Berkshire Creative announces the launch of a new initiative that connects Berkshire manufacturers and businesses to the rich talent pool of local designers, engineers, and creative workers with the aim of stimulating innovative research and development for existing and/or new product lines!
HOW IT WORKS
Berkshire Creative partners with a local business to define the nature, format and criteria of a Berkshire Creative Challenge. This can be anything from the re-visioning of existing products, generating new ideas and concepts for existing production methods, to introducing a brand new product line!
HISTORY
The Creative Challenge was born from “Design It Here, Make It Here”; an initiative outlined in the 2007 Berkshire Creative Economy Report, which suggested developing a campaign to explore the interest in and capacity for manufacturers in the county to take on the production of “creative products.” The report identified that, “Likely candidates would be those companies that manufacture plastics, metal, fabrics, and wood products, as well as those involved in printing.”
INTERPRINT’S CREATIVE CHALLENGE
Interprint, Inc. of Pittsfield, a leading designer and printer of decor paper used as the design layer in laminate surfaces such as countertops, flooring, furniture, store fixtures and a host of other applications, will host the first Creative Challenge.
Interprint’s Creative Challenge to local creatives is to create and submit one or more repeatable patterns, appropriate for any of the above applications. Patterns may be submitted at any level of completion, from conceptual, to ‘camera-ready’, and in any media, from traditional to electronic.
If Interprint decides to further develop any submission(s), it will purchase the creation at a market rate, usually between $1000 and $2000. The market rate is dependent on the expected marketability of a pattern as determined by Interprint.
Judy Wolgast, Design Director at Interprint states, “We’re thrilled to host the first Creative Challenge of Berkshire County. We know how much raw creative talent exists locally and we cannot wait to have new product ideas generated.”
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
Click here to download the Interprint Creative Challenge Application!
Applicants of all creative disciplines are invited to apply: designers, engineers, artists, etc. Please return completed applications via email to info@berkshirecreative.org.
- Application Deadline: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2009
- Applicants will be reviewed by Interprint and selected participants will be announced FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2009.
WHAT IF I AM CHOSEN?
Accepted applicants convene for a site visit, where they will be briefed on all aspects of the business’s products, processes, and information needed to address the company’s Creative Challenge. Then the creativity begins!
HOW DO I PRESENT MY IDEAS?
After the site visit, participants will submit solutions to the Creative Challenge. Proposals will then be reviewed by Interprint’s design staff for possible development. If Interprint decides to further develop any submissions, it will purchase the creation.
“This program features and connects Berkshire creativity at it finest, designing it here and making it here, with the goal of new revenue streams for each of the parties”, says Helena Fruscio, Director of Berkshire Creative.
INTERESTED IN HOSTING A CREATIVE CHALLENGE AT YOUR BUSINESS?
This program is designed to connect Berkshire manufacturers and businesses to the rich creative talent pool of the Berkshires, so more Berkshire products may be designed here and made here!
Companies interested in hosting a Creative Challenge should contact Helena Fruscio, Director of Berkshire Creative by phone at 413.822.8324 or email at helena.fruscio@berkshirecreative.org.
