Design Currency 2010 - 14 days to go!

13th April, 2010

Vancouver (Canada) - How is design shaping, and being shaped by, our global community? This will be the topic for the keynote session of Design Currency: Icograda Design Week in Vancouver, which kicks off the two-day international conference on 27 April 2010. The session is being presented with the support of the Vancouver Economic Development Commission (VEDC).

"We are delighted to partner with the VEDC to present this opening discussion," says Brenda Sanderson, Icograda's Managing Director. "Vancouver ranks consistently in Canada's Top 3 of cities for designers to work, as well as in the Top 3 cities with the largest workforce in design-related fields. It is home to some of Canada's leading design consultancies and education institutions."

Phil Heard, Chief Executive Officer added, "Vancouver attracts globally-oriented companies from all over the world, and the creative industries are a key sector for the city. Building strategic relationships and international partnerships through events like Design Currency 2010 enhances our ability to showcase and support the continued growth of Vancouver as a creative city."

The keynote session will feature four thought leaders on the value of design:

Helen Walters (United States) - is the editor of Innovation and Design at Bloomberg BusinessWeek. She is also a contributing editor to design magazine Creative Review. In February, she edited a special report, The Value of Design, for BusinessWeek, which looked at why design matters, its role in business and the value of design to startups, along with presenting an overview of the world's most influential designers.

Grégoire Serikoff (France) is an independent designer and facilitator based in Paris. He is a founding member of The Value Web and a member of the Accelerated Solutions Environment network. Design expert for the World Economic Forum, Grégoire has run multiple sessions at Davos since 2005. He is a Regional Ambassador of INDEX: Design to Improve Life and currently serves as the Secretary General of the Icograda Executive Board.

Freeman Lau (Hong Kong SAR) is a strategic advisor on the development of design policy and an internationally acclaimed designer through his own practice at Kan & Lau Design Consultants. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hong Kong Design Centre, which presents the annual Business of Design Week (BODW), one of Asia's leading events on design, innovation and brands. BODW aims to encourage businesses to unleash the power of design by focusing on the vital relationship and complex interplay between design and business.

Debbie Millman (United States) is President of the design division at Sterling Brands, working with global brands such as Pepsi, Procter & Gamble, Campbell's, Colgate, Nestle and Hasbro. She is AIGA President, serves as Chair of the Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and hosts "Design Matters with Debbie Millman."

The session will be moderated by Dave Mason, one of the founders of the Chicago/Vancouver-based SamataMason Inc. Along with being an internationally recognised designer, Mason also co-founded OpinionLab, Inc., the leader in web-based voice of customer intelligence systems.

From 26-30 April, Design Currency 2010 will bring together more than 500 international delegates. It is organised by the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada (GDC) in partnership with the International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda).

To register visit: http://www.designweekvancouver.ca/registration/index.php

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Plan your Design Week!

"14 days and counting! With very full days of inspiring presentations, we know that you will want to keep the energy going into the evening, so we've organised special events each night just for you.

Some events have limited seating - make sure you have your ticket - book today!

Dinner with a side of design
Choose from three intimate and interactive dinners. What does Cameron Sinclair have to say about sustainability? Ashwini Deshpande about how India sees the world? Helen Walters about innovation? Dinner with a Side of Design is your opportunity to engage with invited speakers, local leaders and designers in a collaborative conversation focused around the complex themes of sustainability, culture and economics - all over a special three course dinner.

Where: The Irish Heather - in the heart of historic Gastown.
When: 7:30-10:30pm, 25, 26, 28 April
Price: $75/delegate - incl. 3-course meal and drink
Limited seating: 30 tickets/evening.

Pick your theme:
Culture - Sunday, 25 April: Book your ticket
Sustainability - Monday, 26 April : Book your ticket
Economics - Wednesday, 28 April: Book your ticket

There's nothing like an Australian party!
Positive and forward-thinking, generous and optimistic, Brisbane is Australia's new world city... and in October 2010, the city will host Optimism: Icograda Design Week Brisbane. Dynamic and down-to-earth, Brisbane loves a celebration. Live performance by Australian artists '26'. Awesome venue. Fine Australian wines. International cuisine. Join us for the party!

Hosted by the Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA).

This event made possible through the generous support of Queensland Government, Brisbane Marketing, 26 and W2 Storyeum.

Where: W2 Storyeum, 151 West Cordova, Vancouver
When: Wednesday, 28 April, 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Graphex 2010 Awards celebration
Get your ticket for the Graphex 2010 Awards - a special red carpet event complete with cocktail reception, gourmet appetizers and hors d'oeuvres, awards show and lots of time to mingle and celebrate. This year's event will be the closing night party for Design Currency 2010.

Where: CANVAS Lounge, 99 Powell St, Vancouver
When: Thursday, 29 April, 7:00 pm - midnight
Price: $65 for delegates - Book your ticket