Dutch Design Week:
The Secrid Talent Podium
Every new product must be better than previous generations.
During Dutch Design Week (22 to 30 October 2022) we presented the Secrid Talent Podium. An exhibition with designs from 11 promising talents in the field of evolutionary product design. Together with the Dutch Design Foundation, we have taken the first steps towards a movement that brings together and supports designers with a sustainable, holistic view of design.
Such a movement fits into our philosophy of Industrial Evolution. The general guideline of this is simple: every new product must be better than the previous generations. To reinforce our philosophy, we invest 1% of our turnover in inspiring, connecting and supporting (young) designers.
The eleven talents that were shown on the Secrid Talent Podium received, in addition to coaching, a cash prize of €7,777.77 each. A reference to our 7 approaches to holistic product design.
The designers we put in the spotlight during DDW are:
Nienke Hoogvliet (Zeefier), Tom van Soest (Stonecycling), Merle Bergers (Lingua Planta), Simon Dogger (Emotion Whisperer), Don Kwaning (Medulla), Bas Timmer (Sheltersuit), Vivian Erdtsieck (Studio Viverdie), Occony (Peakchair), Alissa & Nienke (Elephunk Table top & Mirablia Felt Wall hanging), Ermi van Oers (Living Light), Mapu Speakers (winner What Design Can Do Challenge 2021).
Secrid Talent Podium LIVE
In the middle of the Dutch Design Week, we also presented a LIVE program for the new generation of sustainable product designers. This Talk was an extension of the Secrid Talent Podium. René van Geer shared our design philosophy and discussed a few design dilemmas that we have struggled with at Secrid in recent years and which sustainability choices this has led to.
Design dilemmas
Secrid is driven by creativity, interest in people and a holistic approach to sustainability. The business is built around one product – the Cardprotector. For 13 years, Secrid has been experimenting how this one product can become 'better, more sustainable and more valuable'.
As a result, Secrid's quality and longevity are now at an all-time high and it can still compete very well with the nearly 1,000 copies from China. Of course, in practice this process is not as simple as it seems, because product design presents you with complex issues. For example, Secrid does a lot of research into replacing leather with biomaterials. The lifespan of the alternatives has so far not matched that of animal leather, so which sustainable choice do you make?
Promising designers
By being transparent about design dilemmas, Secrid wants to inspire talent and invite them to think along. We are also curious about evolutionary ideas and designs around product design that are not directly related to improving a card protector. How do you want to contribute and how can we help each other to set an industrial evolution in motion?
Industry cannot be stopped, but it can be changed. It is time for a transition to Industrial Evolution.
Make It Circular Challenge
What Design Can Do (WDCD) shares the vision of Secrid and Dutch Design Foundation on the impact of design. This has led to a new collaboration. Together we invite new talent to participate in the Make it Circular Challenge, an initiative of WDCD.
Secrid is the global partner in the 'What We Buy' category. This includes all the consumer products we use every day, from furniture to toys, home cleaning products and cars. The challenge is to design circular systems in which these products can exist, while also investigating why we buy them in the first place. Initiatives focused on sharing, repairing, reusing and more are all welcome here.
The winners of the Make it Circular Challenge will receive an award package designed to take their projects to the next level. They will have access to a six-month development program with experts from the global Impact Hub network. Winning teams will also receive €10,000 to invest in their project and can count on valuable press and publicity through the channels of WDCD and all other partners.
You can read more in this design brief.
You can register for free until 11 January 2023 via the Challenge Platform.
Industrial Evolution
The way products are made and used is ready for drastic change. Since the industrial revolution and the relocation of factories to low-wage countries, the mass production of low-price, short-lived goods has become the norm. Today we know that the consequences of this are disastrous: the negative impact of our production and consumer behavior destroys nature, the earth and ourselves. The industry cannot be stopped, but it can be changed. It is time for a transition to the Industrial Evolution. The general guideline of this is simple: every new product must be better than the previous generations. An industry that contributes to a balanced planet and a sustainable society. Designers play a crucial role in this.