After the success of Sustainable Makers 2021, this new edition in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office, MaterFAD, BIAAF, BASE Milano and NEO2 magazine will bring British and European expertise in circular design and future trends (materials and processes) to an audience of professionals and advanced practitioners from nine European countries who seek to find out more about the latest innovations and opportunities in this sector.
The British Council - Sustainable Makers Assembly 22, co-curated by Zoe Powell Best and Laurina Samuel, will gather top British experts to explore the following four major strands of practice in the field of sustainable design and creative economies:
- Innovating with unconventional waste from industry (value of resources, supply chains, innovations, distributed design)
- Natural material research (working with nature. nature inspired design, circular principles, uses of contextual local waste streams, regenerative practices)
- Materials and community engagement (connecting through materials and products, building design communities, diverse, inclusive and equal working environments, new skills exchange/creation)
- Running a business using sustainable materials (balancing materials, business growth
This exciting online event will take place over 3 days and with three different levels of access.
PROGRAMME
Day 1 (14th March): Inspirational talks & future trends - discovering the most innovative and forward-thinking solutions to take circular design to the next level. Unlimited access but advance registration required. With:
- Hannah Elisabeth Jones (multidisciplinary artist-designer specialising in biomaterials and organic colour) will focus on natural material research and material resources & learning
- Osmose studio (interdisciplinary design studio focused on regenerative circularity and sustainability in fashion, homeware and furniture, among many others) will look at sustainable business practice/ Innovating unconventionally and new research
- Harris Elliott (creative director, curator and stylist from Le Tings) will examine community engagement, material resources & learning and sustainable business practice
- Rosie Broadhead (apparel designer and researcher specialising in biomaterials in the fashion industry) will centre on innovating unconventionally and new research
Day 2 (15th March): Masterclass given by Sarah King, interdisciplinary design researcher and maker, supporting artists, individuals, and enterprises in the development of sustainable product innovations for social and commercial outcomes. This masterclass will get into the design-thinking behind sustainability in design, including activities focusing on circular sourcing and material life cycles. Open to up to 40 participants selected through the open call application.
Day 3 (16th March): Virtual Open Studios tour: An interactive and digital collective visit to the following design studios:
- MATERFAD, Barcelona Materials Centre, created and driven by the FAD, Fostering Arts and Design. Hosted by its scientific director Robert D. Thompson
- Rhys Ellis, multidisciplinary designer recognised for bridging the gap between waste management and circular design
- Phoebe English, a studio that aims to research and develop design solutions to the extreme environmental times that we live in
Open to up to 40 participants selected through the same open call.
The Masterclass and the Virtual Open Studios tour will take place on the exclusive Sustainable Makers Assembly Metaverse that allows participants to interact, exchange and organise networking meetings.
Deadline to apply: Thursday 10th March at 23:59 CET
The British Council Sustainable Makers Assembly is part of the Circular Cultures Spain programming, which has a particular focus on supporting emerging talent and future trends.
Circular Cultures is the European arm of the British Council’s global programme ‘Making Matters’. This programme addresses sustainable design and creative economies, aiming to promote greater awareness around circularity and sustainability. Aiming to embed a more critical dialogue around design and circularity, this leads to developing skills and knowledge of making leaders and creating exciting new EU networks around sustainability and circularity. The programme currently operates in 9 countries across Europe: France, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands.
The British Council is member of the New European Bauhaus from the European Commission – shaping a greener and fairer way of life in creative and inclusive societies through Architecture, Design and Arts.