E:DN Ecodesign network

Project Aim

E:DN exchanges knowledge on ecodesign and sustainability with designers in Wales and the UK. This includes product, service, graphics and packaging designers. The workshops and events involve in-house designers and ‘design makers’ and design students and design educators.

EDC’s Involvement

In the first phase of the network there were a number of key achievements. These include:

• New web platform launched - http://ecodesignnetwork.org/
• 830 unique visitors/users
• 82.78% of users from UK/Wales
• approx 10% users visiting between 26–50 times
• 10 high profile events with leading international experts, designers and companies
• Strategic engagement with policy makers and other organisations such as Creative Industries KTN, Chemistry Innovation KTN, National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), British Council, Sustainable Development Commission, Design Wales and other Welsh universities
• Collaborative knowledge exchange with other projects in Wales – SAT NET, GAIM
• Study visit with companies to international design conference: http://intersections2011.com/
• Publication on network in leading international design journal: http://bit.ly/kK6C0Z
• Publication on network at leading international design conference: http://designresearch.fi/nordes2011
• Dialogue with international partners on sharing experience across regions
• Spinout series of events called ‘small talks’
• Network invited to join UK Design Skills Alliance

Key Project Outcomes

This project has set a platform for future work with the design sector in Wales. We are now increasing the emphasis on the wider creative industries, as this is a priority sector for the Welsh economy.