This past weekend marked the kick-off of the Green Design Competition during the Dutch Design Week. This ‘green design’ competition for businesses was launched in an effort to stimulate an ecologically aware economy. Total Identity was asked to help design the new initiative, a joint effort between the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I), and the organisers of AIFW (Amsterdam International Fashion Week). The letters G and the C are integrated into the pictorial logo, putting the theory of re-use into practice.

The theme of the 10th edition of the Dutch Design Week (DDW) in Eindhoven on Saturday 29 October was Green Design. Together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation (EL&I), DDW launched the Green Design Competition (TGDC): a contest among businesses that encourages participants to arrive at ‘green’ and innovative design creations. Registration for the Green Design Competition is open until 10 February 2012.

The first edition of the Green Design Competition was officially launched and introduced by Hans Robertus, the director of DDW:  “The Green Design Competition must initiate a shift towards an ecologically minded design industry. We are convinced that through co-creation, designers will be able to work together to contribute to a more ecologically aware economy.”

Participants in the competition must design a product and write a business plan outlining how their ideas will contribute to bio-diversity. The ‘green’ aspect may be represented in the concept and production as well as in the designated use of the products.




During the launch of the Green Design Competition, ambassador Jurgen Bey presented his vision on the future of design. “The crux of this competition is the entrepreneur with a vision who is searching for the active words and who perhaps even becomes an activist in the process,” according to Bey. “I believe that this is the time for all of us to roll up our sleeves and look for new green designs, nurtured by culture and undertaken by an activist designer. A designer who is not afraid of industry and perhaps even re-discovers it.”

Guest speakers Paul Vetter of the Ministry of EL&I, Christiaan Maats of OAT Shoes and international top model Lonneke Engel spoke in Eindhoven on the theme of 'design with prospects for the future'.




Participation
The competition consists of two categories, the first is intended for designers who are currently working in the design industry and aspire to elevate their company to a higher plane (nationally or internationally). The first prize for the winner in this category is € 25,000. The second category is for young designers just starting out who are currently setting up their own companies. These participants will compete for a €15,000 prize.






For more information, please contact Bob van der Lee:


Bob van der Lee
Phone +31 20 750 95 64
bvdlee@totalidentity.nl