Launch2005 to expose design in North-east

Deadgood designers Elliot Brook and Dan Ziglam are launching an event in the North-east that aims to showcase new designers to potential manufacturers and clients.

Launch2005 will present 15 design-led businesses and individuals that the pair believes show the most promising and innovative designs. The work on display will span furniture, product, glass and fashion design.

Deadgood has secured support from the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship, One North East and the Arts Council. The NCGE and One North East will contact trade customers directly to drum up interest in the event, says Ziglam.

‘This is the first time anything from the design sector has been done on this sort of scale [in the region],’ he says. ‘Design-wise, there’s not been much of a central voice here. Businesses often find it hard to contact people in the industry, which is focused on London.’

The main objective of Launch-2005 is in helping emerging designers secure sales and win commissions, although the exhibition will also open to the public for two days.

Ziglam hopes that as well as raising the profile of the designers involved, the event will be prosperous for the region’s creative industries generally. ‘We hope that this will raise awareness and sustain the creative sector in the region,’ he says.

Launch2005 will take place in Newcastle-upon-Tyne’s 1000-year-old Castle Keep. The event will run from 22-26 June.