PR tools for design export
September 2010
New Finnish design will be on the pedestal in 2010, when Finnish design export events will take place in cities such as London, Tokyo and New York. Apart from being cultural events, they are important business opportunities for designers, putting their pitching and PR-skills to the test.
In order to support professional development for Finnish designers in international markets, Design Forum Finland in partnership with the Finnish Institute in London co-ordinated a design export pilot training for Finnish designers with upcoming exhibitions in London and Tokyo in 2010.
The pilot project started at the end of March in Helsinki with a one-day workshop, aiming to coach the participants to develop their PR and communication skills with the international media and customers in mind. During the day, the designers learnt how to create a story for their products and how to plan and execute a successful PR-campaign. Additionally the training involves personal coaching and feedback for the participant’s own PR-materials.
The second phase of the training takes place in London in June 2010, focusing on the features of the local design and media market in London. The training programme will continue later in an evaluation of international design export projects.
More information:
Design Forum Finland, Producer Laila Alanen,
laila.alanen@designforum.fi, tel +358 50 548 4114
The Finnish Institute, Head of PR Animaya Grant, animaya.grant(a)finnish-institute.org.uk, tel +44 (0)20 74043309
www.finnish-institute.org.uk
