Dear Members and Friends,

Recently, I had the pleasure of hearing our Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, David Onley, speak.  His Honour is a champion for disability rights.  He knows first hand what it is like to navigate the world at a disadvantage - as he has coped with polio and post-polio effects since he was 3 years old.  Speaking from his mobility device, aka, a ‘scooter', I was touched at how positive he is about his fellow Canadian's good will to 'make things right' - to create environments and products that are accessible for all people.  I wish that I shared his positive outlook.  I am astounded that 'somehow' places get built that are not only inaccessible, but also dangerous.  Is it the fault of the construction industry?  Does the fault lie with building inspectors?  Architects?  Designers?  Engineers?   Perhaps in our hurried pace, we let things slip through the cracks?  We must all take responsibility and not only ensure that we develop best practices for safe and accessible environments, but go a step beyond building code.  Plain and simple:  building code is minimum.  I challenge each of you to raise the bar - go beyond code and prove Mr. Onley right.

Samantha Sannella

H20 – New Scenarios for Survival
March 7 – April 27
Free Admission

Posters by Italian graphic designers tackle the political, social, and environmental aspects of water. Curated by Arch. Roberto Marcatti, the exhibit also features a selection of bottled water from across the globe.  Posters represent feasible and realizable proposals and projects, for the collection of water, its purification, transportation, distribution, recycling process and climate change. The exhibit includes 120 posters, which will be divided between the DX and The Italian Cultural Institute at 496 Huron Street.

Supported by Enwave Energy, the Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura. Azure, San Benedetto, ADI, Studio Elastica and City of Toronto.

Chinese Design. Everyday.
February 8 – April 13

This unique exhibit introduces visitors to the world of Chinese Design by focusing on contemporary design work. The exhibit traces the development of modern Chinese Design with the support of artifacts selected from the late Qing and Cold-War periods to the current era (1908-2008). 

Visitors will be introduced to an extensive graphic history along with numerous artifacts from the contemporary era in the context of everyday life. A marriage of the millennia-old Chinese cultural heritage and the most current Western and international trends will be examined through a display of contemporary design objects, traditional household items like package design and dinnerware, Mahjong table, fashion and the latest in lap-top computers.

Poster call: H2O: New Scenarios for Survival
Concept Deadline: April 15, 2008
Final Poster Deadline: April 25, 2008

H20: New Scenarios for Survival is a travelling exhibition curated by Roberto Marcatti. Originating in Italy and currently on display at Design Exchange and the Italian Cultural Institute in Toronto until April 27th, the exhibit is slated to open in Spain for Expo 2008 themed “Water and Sustainable Development”. We are pleased to announce a call to Canadian designers to submit posters about water issues for inclusion in this exhibition. Participants are required to submit by e-mail a developed poster concept and 50 word bio to the attention of Paola Poletto (paola@dx.org, tel.416-216-2155) by April 15th. Upon selection, final posters (100 cm high x 70 cm wide, mounted on 3/16” gator board) will be delivered to Design Exchange by April 25th at designer’s expense. Please visit www.H20milano.org or visit DX to view posters by participating designers.

All New Summer Camps

The Design Exchange offers engaging design-based summer camps for young designers aged 7 to 16.  Sessions run weekly from July 7th to August 29th, 2008.  Our programs are led by a qualified and creative team of counselors, senior camp staff, and visiting design professionals. This year’s line up of design camps is sure to engage your young designer.  Don’t delay; register early to ensure a spot in Toronto’s most prestigious summer program.

http://www.dx.org/camps/camps

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Design Witihin Reach - Reaches out to the Design Exchange with a Toronto Studio Opening.

Design Exchange would like to extend congratulations to a highly successful showroom opening on March 13th. DESIGN WITHIN REACH(DWR) will be donating  10% of the sales made in the opening week to the Design Exchange.

DWR will showcase a selection of products that includes outdoor furniture, bedroom and workspace designs, seating, lighting, rugs and other modern items for the home or office. DWI carries the fully licensed classics of modern legends Charles and Ray Eames, George Nelson, Isamu Noguchi, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and other iconic masters, as well as the work of contemporary designers such as Niels Bendtsen, Jeffrey Bernett, Angela Adams and Marcel Wanders.
435 King Street West. 416.977.4003
http://www.dwr.com/toronto

Product Design and Development: A Canadian Manufacturing Perspective

Design Exchange, Industry Canada and Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters released new research that benchmarks Canada’s PD&D activities across sectors against American competitors, and compares the use of design between Best in Class (BIC) enterprises and laggards. Key performance indicators, such as percentage of revenue from new and improved products, and time to market also show how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) compare to larger firms. Sectors include computer and electronics, aerospace, automotive, clothing, textiles, retail and furniture.

For the full report findings, visit: www.dx.org

DX Studio is Open for Business!

Thanks again to our generous in-kind sponsors who helped us turn the studio space into a fabulous high profile part of the main floor lobby. New flooring went down last month and the project is complete! This space is used for DX programming, but is also available for use as a venue by outside organizations for meetings, workshops, product launches etc.

Upstairs in our Patty Watt room, we have brand new Karsten carpet tile and Lees modular flooring our 4th floor provided by Mohawk Flooring. We are pleased to showcase these excellent products here at the Design Exchange.

All of these sponsors are recognized with signage in the respective rooms and on plasma screens in the main lobby.

Special Events
Book your next special event at the Design Exchange!
This historic site makes a unique venue for events both large and small. Proceeds from Special Events support DX programming.

Shop DX Now Open
Need a gift for a client, employee or mother-in-law? Show your support for the Canadian design industry by shopping at our kiosk in the DX lobby.  The DX staff has selected a small collection of lovely items designed by local talent.

Elemente joins DX  - Part of your DX Membership Offering!
Elemente magazine is now available as a subscription offer to DX Members.
Learn more about Elemente by visiting www.elementemag.com

Humanscale News

Online news outlet TreeHugger.com has commended Humanscale’s use of recycled materials in its products. With a position that "products touting ‘recyclable’ materials are eco-poseurs, unless those materials are also already recycled," writer Warren McLaren says manufacturers like Humanscale have “closed the loop. They truly recycled. The Liberty Side chair is a great example of Humanscale’s environmental commitment. Containing 85% recycled content, Liberty proves that true sustainability doesn’t have to compromise form or function.

Introducing Emil Design Studio Emil Design Studio is a Toronto based company founded by award-winning Industrial Designer, Emil Ragusila, and Mechanical Engineer, Nicoleta Ragusila. For eight years, they ran a highly successful business in Romania, manufacturing upscale furniture for clients such as Hilton and Marriott Hotels, "Ion Tiriac", a private airport in Bucharest, and private residences. In 2002 they moved to Canada and recently launched three collections of tables at IDS 08.   Tables are made of exquisite materials, are hand-finished, numbered, and signed. The limited series can be customized in a variety of finishes and sizes to fit into today's homes and condominiums. The works are proudly made in Canada, in an environmentally sensitive manner, using sustainable materials where possible and eco-friendly finishes. Visit www.emildesignstudio.com

Bunch Family Salon

DX Partners with the Bunch Salon - April 12th, 2pm - 5pm. Bunch Family Salon '08, is an afternoon of art, music and ideas for the kidtelligentsia and their parents. Part of the days events include Designing and building a Salon sized city with the Design Exchange.  No hard hats required - just a load of recycled materials, some tape and your imagination.

Visit www.bunchfamily.ca for event details.

RGD EVENTS:

May 7, 2008 Workshop: Adobe Flash for Designers
Get ‘all you’ll need’ to design interactive for web 2.0 at this half-day workshop organized by RGD Ontario taking place at George Brown College, St. James Campus. $15 (free for RGD members)

May 9, 2008 Workshop: Gourmet Typography
Take control of your type instead of letting it control you! RGD presents this full-day master class in Toronto (downtown location tbd), geared towards design professionals and type enthusiasts of all skill levels. This session focuses on learning and applying the typographic skills and aesthetics rarely taught in schools, or fully understood by professionals. RGD and DX Members: $300; Non-members: $350

May 26, 2008 Lecture: Why Are There 284 Holes In My New Shoes?
Speaking on behalf of RGD, VP Bob Hambly presents the lively stories behind the unusual and often functionless design details found in everyday objects. He will provide insight into their origins and purpose, how these details have evolved and why they remain part of the design vernacular – even though they have often lost their original function. Bob is a founding partner and creative director of Hambly & Woolley Inc., a multidisciplinary graphic design firm based in Toronto. This lecture takes place in the Eaton Lecture Theatre at the Rogers Communications Centre, 80 Gould St in Toronto.

RGD and DX Members: $10; Non-Members: $15

For more info on these RGD Events:
1.888.274.3668 x 24
events@rgdontario.com
www.rgdontario.com

Corporate Design Foundation announces:
@ issue business and design conference
29th of April, New York visit their site for more information!
http://www.cdf.org/

OCAD News

A $9 million investment announced in yesterday’s Ontario budget will accelerate the Ontario College of Art & Design’s (OCAD) leadership in digital design and media research and innovation.  Funding is part of a $19 million investment from the Ministry of Research and Innovation to encourage skills development and research capabilities in digital media. OCAD’s share will help to establish a research and innovation laboratory in interactive design and digital media. The new facility will eventually be integrated into a planned Centre for Research & Graduate Studies.

Design workshops at Boisbuchet  May - September 2008

For the 12th year in a row, Vitra Design Museum is organising design workshops in cooperation with its French partner CIRECA. From May through September 2008, a series of interdisciplinary workshops will be available at Domaine de Boisbuchet in Midwestern France. Workshops on fabrics, porcelain, cardboard, biopolymers and glass; it will be possible to create toys, to design luminaries, to interact with natural elements in a design process and to get back to basics!

For more detailed information on the workshop programme 2008 and to enrol, please visit:  www.boisbuchet.org

http://www.physics.utoronto.ca/alumni-and-friends/public-events/

Job Opportunities

Casting Call for HGTV

Ottawa-based Mountain Road Productions is looking for an on-camera interior designer & assistant to help redesign vacation properties for a new series in development for HGTV called:Vacation Renovation

Working with a carpenter, the design team will remodel different recreational homes in each episode. Posing as a group of vacationers looking for a quiet week of R & R, the team will secretly redesign the cottage, chalet, or cabin they are renting – revealing the big surprise to the owner when they check out.

Interested? Contact Renée de Sousa at: 613. 237.4447 or by email at renee@mountainroad.ca
Deadline for submissions is April 16th 2008.

AyA Kitchens
AyA Kitchens is seeking talented and motivates Kitchen Designers/Sales Representatives to work in their Mississauga (Queensway & Dixie) and/or Vaughn (Hwys 400 & 7) showroom. AyA Kitchen Designers/Sales Representatives develop cabinetry solutions for clients ranging from individual home owners to multi-national builders. AyA Kitchens and Baths is state of the art manufacturer of high quality, frameless cabinetry. By combining old world craftsmanship and attention to detail with high tech manufacturing processes AyA offers innovative, quality cabinetry at competitive, manufacturer direct prices. www.AyAkitchens.com

New On The DX Website
POST YOUR JOBS ON-LINE WITH THE DX!

If you are looking for good designers or looking for a great place to work in the design industry, keep your eyes on “Careers in Design” on our website.
Postings run for one month at $150 and include a listing in this newsletter that includes a link. Contact Claudine with submissions at Claudine@dx.org or 416.216.2143

http://www.dx.org/whats_on/community.html

Pet Peeve

Volunteer Your Time And Learn About Design!
The DX has programs, lectures and many activities for the public, and we need your help! We are always looking for new people to join our volunteer corps. Whether it′s working on an event, graphic or web design, or assisting in our admin. office, you can be sure your time and help will make a difference! Your energy and imagination will help us deliver our programs! Find out how to register call Daniela Mason at 416 216 2160 or daniela.mason@dx.org

Suppliers And Vendors, Contribute In-kind To The DX!
Calling all design suppliers! The DX is looking for suppliers and vendors to help keep our facility on the leading edge of interior design. If you have products that you would like to showcase, we can help each other! We are always looking to update our areas with the newest products - carpeting, flooring, paint, lighting, equipment, furniture, signage, etc. Over 250,000 people see our spaces each year so this is a great opportunity for you. As well, we can promote you via this Express newsletter and on our website. If you are interested, please don't hesitate to call Claudine @ 416.216.2134.

The Design Exchange is a charitable organization registered with Revenue Canada (Charitable no. 119236214 RR0001).We receive no annual operating grants and rely on the support of individuals and corporate partners to help keep our doors open. Please give generously.

The Design Exchange is a proud member of Imagine Canada, the national charity that delivers research-based products and services to strengthen and promote Canada's community nonprofit sector.