Creatives attend Arctic Design week in Finland

For one week in Rovaniemi, inside the Arctic Circle, local businesses got to network, exhibit and attend events with Finnish and international designers, bringing together their creative expertise from Arctic regions and further afield.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Mar 2017, 16:59 BST
Updated 9th May 2017, 18:29 BST
Six creatives from the SEED group of councils at Arctic Design Week, L-R: Samantha Moore, Samantha Moore Silversmith, Crossgar; Shaun Byrne, Design Stics, Banbridge; Michael Geddis, Michael Geddis Art, Bangor; Brenda Moffett, Nick Moffett Design, Bangor; David Henderson, David Henderson Design, Kilkeel; and Laura McFarland, Paper Harmonic, Portadown.Six creatives from the SEED group of councils at Arctic Design Week, L-R: Samantha Moore, Samantha Moore Silversmith, Crossgar; Shaun Byrne, Design Stics, Banbridge; Michael Geddis, Michael Geddis Art, Bangor; Brenda Moffett, Nick Moffett Design, Bangor; David Henderson, David Henderson Design, Kilkeel; and Laura McFarland, Paper Harmonic, Portadown.
Six creatives from the SEED group of councils at Arctic Design Week, L-R: Samantha Moore, Samantha Moore Silversmith, Crossgar; Shaun Byrne, Design Stics, Banbridge; Michael Geddis, Michael Geddis Art, Bangor; Brenda Moffett, Nick Moffett Design, Bangor; David Henderson, David Henderson Design, Kilkeel; and Laura McFarland, Paper Harmonic, Portadown.

The six creatives attended Arctic Design Week 2017 as part of the Creative Momentum Project’s Northern Ireland group (which is led by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council). Advancing the economy is Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council’s number one priority, and assisting local businesses to gain greater exposure to international best practice will help grow the economy and promote exporting.

“These businesses are out there on a global platform,” commented Colin McCusker, Chair of Economic Development and Regeneration Committee, “networking with other creative professionals at an international level, exploring potential transnational future partnerships and collaboration. This experience can only lead to increased turnover and new jobs. What an opportunity”.

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Representing Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough were graphic designers Shaun Byrne from Design Stics, Banbridge and Laura McFarland from Paper Harmonic, Portadown. Laura outlined the benefits of the festival, “We got to showcase and discuss our work while developing a deeper understanding of the value of design in business. All this while networking transnationally and addressing living and working in a way that addresses sustainability through design”.

All participating Northern Ireland businesses were exposed to international best practice which will in turn help generate new export and business development opportunities.

Related topics:FinlandBanbridgeNorthern Ireland