ARTICLE - SHIFT IN HAITIAN DESIGN

AN HISTORIC SHIFT FOR HAITIAN DESIGN
(Haiti Libre) -

The Trade Facilitation Office of Canada and BRAIDAID Project are pleased to announce the debut of a new product collection from Haiti at SIDIM in Montreal from May 24 to 26, 2012.

The developing world is one of the next design frontiers, producing goods that fuse quality with creativity beyond just low cost. This year long development project produced unique regional hybrids that combine a craft tradition and contemporary design process. Through the push and pull of cross cultural collaboration, a new vernacular emerged - one that respects and elevates local traditions. In contrast with the familiar presentations of Haitian culture, this collection presents something much more dynamic: a living breathing culture with a critical role in the global design marketplace.

The work of nine Haitian companies and communities is showcased in the Carrefour International Section at SIDIM in Montreal. Canadian designer, Patty Johnson, worked collaboratively with Ashley Design, Axelle, Caribbean Craft, Carnival Jacmel, Croix des Bouquets, Les Dix Doigts, Indepco, Intext, and, Peace Quilts to create over 50 new products ranging from home textiles through furniture and home décor products to artifacts and lighting.

The project is supported by the Trade Facilitation Office of Canada and BRANDAID Project through funding by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Cameron Brohman, Founder of BRANDAID Project, says, "The debut of this collection at SIDIM marks an historic shift in the world's perception of Haitian culture. The old and misunderstood Haiti is now recognised as the brilliant and wise genius of a design tradition with thousands of years of aesthetic experience. Haiti can finally take its place in the global pantheon of design."

For Canadian designer Patty Johnson, "My experience designing with these manufacturers and communities is one of the most enriching of my life. I learned, once again, that people-centred design has a middle component, living between ethnography and interface. Hand manufacturing is the reality in much of the world, and designers, sitting at their desks sending off PDFs to unknown destinations, may be a modern paradigm, but ultimately a hollow one. I would encourage designers to go and visit where their products are made, and, especially, with the people who make them."

May 24 to 26, 2012 SIDIM, Carrefour International, Place Bonaventure, Montreal, Quebec

Learn more about BRANDAID Project Inc:
BRANDAID believes that reducing poverty is a business opportunity. Based in Canada, BRANDAID's hybrid business model includes both for-profit and non-profit streams and is designed to brand the exceptional product lines of microenterprises in the developing world and launch them in the global marketplace. BRANDAID's simple, successful model mobilizes the powerful energy of big brand marketing and applies it to small handmade economies and their products.