Design of the times 2007
The Design Council chose North East England to host the first ‘Designs of the time’ (Dott) initiative in 2007, in partnership with One NorthEast. This was known as ‘Dott07’.
Dott07 will operate until 31 March 2008.
Dott07 was launched in the historic surroundings of the refurbished Robert Stephenson Centre, at Newcastle University, which will be the North East base for the initiative. The Centre was home to Robert Stephenson’s engineering works. It is famous as the birthplace of locomotives such as the Rocket and the box girders that revolutionised bridge-building around the world. This made it a fitting focal point for an initiative celebrating good design.
There were opportunities for designers, businesses and public service providers to engage with North East people, by showcasing and educating them about design, so they saw how it would help to improve the region as a place to do business, live, work, study and visit.
The programme had three distinct elements: public design commissions, an education programme, and a showcase of events. An independent management company, working with One NorthEast and the Design Council, delivered Dott07.
“Design has been central to every major economic wave in the UK from the industrial revolution to post-war rebuilding. The importance of design has
never been greater than it is right now – to business, to education and, most importantly, to people’s lives – and we all have a part to play," says David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council.
“North East England has already proven its commitment to using design to create a more dynamic regional economy. Leading the way with a series of bold and innovative initiatives in business, technology and education, the region’s plans for long-term investment and thriving cultural programmes made it the ideal choice to host the very first national design promotion – the very first Dott in 2007”.
Design in North East England
The North East has a strong heritage around design and innovation. NewcastleGateshead Quayside is now one of the biggest cultural and leisure quarters in Europe. It is home to three of the region's most familiar landmarks: Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Lord Foster's Sage Gateshead and the award-winning Millennium Bridge.
Anthony Gormley's Angel of the North, the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, the Alnwick Garden and the Tees Barrage at Stockton-on-Tees are just a few of the other internationally-renowned landmarks in the North East. Local enthusiasm ensures the success of regional events.
This is a region transformed, but it is not something that has happened overnight. The transformation at Gateshead Quays has taken more than 20 years. It is the result of perseverance, of great vision, and of some very brave decisions. But perhaps what it best illustrates is this region's attitude towards, and commitment to, change.
"We have a vision that North East England will establish itself as an internationally renowned design destination," says Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of One North East. "We want to be recognised as a region where it is easy to turn ideas into business success, where innovation is unlocked, aspirations stimulated and productivity raised."
With a large number of initiatives already in place, North East England has proven its commitment to using design to support innovation. This is only the beginning. Having recognised the importance of using design to connect science and technology to initiatives that impact on the quality of life, One NorthEast now invests over £30million a year in this field.
"Creativity is not confined to our cultural policy but is already embedded in our wider regeneration policy, enabling us to promote and nurture creativity in diverse communities and environments, from science to education," added Clarke. A point exemplified by the forthcoming Design Centre for the North, a major international hub that will focus on unlocking innovation through the interface between science, technology and design.
Visit the Design of the Times (Dott07) website.
