Had a great meeting yesterday with colleague Heads of Departments and the Board of the Design Academy Eindhoven. All about startegy for the coming years. The institute is well renowned for its man central curriculum, but it can't afford to be slowed down by appraisal. There's too much going on in the world today, in which design can play an informative, inspiring and innovative role (here I go again, my business mantra so to speak). The academy has to re-invent itself, renew without loosing the current strength. In my point of view it has to develop from a House of Concepts (is also the title of the book that describes its 60 years history) to a Community of Content, Concept and Context. That trains for design thinking as well as design doing, for creating services as well as creating products.Former director Lidewij Edelkoort did a splendid job putting the academy on the world map, but it's now up to new directors Anne Mieke Eggenkamp and Alexander van Slobbe to put the students on the world map. Not only as cultural artists, but also as creative entrepreneurs and social thoughtleaders. Of course, with all the Heads of Departments to support them.
Dear Walter, Yes indeed we had a very inspiring day yesterday. You opened my eyes (and mind) for using all kinds of different communication channels ourselves as creative leaders of Design Academy Eindhoven. Exploring new ways to enlarge the social relevance for the world within and the world outside the academy.
The sound of your three 'i' mantra did resonate. thank you for that!
Posted by: Anne Mieke Eggenkamp, chairwoman DAE | 12/06/2009 at 09:56 PM