PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Members and Friends,

Thanks for making our annual fundraising event, the Black and White Gala -
" In Steel Blue" an enormous success. Not only did we have a great time, we raised money for our youth education programs! Special thanks to those of you who bought ten tickets or more. Your support for the DX is valued.

This past weekend, I had the special treat of being a part of 'Future Vision', The Council for Interior Design Accreditation's summit of thought leaders from interior design practice, education, industry and related areas. We considered trend information and determined implications for interior design education. Social, economic and political trends were discussed - as well as trends by market sector. We considered the vast amount of information and prioritized our thoughts for the council. And while the group's thoughts are being formalized, I want to share my thoughts with you.

I believe that the increasing importance of the 'Triple Bottom Line' will drastically underscore decision making in business - all design disciplines included. Measuring results against the Social, Economic and Environmental impact will foster innovation. What will it take for a new generation of designers? Research Skills, Leadership Capability and Critical Thinking with a core strength of the Design Process and a healthy dose of Ethics will be the most important traits graduating designers possess. These traits are applicable to all design disciplines and inter-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary collaboration will be the key to solving complex problems.

While many schools still operate in silos, I encourage our educators to abandon their comfort level, raise their eyes toward the future horizon and embrace practices that will truly prepare our students for an innovative economy.

I hope you join us on November 23rd, for our annual celebration of design excellence, the Design Exchange Awards. The Design Exchange Awards promote Canadian design excellence and recognizes the critical role of design in all types of organizations including commercial entities (large and small businesses), not-for-profit organizations, and the public sector. The awards celebrate the success stories achieved through close partnerships between clients and designers. Support the Canadian design community and join us for a terrific evening.

Sam

CURATOR'S CHAT

On the evening of Saturday the 4th of November in a somewhat nondescript store front on Dundas Street in downtown Toronto (a store front with the yellow and red plastic signage from the previous tenant still in place on a stretch of road where the dominant language is Portuguese), several hundred people gathered for the opening of a new enterprise called MADE. A commercial, aesthetic and cultural venture dedicated to the promotion of Canadian design, MADE is a decidedly new type of design shop-cum-gallery. Formed in 2005, MADE began as a creative collaboration between Julie Nicholson and Shaun Moore. Linked by what they describe as “a common passion for thoughtful and innovative design,” MADE’s founders decided as they have noted, “to create an environment to develop their own designs, to provide a forum for creative individuals and to showcase inspired objects.”

MADE’s mission (and it is obviously and earnestly a mission) is to promote the work of Canadian artisans, designers and craftspeople in a new way. Indeed, no ordinary design store, and by this I mean the predictable, highly-stylized and oft-precious emporia that seem to define such enterprises (think, for a moment, of Murray Moss’s stunning but fetishistic temple to design chic located on Manhattan’s Greene Street) MADE takes a radically different tack.

Located in what had previously been an old Chinese Herb store on Dundas Street just west of Bathurst, MADE – with its mix of design from the avant-garde and the folksy schools of creativity – seems right at home amidst the Mom and Pop groceries, the hardware stores and the other small businesses that so define this and other Toronto neighborhoods. That a Tim Horton’s sits close by (not to mention a hospital) is somehow both comforting and appropriate. Indeed, by deciding to put MADE where it is and to make it both a friendly and accessible store and one that so clearly takes seriously the curatorial responsibilities of bringing new Canadian design to the people, so Nicholson and Moore have created a highly original enterprise. Moreover, in seeking to educate the public about the importance of designers and design as cultural producers and products, so MADE operates as a type of pedagogical exercise in aesthetics, creativity and nationalism. Add to this that the assortment of objects includes handcrafted wood furniture, accessories for the dining table and an electrified chandelier made out of antlers that, while recalling Balmoral and Victorian ideas of domesticity, seems absolutely current and intensely Canadian, MADE suceeds in a very serious but openly quirky way to proclaim the importance of design in the life of a nation and the importance of beauty and whimsy in everyday life.

In these ways, the opening of MADE is both timely and necessary. It is timely because there does seem to be a type of renewed interest in the sincere exploration of Canadian identity and its diverse manifestations. It is necessary because Canadian design – diverse, distinct, and important -- is too often situated beyond the reach, the comfort zone and the ambit – of every day folks. Whether profiled in the glossy pages of shelter magazines, resting on plinths at design and trade shows or displayed in well-lit vitrines in galleries and museum shops, design – and here I include the handmade as well as mass-produced domestic goods – should be about the improvement of life. And while this may sound both simplistic and grandiose, the truth is that given the generally cheap quality, stylistic vacuousness and ultimate soullessness of so many contemporary consumer products there exists something pleasing, and noble in the idea that ordinary and extraordinary things – design – can be made in the spirit of saying something new and significant about material and function and then sold in a rather ordinary storefront on a comfortable but unremarkable block in downtown Toronto is a significant achievement.

Thus, MADE’s debut is about much more than a commercial venture to sell Canadian design. In showing the work of such highly original designers as Castor Canadensis, the Dressler brothers, and Loyal Loot Collective, to name but a few, MADE has taken on the considerable responsibility of documenting and disseminating information about design in Canada. For while many of the objects in MADE are hand crafted or single pieces and while many speak directly to or engage with issues of identity – and to be sure happy stereotypical imagery abounds – the fact remains that the work of the designers assembled constitutes an eloquent conversation about the capacity of design and craft to operate as articulations of a place or nation’s history, sensibility and character. And this is something to note.

MADE is located at 867 Dundas Street West, Toronto
www.madedesign.ca

Michael J. Prokopow Ph. D.
Curator

Milano Made in Design An exhibition of contemporary design from Milan Closes November 12 THIRD FLOOR, MAIN EXHIBIT HALL Milan is home to some of the world’s best design at work today. This exhibit was created to celebrate the fusion of design creativity and manufacturing that is unique to the region. Milan’s longstanding design culture has proved a competitive advantage to local producers. MILANO MADE IN DESIGN embraces various design disciplines including fashion, automotive, lighting, furniture and product design. One of the most extraordinary exhibits in DX history. "Dizzingly intriguing" - Globe & Mail Presented in Toronto in collaboration with the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Toronto. For full exhibition information visit Milano Made in Design online Exhibit hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5 pm, Sat/Sun: 12-5 pm Admission: $5 general admission $4 students/seniors Free to DX Members. To book a school tour contact School Tours

NOW ON DISPLAY AT THE DESIGN EXCHANGE Canada in the Making This new exhibition features the DX's own Permanent Collection, and showcases the most important Canadian developments in modern design history. Free admission Located on the Ground Floor of DX.

You missed this year's DX Black and White Gala in Steel Blue? You missed a blast! The DX was bumping and jumping with God Made Me Funky - guest appearance by Teknion Canada's Frank Delfino (seen at left). Tasty catering, blue beverages courtesy of Hpnotiq and Skyy Vodka and the sinful antics of Skin Tight Outta Sight. The first ever Silent Auction was a huge hit, and the Vespa door prize was coveted by all. The DX thanks its Honorary Co-Chairs Michael Budman and Don Green, and its Gala Sponsors Audi Canada, TD Bank Financial Group and CEMUSA. (Photo courtesyJason Nip)

NEW MEMBER PRIZE WINNER!
The winner of the night at the Fairmont Royal York is Shawna Rossi of Cohn & Wolfe, one of many new members that joined recently. Congratulations Ms Rossi!
The Fairmont Royal York is the Official Hotel of the Design Exchange. Visit the hotel's official website at: Fairmont Royal York

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 the DX Volunteer Program and find out how to register - or send your information to Volunteer Coordinator Daniela Mason

IN FOCUS THIS MONTH
CORE ARCHITECTS
This month, the DX puts the spotlight on Core Architects, formed in 1994 by the founding partners, Babak Eslahjou, Charles Gane, and Deni Poletti. Recent residential projects include Seventy5 Portland with interiors by Philippe Starck, M5V at the corner of King West and Peter, and Luna in the Concord Adex City Place developments. Spanning every area of design, Core’s Cosmopolitan Hotel in downtown Toronto was recently chosen as one of the world’s hottest new hotels by Conde Nast Traveller, 2006. Since 2000 Core has broadened their portfolio to include areas outside of Toronto and have designed very successful residential and commercial buildings in Ottawa, Montréal, the United States, Turks & Caicos and in the Middle East. Their master plan and design work at Dubai Marina has set the stage for international success. Core has won many awards such as the prestigious International Interior Design Association Award and Canadian Interiors’ Best of Canada Award. For details about their projects visit Core Architects

8th Annual canstruction Event in Toronto 2006 canstruction exhibit running from November 17 - Decemeber 1st. Watch for this year's entries that will go on display throughout the DX and the TD Centre! canstruction® is an international event committed to ending hunger. Over the last 7 years, the Toronto event has contributed more than 232,000 pounds of food to The Daily Bread Food Bank. More than 175,000 people in the Greater Toronto Area used food relief programs. Did you know that 9, 000 babies and toddlers rely on food banks each and every month across the GTA? Daily Bread Food Bank is Toronto’s leader in the fight against hunger. You will be amazed by the structures made entirely from canned food, in a 10x10x8 space. The build takes place in the TD Centre complex where the structures remain on display to encourage the public to help end hunger – and to demonstrate the ingenuity of Toronto designers! The DX will carry out a Food Drive - bring your donation of canned food for the Daily Bread Food Bank. (pictured at left: 2005 Winner, Diamond Schmitt) November 16 Awards Presentation at the Design Exchange

burdifilek - Senior Level Interior Designer Required
Award winning interior design firm burdifilek requires a senior level interior designer to work in a fast paced office on high profile international projects. Ideal candidates are designers with a strong portfolio of work, fluent in a sophisticated design language with an excellent grasp of communication and time management. Resumes can be faxed to 416.703.8383 or emailed to burdifilek No Phone Calls Please.

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
Fairmont Royal York
Keilhauer
Steelcase

The Design Exchange would like to thank our Corporate Members for their support of our organization:
Allsteel Office
Osram Sylvania
PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
Summerlee Office Interiors

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.