has started to look beyond the built environment, viewing service design as a powerful development tool.

Through partnership working, most recently with Dundee & Angus College to develop a Service Design Academy set to launch next year and collaborative work with the Scottish Government and other local authorities to build a ‘Scottish Approach to Service Design’, the clear commitment to service design principles is stronger than ever.

Steven Kyle is the Changing for the Future Programme Manager at Dundee City Council.
Detroit Design Festival
17 October 2017  

Clare Brennan at Detroit Design Festival 2017

Curator and lecturer Clare Brennan from Abertay University visited Detroit Design Festival in September 2017 on behalf of UNESCO City of Design Dundee.

Read more on Clare’s experience below:

“The little I knew of Detroit was limited to some knowledge of the car manufacturing industry, a big love for the Motown music movement, and of course the fact that it is also a member of the Creative Cities network as a UNESCO City of Design.

Flying the flag for Dundee, I landed in Detroit with little awareness or preconception of what to expect and left with a huge love for the people, an admiration for the creative community and a headful of inspiration from all the conversations, exhibitions and events that formed the Detroit Design Festival 2017.

I arrived at the hotel on a humid evening, slung my bags in my room and was immediately off to my first festival event, Sound and Objectivity – a warehouse based gathering with talks from sound designers, scholars and DJ’s discussing the design of spaces, buildings and objects, and the impact this has on our experience of sound and music. It was a totally fascinating series of talks which brought attention to something which is often overlooked in the design of buildings and public spaces, but which has a huge effect on our everyday experiences of places.

Over the course of the week myself, and my new-found posse of UNESCO colleagues from Saint Etienne (France) and Nagoya (Japan) were toured around the City by our incredibly generous host and tour guide extraordinaire Ellie Schnieder from Detroit’s DC3. DC3 look after Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design designation and work to strengthen Detroit’s creative economy, supporting and connecting people.

 

We visited the incredible Fisher building, an iconic skyscraper known as ‘Detroit’s largest art object’, where a development company called Platform are renovating and renting out affordable artists’ spaces – recognising the economic and social value of having a community of creatives to revive and regenerate buildings and spaces. As a post-industrial City in a period of recovery from the economic collapse of the early 2000’s (and a greater, more complex history of industry, politics and society), this is incredibly encouraging to see.

And it’s not a solitary story – abandoned warehouses, factories and buildings across the city are being populated by entrepreneurial designers and artists who are turning these spaces in to creative hubs where new creative work is being made, communities are forming and areas are being transformed through creativity and collaboration.

From Thing Thing (a design studio who exhibited at this year’s Dundee Design Festival), to the Talking Dolls experimental studio , to OmniCorp a maker/hacker space, creatives are clubbing together, getting clued up on terms and policy’s surrounding property leasing/buying, and elbowing through the red-tape to make cool, beautiful and crucial things happen. It’s no easy task, and many have to maintain ‘day’ jobs to keep it all going and continue to battle shaky ground with landlords and local authority, but the determination and passion is incredibly evident and inspiring.

Every event of the festival transformed city spaces and non-traditional gallery spaces in to a buzzing hive of celebration. Eastern Market after Dark was bustling with live music, DJ’s, design stalls, open studios, performers, bars and food trucks, stretching over a HUGE area that would be impossible to take in in one night.

Light-up Livernois was the same, an expanse of road that is animated with late night independent retailers, a community fashion show, live bands and playful public installations to interact with.

Every event is super social, with a vibe of ‘go big or go home’ and everyone is welcome to the party. There’s a very warm convivial atmosphere with so many fascinating characters that are interesting, but also interested. They’ll strike up a conversation and listen intently before bouncing back a brilliant retort or question.

 

Detroit wears its Heart and its Art on its sleeve. Events are out in the open air or in public spaces where it feels like everyone and anyone is welcome. Everywhere you look there are bold glorious murals and large scale gorgeous graffiti artworks wrapping surfaces of buildings, old and new. It’s a total feast for the eyes.

And Detroiters are fiercely proud of their city, they know what their challenges and struggles are but they also shout about all the really wonderful, cool cultural things that are happening in every corner. Adorned with ‘DETROIT’ emblazoned caps, t-shirts and jumpers, so many people are great ambassadors for their City – perhaps we in Dundee could raise our branded gear game. Hmmm… where did I put my ‘Dundee Saved My Life’ t-shirt?”

 

 

Clare Brennan is a Curator and Lecturer in Visual Arts Practice at Abertay University

EU study of Dundee's Creative Industries
2 August 2015  

Dundee’s Creative Industries – EU Study

We are pleased to report that Dundee has been selected as a case study demonstrating best practice in cultural/creative industries support, alongside other European cities including Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Lisbon.

Culture for Cities and Regions is part of the EU Creative Europe Programme, delivered by EUROCITIES. The project promotes best practice and the transfer of knowledge to ensure projects in cities and regions throughout Europe place culture at the heart of their development strategies.

The chosen case study about Dundee titled ‘Creative Industries: Support for Growth‘, highlights the challenges, strengths and activities happening in Dundee to grow the creative industries and tackle issues such as talent retention and attraction.

One of 70 case studies from across Europe selected from 181 applications; other European UNESCO Cities of Design have also been selected as studies alongside Dundee, including Bilbao, Helsinki, Turin and Berlin. Dundee has also been chosen as one of just 15 cities to host a study visit by people working in this field across Europe later this year. 

Dundee is the only Scottish city to be included and one of only 5 from the UK, which include: Derry-Londonderry, the UK City of Culture in 2013; and Liverpool, former European Capital of Culture. The case study was written and submitted by Dundee City Council; and Creative Dundee is pleased to have been referenced, along with other organisations doing good work in this area. For us, this case study is important recognition for everyone who works within the creative industries in Dundee – practitioners, collectives, organisations and businesses. 

This is great timing, coming after the city’s designation of UNESCO City of Design earlier this year; and ahead of the The Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry into the creative industries in Scotland, which will see MPs visit Dundee and Edinburgh for its evidence sessions this Autumn. Then next year it is Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016 which will celebrate the role of creativity and innovation across the country – this study is another solid step in the right direction.

All case studies can be viewed and downloaded here and the European project can be followed on Twitter: #CultureforCitiesRegions.

Dundee’s 4 page case study can be found here

dundee copy

dundee

dundee

dundee