PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Dear Members and Friends,

Welcome to August. I couldn’t believe how hot Toronto was when we left Tuesday night – outbound toward Arkansas. As we progressed, it became more stifling. In fact, I was tempted to test the ‘fry an egg on the sidewalk’ theory at every stop. At present, I am writing you from Magnolia, Arkansas via Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Tennessee and Mississippi. I spent most of the 22 hour drive thinking of how much hotter it seemed than in recent memory and the potential threat of even hotter summers and our pressing energy crisis. And, I didn’t see one solar panel or wind turbine on the 2,400-mile drive.

As we drove past miles and miles of cornfields, a scant few were labeled ‘future bio-fuel,’ and I began to think of all things possible with ingenuity, science, economic strategy and design. In the southern states, where poverty outweighs riches, I could imagine all types of industry to bring prosperity to the area – other than ‘crystal meth labs’ and riverboat casinos. And although I know the economic history of the rural south, I am puzzled why in 2006 I see poverty akin to that of developing nations. While many people move to urban areas for a better life, many do not – it is the forgotten south - evident in the mass media production of New Orleans after the hurricane. New Orleans is but one example.

Problems of urban planning and affordable housing reign supreme – and make Canada’s cities and towns seem ultra sophisticated – and virtually problem free by comparison. Mobile homes dot the horizon and sit next to dilapidated farmhouses and barns. City centres are lost in tentacle-like strip malls anchored by gas stations. Main streets and town squares have been abandoned and Wal-Mart is the new air-conditioned city square. Large highways bypass small towns and they shrivel and die like unnecessary appendages.

We can learn a lot from the poor planning and poor economic forecasts in the US. Both have to be examined for successful planning and design and one cannot survive without the other. Urban planning and economic viability – and ultimately sustainable development, small or large scale requires a long-term strategy and clear vision for the future. I encourage you to write your ministers of economic development and industry and demand a strategy for your area. I wrote the Minister of Economic Development and Trade for Ontario, demanding a strategy, and have yet to receive an answer though I hold out hope.
Sam

DX Hours for August
Hours Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm
CLOSED ON WEEKENDS
Note: Our Main Exhibit Hall on Third Floor is closed for the summer

DX BOARD MEMBER PROFILE:
Morton Rapp has been a member of the board since 1990. As the DX Board Treasurer, Mr. Rapp has made a significant contribution of time and energy to ensure our financial health is improving. His expertise has proved effective in reducing our financial burden, and improving cash flow. Along with his work on behalf of the Design Exchange, he is committed to helping other organizations in the community such as support for the Power Plant, the Mount Sinai Hospital, the Art Gallery of Ontario and others. We are pleased and fortunate to have Mr. Rapp’s support as a volunteer member of our board.

DX at the EX!
Look for the DX Exhibit "Circa 1955-2005" at this year's CNE. The Circa 1955/2005 Design Exchange exhibit is free with CNE Admission. It is situated in the At Home Pavilion in the Direct Energy Centre's Hall A. It is open to the public 10 am to 10 pm daily, with the exception of Labour Day when it is open 10 am to 9 pm.
Dates: August 18 - September 4
General Admission is $12; Children 13 and under and Adults 60 and better are $8; Babes in Arms (2 years & under) are Free.Further information can be found at The EX .

DX Design Camps are SOLD OUT! Thanks to all the families who participated. Check back for our March Break Camps in 2007!

Supported once again by Audi Canada and TD Bank Financial Group.

BRANDING WORKSHOP AT DX
Registration Still Open
The Design Exchange is hosting a workshop on developing brand strategies for apparel sector professionals. The facilitator is Vanita Sharma, who has lengthy experience with corporate organizations in the fashion industry. Themes include branding strategies, elements of branding and interactive workshop development.
Date: Friday August 11
Time: 9am - 12 pm
Fee $15 for individuals, $10 for DX Members and students. This is aimed at fashion and apparel designers,graphic designers, crafts professionals and jewellery/accessories designers. To register phone: 416.363.6121 or DX Registration

WORKSHOP ON DESIGNING HEALTH CARE SPACES FOR KIDS
Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Time: 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Location: Bloorview Kids Rehab, Toronto
The Design Exchange, the Health Care, Technology & Place (HCTP) CIHR Strategic Research Training Program, University of Toronto, the Change Foundation and Bloorview Kids Rehab invite you to attend a workshop focused on Designing Health Care for Kids. This call is open to design professionals, researchers, community members and students who are interested in the design of children's health care centres and how they can benefit from visionary and socially inclusive schemes. Individuals working in the disciplines of architecture, interior design, health care research, and ambient technologies will present examples of their innovative work. Presented with real life case studies, participants will learn how universal design principles can be applied to new or existing products, communication tools or environments in an economically viable manner to design spaces for all children
Advance Registration: $20 (early registration is strongly encouraged – space is limited)
Registration Form: Universal design online
REGISTER Email:daniela.mason@dx.org For more information visit Universal Design online

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND LEARN ABOUT DESIGN!
The DX has programs, lectures and many activities for the public, and we are always looking for new people to join our volunteer corps. Your energy and imagination will help us deliver our programs! So visit DX Volunteer Program and find out how to register - or send your information to Volunteer Coordinator

MORE THAN CANADA'S DESIGN CENTRE
The Design Exchange can host any function from small intimate settings to grand scale events, any day of the week. Our largest room, the old Toronto Stock Exchange Trading Floor always draws a crowd because of its historical significance and unique Art Deco design. Located in the heart of downtown Toronto at Bay St. and King St., we are conveniently connected by the PATH as well as having underground parking facilities on site. Book your corporate or social event at the DX today! For more information Book the DX

IN FOCUS THIS MONTH --The Sandra Ainsley Gallery
LOCATION: The Distillery, 55 Mill St. Toronto, ON, M5A 3C4
Dates: 8 June – 12 August: Peter Powning Recent finalist for the Saidye Bronfman Award for Excellence, internationally award winning artist Peter Powning lives in the hills of southern New Brunswick. Creating both pedestal and large scale outdoor sculpture, his remarkable mixed media work - including bronze, stone, raku clay, glass, and various metals - is imbued with the qualities distilled from a life lived close to the shore.
Dates: 4 November – 6 January 2007: Australian GLASS 2006. Sandra Ainsley Gallery, collaborates with the Australian Trade Commission to present an exhibition of Australia’s most influential, evocative and internationally acclaimed glass artists. As the most complete representation of contemporary Australian glass ever to be exhibited in North America, Australian GLASS 2006 feature the country’s most renowned masters and most innovative newcomers.
Gallery Artists: Dale Chihuly, Jon Kuhn, Paul Stankard, Susan Edgerley, Martin Blank, Jenny Pohlman and Sabrina Knowles
Upcoming and Ongoing Exhibitions:
August 11: The Gallery will receive new wall and pedestal sculpture by Joseph Rossano
October 14 – November 04: Precious and Semi-precious Jewellery Show by Jaleh FarhadPour
Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-6, Sun 12 - 6
Tel: 416.214.9490 Fax: 416.214.9503 Contact Sandra Ainsley Gallery or visit Sandra Ainsley Gallery online

ARIDO Awards of Excellence 2006
Inspired by Good Works
Celebrating conscientious design, living and Good Works.
The ARIDO Awards of Excellence 2006 will pay tribute to the best in interior design and will feature special guest speaker Craig Kielburger, Founder of Free the Children, and Honourary MC Ray Staples, an ARIDO Life Member and President of ARIDO in 1974.Prepare to be inspired!
Location: Heritage Court, Direct Energy Centre
Date: Thursday, September 28, 2006.
Doors Open: 6 p.m. Dinner Served: 7 p.m.
Tickets:
$200 per person; Tables of 10 - $1950.
Early Bird Rate (Before September 15, 2006):
$150 per person; Tables of 10 - $1450.
To purchase tickets visit: IIDEX online
Please contact ARIDO at (416) 921-2127 ext. 226 for details.

The William Morris Society of Canada Lecture
Ivan Wise will speak at the Textile Museum of Canada, giving a lecture entitled "Shaw's Debt to Morris". Wise is a graduate in politics, philosophy and economics from Worcester College, Oxford. He is also publisher of "The Shavian", the Journal of the Shaw Society.
Location Textile Museum, 55 Centre Avenue (Dundas & University), Toronto
Date Wed August 23rd
Admission: Free

about, with & for 2006 – Call for Abstracts
East Bank Club, Chicago, IL
Dates: 6 – 7 October 2006
about, with & for is a collaborative forum hosted by the Institute of Design, Illinois Institute of Technology, to explore methods and address issues within design research. This conference attracts professionals and academics who are interested in developing insights into people’s behaviours, perceptions, and beliefs.
We invite you to submit an abstract to awf abstracts. To download the call for abstracts, click Call for Abstracts pdf
Deadline: 15 August 2006.
We look forward to seeing you in Chicago!
Jordan Fischer & Irene Chong
about, with & for Co-Chairs
visit About,With & For online
or contact: awf online

Call for Entries: The 11th International Bicycle Design Competition
The Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Center is organizing the 11th International Bicycle Design Competition (IBDC). There is no entry fee. Registration deadline: August 15 2006. Twenty-one finalists will be selected and notified by September 15, 2006. These twenty one submit their final work (a small-scale model) by December 20, 2006. Final results will be announced on March 24, 2007, the first day of the 2007 Taipei International Cycle Show. For full info visit http://design.runride.com Design Run Ride

Reflections of a Product Engineer By Lawrie McIntosh Just published - this book portrays the illustrious and successful product design career of Lawrie McIntosh, famed industrial designer of many Canadian icons. With illustrations and anecdotes, this volume reveals an unconventional design philosophy. Trafford Publishing Ph.(250)383-6864 Orders@trafford.com

DESIGN BUZZ FROM WINNIPEG By Sandra Sasaki
Industrial Design: When Winnipegger, Cindy Klassen won her five medals at the Olympics in Turin last year – the most medals won by a Canadian at one Olympics and, the most by a female speed skater at the games – she was wearing a VH skate boot designed by former Winnipegger, Scott Van Horne. His boots have also been worn by athletes who have won 200 World Cup medals.
The boots are the result of 10 years of research and start with biomedical adjustments made to a foot mold of the athlete’s feet. Every detail is scrutinized for optimal function – from the honeycombed aluminum mounting blocks to the strategically placed remoldable thermoplastic support.
Van Horne, a 20 year competitive speed skater himself, has a BSc and MSc in bio-mechanics. He designs speed skating boots, structured skin suits and has a prototype for a cycling pedal shoe in the works. Want to learn more? Check out Van Horne’s website at Van Horne onlinewww.vhfootwear.com
Contributed by Sandra Sasaki

The Design Exchange would like to thank the following partners for their support of our organization
City of Toronto Economic Development
Teknion Furniture Systems
Cadillac Fairview
Sony Canada
Fairmont Royal York
Keilhauer
Steelcase

The Design Exchange would like to thank our Corporate Members for their support of our organization:
Allsteel Office
Custom Business Interiors
Johnson Controls Inc.
SCI Interiors Ltd
Sleeman
Summerlee Office Interiors
The Office Source
Tri-Can
Tandus

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.