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Applications are now closed.
Challenge the status quo and unlock transformative innovation with the Impact Cohort Programme, powered by Fab Lab Barcelona. Led by the forward-thinking Distributed Design initiative, this programme flips the script on traditional design by leveraging global connectivity to shift from product movement to data exchange. Dive deeper into value-driven design and circular transitions, learning hands-on with experts. Make this your journey to unleash innovation that benefits both your business and the planet.
Launching April 2024, this immersive programme will help you connect with young creative talents and established industry partners. Participants will learn about tools and methods for value-driven design; design for impact; transition to the circular economy and exchange of best practices and networks.
The aim is twofold: provide emerging creatives with a boost in their professionalisation and career development and get in contact with industry and research institutions, and to diffuse the Distributed Design way of working within industries, allowing all participants to gain insights into value-driven design and circular transition methods to innovate their practice and business models.
Who is it for?
The framework guides collaboration between emerging Creative Talents and Industry Partners to ensure collaboration is successful, fruitful and fair.
- Creative Talents are selected through an Open Call.
- Industry Partners receive exclusive access to the participation of 2 workers of the organisation and can bring one case of study to be analysed in “The Open-Source Ecosystem Toolkit” deployed by the Danish Design Center.
What does it include?
- Online instruction and facilitation
- Immersion into the Distributed Design approach to the circular economy through value-driven design
- Course material and presenter slides
- Networking opportunities with like-minded business professionals
Dates, times and sign up
Impact Cohort will take place online throughout 15th – 30th of April. The programme will take up around 6-7.5 hrs/week.
For Creative Talents
- Deadline extended to 28th of March
- Selection process is throughout 28th of March – 3rd of April
- Confirmation of participation will take place on the 3rd of April
Creative Talents will be selected through an open call that is free of charge.
For Industrial Partners
- Sign up for companies until 28th of March
The participation of the Industrial Partners is accompanied by a fee which includes the participation of 2 workers of the organization in the online programme and the possibility of bringing one case of study to be analysed in “The Open-Source Ecosystem Toolkit” deployed by the Danish Design Center.
To take part in the programme, please get in touch directly with Distributed Design lead [email protected] or with Fab Lab Barcelona Strategic Partnerships lead Noel Criado [email protected]
Programme outcomes
- Connect with young creative talents and established industry partners
- Learn about tools and methods for value-driven design; design for impact; transition to the circular economy; and exchange of best practices and networks
- Gain insights into value-driven design and circular transition methods to innovate your practice and business models
- Grow your network by exchanging experiences and ideas with like-minded creatives and industry professionals
- Boost your professionalisation and career development
Skills you’ll gain
- Immersive learning & guided facilitation
- Innovative approaches to implement inclusive and circular practices
- Tools and frameworks
- Mentorship of experts
Key topics
- Designing for action, engagement, and resilience
- Collaborative and sustainable practices
- Value driven design practices
What you’ll learn
Module 01: Introduction to Distributed Design
You will discover a framework for designers, makers and creatives to innovate the field of design towards more open, regenerative and collaborative practices.
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Module 02: The Open-Source Ecosystem Toolkit
Explore concepts, strategies, and real-world case studies to build a shared understanding and equip yourself with the language and tools to move forward.
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Module 03: Insights into funding and impact opportunities
You will hear experts talk about their experiences in making and scaling up a business for creating high social and environmental impact initiatives, and end this journey with shared insights and reflections for the future.
Find detailed information about the contents of each week in the programme’s syllabus.
Meet the experts
- Jessica Guy, Distributed Design Expert
- Theresa Balslev, Danish Design Center Circular Economy Expert
- Flavia Catacora, Director of SINGA
- Solene Aymon, Makesense Engagement and Community
- Julia Bertolaso, Design Strategist
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is this programme for?
This programme is for you if you:
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- Are a change maker seeking unconventional solutions.
- Want to innovate your practice and business models.
- Believe in the power of design for positive impact.
Both for emerging creative talents and industry partners, this three weeks long immersive programme is for those who seek to solve tomorrow’s problems when confronted with today’s challenges. The framework guides collaboration between emerging creative talents and industry partners to ensure collaboration is successful, fruitful and fair.
2. What is the Distributed Design Platform?
The Distributed Design Platform (DDP), co-funded by the European Union, is a practice-based advocacy platform for Distributed Design coordinated by Fab Lab Barcelona.
The platform brings together a diverse member base from 18 cultural and creative institutions from 13 European countries. The Platform presents an annual programme built around open source, public-facing tools and methodologies to educate, train and upskill designers and citizen-designers in the field and potential of distributed design.
The Distributed Design Platform acts as a key exchange and networking platform for the innovative field of Distributed Design.
3. What does the programme include?
Each session has 1-2 capsules, for which experts will explain the why, what, and how of those specific topics discussed in those sessions. We will bring to life case studies from around the globe using different tools and frameworks.
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- 9 live online sessions
- 45 participants
- 6 Experts (TBC)
- 3 case studies
- 3 Resources
- 4 Organisations
- Immersive learning & guided facilitation
- Innovative approaches to implement inclusive and circular practices
- Tools and frameworks
- Mentorship of experts
4. What will you be able to do with it?
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- Connect with young creative talents and established industry partners.
- Learn about tools and methods for: value-driven design; design for impact; transition to the circular economy; exchange of best practices and networks.
- Gain insights into value driven design and circular transitions methods to innovate their practice and business models.
5. What will I learn from the experts?
You will gain hands-on experience with Distributed Design’s cutting-edge methods, deep dive into value-driven design and circular transitions, and benefit from Fab Lab Barcelona’s 8-year legacy of +100 sustainable city initiatives.
6. What is the role of the experts? Will participants be able to get feedback?
Experts will be present and available to answer any questions you may have on specific sessions and ensure that you have the feedback, guidance, and support you need to learn successfully in those three weeks.
Our experts have been selected based on having direct experience with applying the programme methods and mindsets. Their vast experience applying these very methods in diverse contexts around the world allows them to anticipate challenges and provide the support you need to thrive throughout the programme.
7. How do I participate as a Creative Talent?
You must apply through an Open Call and a selection of 30 emergent Creative Talents will be made.
Participation is free for Creative Talents that work at the intersection of the maker movement and digital design with the following guidelines:
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- Creative Talents are within the first 5 years of their career
- The Creative Talent is based out of Europe or a participating country
- The Creative Talents’ design approach must reflect some of the aspects of at least two of the four principles of distributed design: valuable, distributable, reproducible and design sensitive. (See p.5 of the Mobility Scheme Participation Guide for description)
- The Creative Talents will be selected based on the selection Criteria for descriptions of each, which includes your project’s relationship to Distributed Design Platform Values and how it addresses the values of Open, Collaborative, Regenerative and Ecosystemic.
- We will inform selected applicants by e-mail on a rolling basis.
8. How do I participate as an Industry Partner?
The cost for the Industry Partner creative includes:
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- Participation of (max.) 2 workers of the organisation
- Possibility to bring one case of study to be analysed in “The Open-Source Ecosystem Toolkit” deployed by the Danish Design Center.
9. How can Industry Partners purchase this programme?
Get in touch directly with Distributed Design lead [email protected] or with Fab Lab Barcelona Strategic Partnerships lead Noel Criado [email protected]