Contributing to culture

"Design in art, is a recognition of the relation between various things, various elements in the creative flux. You can't invent a design. You recognise it, in the fourth dimension. That is, with your blood and your bones, as well as with your eyes." – D.H Lawrence

Seven days and thirty events. In short, it will be a week for the designers. August 3 – 10 will see the inaugural launch of an annual event hosted by the Academy of Design(AOD). Design Week 2008, apart from the world of fashion, focuses on all aspects of design – Fashion and Textile Design, Interior and Exhibition Design, Graphic Design, Jewellery Design, and Introductory Fine Arts Workshops.

"It strives to bring Design to the forefront of the expanding world of art and Design in Sri Lanka," enthused Ms. Diana Criswell, the head of the AOD. "The purpose of Design Week is to highlight the important contribution which good design makes to the cultural and economic life of Sri Lanka through fostering a reputation for creative excellence and innovation. The aim is to focus attention on a selection of design activity through Sri Lanka and also highlight the work of young designers."

Established in 2000, the Academy of Design is the first fully integrated design school in Sri Lanka. It offers internationally recognized undergraduate qualifications in Fashion, Interior, Graphic, Multimedia and Jewellery Design. Since its inception, the academy has grown in size and scope, and beginning in 2009, will offer a full four year, internationally recognized Bachelors Degree program. It is the vision of AOD for the Design Week to not only launch the visibility of its graduating alumni, but further, to promote the field of Design as a whole within Sri Lanka.

The highlight of the week will be an exhibition of designs by the students of the academy, and there will also be s series of lectures and workshops conducted by lecturers from within the academy as well as without.

The event will also be graced by renowned designer Zandra Rhodes who will be the guest of honour. Organized with the intention of promoting awareness and interest in the field of design, the week comprises of 30 events conferences, introductory and advanced technical workshops, open exhibitions, and forums focused contemporary topics in the design industry. The content of these activities will be designed to touch on multiple areas and disciplines of design, and will be targeted at both professionals and non-professionals.

"We have been working with many different people in the field, and we feel that the response we have had so far has been great!" says Diana. "There is already a great deal of interest in the field, but we could always do with some more." she adds.

AOD Design week will work in partnership with the following organizations and representative bodies: British Council, Alliance Francaise, Goethe Institut, and Barefoot Gallery.