Dear Members and Friends,

Dear Members and Friends,

It's time to become Nationalists.  As a nation, we export 80% of our goods to the US and we are dependent upon them to sustain our economy.   In the shadow of the US economic slowdown, many of our manufacturers and designers are feeling the slow-down and the accompanying economic crunch.  As Nationalists, it is up to us to help support our own.  As designers, we have the power to help each other and our manufacturing community.  Many of you have the opportunity to specify products, finishes and fixtures that are designed and produced in Canada.  Buying Canadian is important.  Not only does it sustain jobs, but it gives us a persistent visual national identity.  However, beyond cost containment, creative financing, and continuous improvements, manufacturers must produce products that are innovative and design-led.   If you are a struggling manufacturer, consider the power of design to help sustain your business - and if you follow the market, consider leading it for a change.  The risk may be greater, but the reward will be more.  Nationalism.  Nation-Building.  It's up to us.

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.

Wine & Cheese
Lunchtime Opening and Curatorial Lecture - March 7 at 1pm
Free Admission

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.

Go Fly a Kite
March Break Camp
March 10-14

Dragons, lions and kites feature prominently in this five-day camp, which will look at contemporary Chinese design.  Projects will include paper kites and lanterns, a group lion dance challenge and a special guest to teach participants the game of Mahjong, followed by the design of participant’s own board games.

For more information, please contact Katie Weber at 416.216.2138 or katie@dx.org.

DX Business Forum
March 4 2008

Design Exchange launches the DX Business Forum: Integrating the Design Process. Manufacturers, designers, and business managers will come together to discuss and share step-by-step processes that boost innovation in Canadian enterprises. This forum will focus on the integration of innovation in business plans and supply chains and team management. 

Keynote Presentation
Product Design and Development: Presentation of findings
Francesco Del Bianco and Eric Madueno, Industry Canada

Visit www.dx.org for more information and full schedule of events
Click here for registration form

For registration information contact Catherine at 416.216.2120 or Catherine@dx.org

digifest

March 28 – Harbourfront Centre
March 29 – Design Exchange
March 30 – Ontario Science Centre

DX forum keynote speakers include Thomas Homer-Dixon, author of The Upside of Down: Catastrophe, Creativity, and the Renewal of Civilization, artist A.A. Bronson and CEO of the David Suzuki Foundation, Peter Robinson.

This year’s digifest examines catastrophe and its aftermath – a mix of powerlessness and opportunity. Water’s EDGE is made up of performances at Harbourfront, a one-day forum at the DX curated by Robin Uchida, and workshops at the Ontario Science Centre, all dedicated to unraveling these tensions toward a better understanding of how catastrophe touches each of our lives.

Visit www.dx.org

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

Design Within Reach (DWR) will host a public grand opening event from 6 – 9pm on Thursday, March 13, which will kick off a week of support for the Design Exchange. 10% of Toronto sales from March 13- 19th will be donated to the DX.

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

NEWS

Could your company benefit from a boost in creativity?
Professional Development Workshops at the DX 

http://www.dx.org/education/workshops.html

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.

DX Welcomes Sico Paints!

Sico Inc., is a leader of the Canadian architectural paint industry and supplier of value-added metal coatings intended for the global transportation industry. Sico produces numerous products: paints, stains, varnishes, protectors, caulking compounds, preparation and maintenance products under trademarks that include— Sico, Crown Diamond, Mulco, Betonel, Para, Corrostop Ultra, Formula, Polyprep, Maxithane, Crystalex, and Sikkens.

Always listening to their customers, Sico offers stimulating tools like  the Sico Trends 2008,  the General Specifications Binder, the Sico's notebook, etc. all available at www.sicopro.ca . You can stay up to date by subscribing to their electronic newsletter.

Osram Sylvania Ltd News

A new year brings a new calendar of  lighting courses at LIGHTPOINT Canada.  OSRAM SYLVANIA LTD. is committed to providing the highest quality of  lighting education by offering courses designed to deliver pertinent information in an atmosphere conducive to learning.  The course instructors are experienced lighting professionals who bring with them years of product and industry knowledge. 

The new brochure attached outlines the wide range of courses being offered.  The information is also posted on our web site and registration can be completed online at  http://www.sylvania.com/LearnLighting/LIGHTPOINT/LIGHTPOINTCanada/

Teknion News

Teknion received coveted Good Design Awards from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design for both their Marketplace™ worktable and Metrix® task chair. Marketplace is one of Teknion’s major new product introductions that address trends toward smaller workspaces, increased collaboration and a new generation of office workers. Created by Carl Gustav Magnusson in conjunction with Teknion’s in-house design team. Conceived by Wolfgang Deisig, Metrix delivers all three requirements inherent in good office seating – it promotes movement, good posture and is easy to use.

Humanscale News

Humanscale’s latest design innovation is on display at the Museum of Modern Art. The Humanair Air Purifier, featuring noiseless and ozone-free operation, harnesses revolutionary new technology to create a Clean Air Zone free of harmful particles, including viruses, germs, allergens and pollutants. See it at MoMA’s Design and the Elastic Mind exhibition in New York City through May 12, 2008.

At OCAD

The Mobile Experience Lab at the Ontario College of Art & Design is hosting an open house for the professional design community as an opportunity to present the innovative research on cell phone experience done by the Portage research team. Experience design on cell phones means much more than screen interfaces and ring tones. Emerging location sensitive phones and two-way multimedia is positioning the mobile platform as the successor to the Internet. Participatory and social experiences will overtake game playing and storytelling.

The researchers on Portage are currently creating a virtual streetscape theatre in downtown Toronto. A range of interactive experiences will be knit together and accessible through the mediation of the cell phone.

Come and see some working prototypes and participate in a dialogue about the future of mobile design.

Thursday, March 13th, 2008  7:00 - 9:00 pm
52 McCaul Street, Floor 3  Free admission
Space is limited, please RSVP:

416-977-6000 x496 jziemianin@mdcn.ocad.ca  www.mobilelab.ca/portage

Fashion Designer Annie Thompson enters a new phase

Iconic fashion designer and artist Annie Thompson, is closing her Queen Street West storefront to focus on artistic endeavors.  Having succeeded for more than 25 years in fashion and retail, Ms Thompson is looking forward to working on several Canadian and international solo and collaborative arts and fashion events. Annie has several art–based projects lined up. She will be represented at the upcoming Toronto Art Expo in March by Carriage House Gallery, where she will later demonstrate her diversity in a solo show in October. The DX wishes Annie all the best in these new endeavors!

Designers Walk

A new era is beginning for Designers Walk. We have now expanded our Resource Centre and will be offering new services for design professionals, which include meeting rooms to hold client meetings and a lounge area to take a break and regroup after a day of sourcing. For designers we offer a safe haven from those hard to please clients offering you an area to stretch out those samples, color swatches, and sketch books. http://www.designerswalk.com/news/

Cdot Design Pioneers

An upcoming event to recognize the local veteran designers who helped shape our profession. Each of them will be awarded honourary Cdot memberships and their early work will be exhibited. Details to be posted at: http://www.communicationdesigners.org

Sculpture Show

Roger Golden, has been working with a new, Canadian, cement-like material called Winterstone, to create lightweight but durable sculptures. He has pioneered some innovative techniques for working with Winterstone that may have even broader applications for designers.

For more information on Sculptiure Show download invitation here.

Book Release

Writer and graphic designer Chip Kidd publishes a new book with Simon & Shuster. THE LEARNERS: “Beautifully composed paen to pre-computer graphic design… Kidd’s ebullience and generosity in unpacking the art and practice of graphic design carry the novel" Publishers Weekly.

http://www.simonsays.com/content/destination.cfm?tab=25&pid=360663

Mobile City

Mayor David Miller with Toronto City Council, In conjunction with the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Toronto, Toronto Culture and Economic Development and the City and Province of Milan invite you to the launch of The Mobile City Project-Toronto/Milan
Thursday, March 6, 2008  5:30pm  Remarks: 6:15pm at Rotunda Toronto City Hall 100 Queen St. W. RSVP by Tuesday, March 4 to: 416.392.7667or protocol@toronto.ca

The Mobile City Project engages youth in community building through photography in the twin Cities of Toronto and Milan. By sharing international digital photography ten winners from both cities will travel to their twin city to exhibit and publish their photographs.  http://www.mobilecityphoto.org/

Job Opportunities

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.

Feature Factory Design / Build
Experienced Architectural Designers and Project Managers

Feature Factory Design / Build, an award-winning Toronto-based ultra-custom architectural fabricator is continuing to expand its design and project management departments. Recent work-load includes challenging projects in the US, Asia and Canada. More information can be found at www.fefa.com full job description is available on the DX Careers in Design page:

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

Douglas Design Studio
Architectural Technologist
Douglas Design Studio has a position for an architectural technologist with a good sense of humor who is looking to work for an upbeat, dynamic studio that creates unique and beautiful interiors for high-end homes.  Must be highly proficient in AutoCAD.  For more information please email us at info@douglasdesignstudio.com

Allsteel
Architect & Design Specialist
A & D Specialist works within the A & D community, in a geographically assigned area (and working within the Company policies and procedures). An A & D Specialist is responsible for developing/enhancing positive perceptions of and familiarity with our brand and our offerings; and providing consultative support (product application and process navigation) for project activities to A & D, end users and our internal team.
Visit the DX Careers in Design page for full details http://www.dx.org/whats_on/community.html

VOLUNTEER PROJECT AT DESIGN EXCHANGE
Have strong graphic and web skills? Looking for an opportunity to gain valuable work experience?
Why not make new contacts and help out our non-profit organization!
The DX is looking for two volunteers to help on a web-based project.
Please send your resume to the attention of Daniela.mason@dx.org if you are interested in lending a hand and building your portfolio!

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.