The designCORE group of IT Carlow hosted a major symposium of Design Research for Product at the newly opened Dargan Centre, on the 17thJune.
The day sought to facilitate and open dialogue to share experience in the area of applied research in design for product. The gathering also sought to explore the very nature & definition of ‘design research’ itself. Co-director of designCORE Colin Deevy stated that the “initiative was a resounding success and much progress was made to assist all participant Universities & Institutes map a national strategy for advancing research. The dialogue supports deeper understanding of the capacities within higher education and supports deeper collaboration in addressing Horizon 2020 & research funding opportunity in the years ahead”.
Despite a well-established Level 9/Level10 community of post graduate research activity in Ireland in the area of ‘design research for product’, this gathering was the very first time a high level research grouping of this nature had ever been convened. A commemorative ‘Flame of Knowledge’ was commissioned to mark the event; each participating University & Institution receiving a bespoke element, engraved with the respective name, housed in a presentation case.
Next year has been designated Year of Irish Design 2015 by The Crafts Council of Ireland. As a key engagement into this national initiative, the Institute will host a conference in the area of the ‘Design Research’ early next year. It is anticipated that a call for papers will go out in October 2014. This landmark event will coincide and mark the 40th Anniversary of the first NCEA validated Design for Product group, who graduated from the then Regional Technical College Carlow in 1975.
The Institute of Technology Carlow and designCORE is emerging as a leader in product design & innovation and advanced post-graduate research. Making innovation relevant to human experience is central to what the designCORE group seek to achieve through excellent design. This approach assist companies grow more successful more quickly and supports a stronger and more completive economy.
ENDS
For more information contact Colin Deevy e: colin.deevy@itcarlow.ie
