London offers France a lesson in design

Before the Christmas break Design London, a collaboration between the Royal College of Art (RCA) and Imperial College, hosted a delegation of senior decision makers from Northern France.

The aim of the visit was to develop closer ties with the UK and to learn about Design London.  Amongst the group were Pierre Mauroy, former French Prime-Minister, several former Ministers and top business people.  

 News of the collaboration between the Royal College of Arts and Imperial College’s business and engineering expertise piqued the interest of Lille’s Chamber of Commerce.  It wanted to meet the Design London team to understand how the project blends engineering, innovation and creative design with business teaching.  Like Design London, Lille’s decision maker’s are interested in how best to create the next generation of novel, complex products and services.

“Design London resonates with the recent history of their region,” said Nick.  “Lille regenerated its economy by building on the low-tech, traditional industrial roots of the area, for example textiles and transportation – specifically railways – and expanding into high-tech businesses.” 

The region has re-invented it textile industries through the use of advanced materials, and has become the French hub for the design of High Speed Trains. France and Europe’s most innovative retailers have moved are headquartered in the region. This includes firms such as La Redoute, Europe’s leading internet and mail order retailer, and the sport’s retailer Decathlon that has become Europe’s leading distributor of bicycles and sophisticated sports equipment are also now based in the area. Naturally they were very interested in the folding bicycle wheel.

The delegation also visited the interim degree show at the RCA (pictured).  This proved a highly successful event and of great interest to the visitors.  Sir Christopher Frayling, RCA’s Rector, and Nick Leon, Director Design London, presented to the group.  Christopher on the heritage of the RCA and its heritage of helping industry through inspired innovation. Whilst Nick explained Design London’s aims and ambitions in detail.  This was followed by a Q&A for the delegation on what they had seen and heard.

In the evening the Design London team joined the delegation and the French Ambassador for dinner.  Jean-Christophe Novelli, a Michelin and 5AA Rosette award winning chef, prepared a special dish to celebrate Anglo-French collaboration.

During the meal, Nick, Professor Clare Johnston and others from the project talked to the region’s leading business people in more depth about several future projects for Design London.  The team was also invited to develop joint activities with the Chamber of Commerce in the coming months.

 
Ends