UK Programme Tour

The IYDEY UK Industry tour programme was designed to give the finalists a general overview of the different sectors and strands of work within the UK design industry. It was two weeks long, and took place both in Glasgow and London, where the finalists were able to learn and network with key players from the sector.

The tour began with a two-day visit to Glasgow, home to one of the most exciting and vibrant design communities in the UK. Organised in collaboration with The Lighthouse, Scotland’s Centre for Architecture and Design, the visit included meeting several small, independent designers and design studios in Glasgow’s regenerated Merchant City. Other visits included a private tour of Mackintosh’s celebrated 1897 Glasgow School of Art, and a visit to Glaswegian textile designers Timorous Beasties’ flagship store in the city’s West End. The visit culminated with a networking event with some members of the Creative Entrepreneurs Club (CEC) at the Mackintosh tower in The Lighthouse.

Back in London, the group met with several organisations, from graphic and furniture design studios to public institutions and educational centres devoted to the promotion and development of design. From the Design Council and D&AD, to Studio Troika, SCP, General Public Agency and BB Saunders, the diverse meetings were successful in giving the finalists a comprehensive overview of the British design industry. The highlight of these meetings was undoubtedly the masterclass with Tom Dixon, which took place at his studio in Clerkenwell and was chaired by Emily Campbell, Head of the Design Unit at the British Council. Also, the finalists got a chance to explore the numerous events taking place during the London Design Festival, including several exhibitions, street markets, and even a Designersblock’s ‘hallucinatory tea party’ in Holloway!

Finally, the tour culminated with the finalists attending 100% Design, one of the world’s most important furniture and interior design trade fairs. The awards ceremony took place there on Friday 21 September, with renowned independent designer Thorsten van Elten presenting the award to Sigal Cohen from Venezuela

You can download the detailed UK programme tour in PDF format by clicking on this link.