Designregio Kortrijk exists exactly 20 years

20 years ago, a number of Kortrijk organizations joined forces to stimulate efforts around design, innovation and creativity in the manufacturing industry. This led to the establishment of Designregio Kortrijk. The non-profit organization is still a matchmaker between creative talent on the one hand and companies and public institutions on the other, looking to strengthen their innovative potential. But the organization has spread its wings to the rest of Flanders and is now even active worldwide. 

The collaboration Designregio Kortrijk is still supported by the founding partners Howest, Intercommunale Leiedal, Stad Kortrijk, Voka West-Vlaanderen and Kortrijk Xpo (after the acquisition of the Interieur Foundation). “This diversity of stakeholders makes us unique,” indicates coordinator Stijn Debaillie. “Recently, waste intermunicipal organization IMOG also joined as a structural partner. We now have a powerful collaboration model according to the quintuple helix, where sustainable innovation takes place at the intersection of education, government, business, citizens and environment.”

The organization built an expertise in matching companies and other institutions with creatives and designers. “In the early days, the focus was strongly on product innovation and creativity by matching manufacturing companies with renowned designers. Meanwhile, the scope is much broader: we look for the most appropriate designer or creative for a specific challenge. This can also include sustainability and circularity, social innovation or digitalization projects.”

Over time, the approach has become a lot more holistic. “It's not just about design thinking anymore. Now we deploy specific profiles according to the need of the project or product. That can be a creative designer, but equally a service designer, IT architect, a social innovator or a circular expert. The questions go much broader than the aesthetic: Are the materials reusable after dismantling? What about ease of installation and usability? Is a new business case conceivable for a product-as-a-service? And so on...”

A second pillar includes the community that Designregio Kortrijk builds and maintains. “We bring together creatives and non-creatives at regular intervals during networking events and inspiring sessions,” Debaillie explains. “Our most successful project is the WONDER Creativity Festival. Last year we had a program of exhibits, installations, workshops and conferences at no fewer than 30 locations. We received more than 16,000 visitors, including a lot of young people. That also makes the festival interesting for companies showcasing their innovations and looking for young talent.”

One of its finest achievements is undoubtedly the recognition of Kortrijk as a UNESCO City of Design. Designregio Kortrijk represents the city as an executive agency in the international network of design cities. “It's a very prestigious title, which gives us access to a lot of international expertise. And at the same time, many other design cities call on our experience. That cross-pollination and knowledge exchange is very enriching.”

A good example is the 5X5® innovation program, which was devised in Kortrijk. Stijn Debaillie: “The program, in which 5 companies were each paired with a designer, challenged those duos to work out a new idea in 12 months, up to and including the development of a finished product. This methodology has proven its success in Flanders and we are now implementing it in Bilbao and Kaunas (Lithuania). There we can immediately create opportunities for Flemish creative talent. And we will also show the results of those international 5X5 programs this fall at the Wonder festival in Kortrijk.”

Meanwhile, the team at Designregio Kortrijk is in full preparation for that free festival. Most of the initiatives are suggested from the stakeholders and the existing network. “But we are again appealing to organizations, schools, creatives and companies that want to participate in the programming. Organizations from all over Flanders have again shown interest,” Debaillie indicates. “We are aiming for a three-week festival, with the first week focusing on professionals and companies, a second week on education and public organizations, and a week of activities for young families with children. This way we bring together diverse audiences to give more confidence in the future from creativity and wonder!”

Article written by Björn Crul, of Business Vlaanderen