Designers in Residence Kortrijk

Designregio Kortrijk is a platform for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship for the region Kortrijk. They organize projects that encourage creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, inspire with good practices and connect companies, designers, education and public space.
This year's theme is: 'Discover the Next Space'. Spaces that heal. In-store shows. Hospitality in hospitals.
Designregio Kortrijk invites 3 young designers to develop an experimental concept for the future of spaces, through confrontation between citizens, society, entrepreneurs and education in regions such as Kortrijk. The compactness of this region is both a benefit and a challenge.
During the Biennale Interieur from 23-27 October 2019 the Designers in Residence Kortrijk will get the opportunity to show their research and on-going progress to an international audience.

The outcome is an experimental project that enables transformation through confrontations between citizens, society, entrepreneurs and education in Kortrijk. The residency consists of research, process, experiment and making. Therefore, the designers are assisted with several design experts.

Designregio Kortrijk will be your host. The organisation is the platform for creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship for the Kortrijk region. They organize projects that encourage creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship, inspire with good practices and connect companies, designers, education and government.
They are a joint venture of 5 regional organisations, with whom you will work closely together. This will allow you as a designer to connect with the local community (city of Kortrijk), local producers and maker industry (Voka West-Flanders & Interieur Foundation), urban planners and developers (Leiedal) and innovative education (Howest). At the same time, the Buda Island is the focal point for a fascinating community of creative individuals, companies, cultural organizations, creative teaching as well as end-users. The aim is to connect with the local maker industry, largely embedded in the region and local producers in a contemporary way.

• The Budafabriek, Budalab Open Makerspace & Bolwerk Workspace are the inspirational locations in Kortrijk (Belgium) where you will create, work and live.
• The Kortrijk region (Belgium) is a strong player in the economically blooming largest European inter-regional Eurometropolis and can be exemplified by large companies such as Barco, Bekaert, Unilin, Vandewiele, as well as a large number of family owned SME’s with an international outlook such as Skyline, Delta Light, Renson, Casalis, Obumex, Curana and many more.
• University College HOWEST & their Industrial Design Center is an open knowledge center and a communication platform between the industry and the education, research and development programs of the Howest and Ghent University in Kortrijk. Digital Arts & Entertainment and Devine - Digital Design and Development are, amongst others, two of their state of the art education programs.