The Hidden Art Forum 2005 offers two days of discussions focusing on routes to market for designer-makers and preparing to sell work.
Hidden Art’s sixth Annual Forum brings together specialist speakers to provide a wider understanding of how the design industry operates, and help designer-makers identify the skills required to market themselves and their products successfully.
Day one focuses on the ways that designer-maker’s work can be presented and sold, what routes to market they can take and how to overcome barriers to entry.
Day two looks at ways designer-makers can prepare themselves and their businesses for successful selling and deal-making.
The Forum is open to all Hidden Art members: Designer-Maker London and Manufacturer/Retailer members may attend free of charge, UK/International and Friends members can attend at an additional cost of £15. Venue: Furniture Works, London Metropolitan University, 41 Commercial road, London E1 1LA.
PROGRAMME
Monday June 13
Routes to market Chair - John Miller (Centre Manager, Furniture Works, LMU) |
9:30 | Registration and coffee |
10:15 | Welcome address | Peter Brimson (Regeneration Manager, London Development Agency) |
10:30 | Routes to market | Speakers: Saskia Boersma (All Zones, Transport for London), Clare Page and Harry Richardson (Committee), Duncan Riches (SCP) | Panellists will highlight the different options available for designer-makers to introduce their work to the market place, from the perspectives of both buyer and seller. |
11:30 | Break |
12:00 | Seminar 1 - Commissions | Seminar 2 – Retailing | Seminar 3 – Other routes to market |
| An introduction on how to attract commissions, the process, common misconceptions, and the logistics involved. Speaker: Julian Ogiwara (Eric Parry Architects) | Information on approaching and dealing with buyers, the purchase process and sales structures. Speaker: Tass Mavrogordato (Contemporary Applied Arts) | Ideas on alternative routes to market, for example exhibition or shop design. Speakers: Matt Edmonds and Pam West (FRANK) |
13:00 | Break |
14:00 | Models for manufacture | Speakers: Piers Mansfield-Scaddan (Fly-Pitcher), John Miller (Furniture Works), Lionel Theodore Dean (Future Factories / Materialise) | Panellists will offer an overview of how to manufacture work, including prototyping, self-manufacture or finding a manufacturer, and the process and costs involved. |
15:30 | Break |
16:00 | Building your profile in the design industry | Speakers: Marva Griffin Wiltshire (Fondazione Cosmit Eventi, Salone Satellite, Milan), Marcus Fairs (Icon), William Knight (London Design Festival) | Panellists will discuss how to gain exposure via the press, exhibitions and retailers, and what to expect in return. |
17:00 | Summing up - John Miller (Furniture Works, LMU) |
17:30 – 20:00 | Networking |
Attendees must register by June 8. To register,
click here
Tuesday June 14
Preparing to sell Chair - David Dewing (Director, Geffrye Museum) |
9:30 | Registration and coffee |
10:15 | Welcome address | Dieneke Ferguson (Chief Executive, Mazorca Projects) |
10:30 | Professionalism in creative business | Speakers: Tony Gordon (Dazzle), David Bruno (Jam), Lucy Nunn and Tobie Snowdowne (TwoCreate). | Panellists will offer advice on how to project a professional image and maintain high standards of practice in the marketplace. |
11:30 | Break |
12:00 | Seminar 1 – Pitching and closing deals | Seminar 2 – Approaching manufacturers | Seminar 3 – Hidden Art Franchise |
| Information on how to interact with potential clients, preparing a pitch, successful presentation. Speakers: Dave Gibson and Michael Lenz (Draught Associates) | A discussion of how to prepare for dealing with manufacturers, the paperwork involved, and what to expect in return. Speaker: Grant Baker (Furniture Link) | An opportunity for potential Hidden Art franchisees to find out more about the process and benefits. Speakers: Robert Looker (Business Link Hertfordshire), Eleanor Bannister and Dieneke Ferguson (Mazorca Projects trading as Hidden Art) |
13:00 | Break |
14:00 | Selling internationally in emerging markets | Speakers: Alice Brown (100% Design) and Sorrel Hershberg (British Council) | Panellists will offer insight into the international marketplace of tomorrow, the opportunities to sell in emerging markets, and how these markets can impact UK designer-makers. |
15:30 | Break |
16:00 | Innovative routes to market | | An open discussion about the importance of innovation to drive small businesses. |
17:00 | Summing up - David Dewing (Geffrye Museum) |
17:30 – 18:00 | Networking |
