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REGIONAL PLATFORM FOR ARTISANS

"Building competitiveness through cooperation and innovation: Accessing export markets for handicraft products"

Fourth training – Training for “Innovating handicraft design in line with expectations of customers from developed markets”

In the period from February 13th to 15th, in Hotel “Planet” – Gjilan, training for “Innovative design in accordance with the expectations of the consumers from the developed markets” was held, in which participated 30 artisans, 14 from Kosovo and 16 from the Republic of North Macedonia. After the completion of the three-day training, the following segments regarding the realization and evaluation were summarized:

Program and objectives of the training

The training “Innovating handicraft design in line with expectations of customers from developed markets” was conceived in such a way as to enable the acquisition of basic knowledge about the design, its basic elements and principles as a basic and starting point in creating attractive innovative designs that will be in accordance with the expectations of potential buyers from developed markets.

The main goal of the training was for the participants to be equipped with a set of theoretical and practically applicable knowledge, experiences and skills, which they can apply immediately after the training, will incorporate them in creating their own products, establishing attractive and innovative designs of the products that will directly affect the growth and development of the existing business or business in the process of establishment.

Methodology

 Several methods and tools were prepared and implemented for the needs of the training, in order to achieve maximum results, in addition to the oral presentation:

Power Point presentation with textual content, photos, infographics – a simple guide through the topics covered in the training.

Flipchart and poster presentations – which help to visually display and emphasize the visibility of set situations and expected results.

Structured questionnaires – aimed through structured questions to help craftsmen to assess and analyze existing business capabilities and determine future steps for action.

Interactive sessions – where all participants have the opportunity to share personal experiences, problems and needs, share knowledge and experiences, and create common solutions.

Educational games – through which in a fun way involving interaction by all the participants, certain knowledge is confirmed, new ones are created, and new perspectives for thinking are opened up.

Simulations – that encourage creative thinking by setting tasks which participants need to find the most appropriate and optimal solution for.

Work in groups – as an effective method for getting to know each other, networking, and teamwork, generating common ideas, suggestions, and solutions.

Realized curriculum

First day of the training was dedicated to familiarize with the basic objectives of design as well as the basic types of design. The starting point in creating a good design is to understand the way of perception and visual perception, as well as the principles of the so-called Gestalt perception that explains the human psychology in receiving the visual information.

During the first day of the training, the participants were fully acquainted with the basic elements of the design. In order to create a harmonious design that unambiguously will send the author’s message, it is necessary to know the basic elements of the design that the author can use in creating his own visual identity.

In order to achieve innovation in designing, it is necessary to know and adopt the standards of good design, and further it should develop and upgrade by modifying and establishing innovative elements.

Adopted topics and terminology:

 Basic objectives of design, basic types of design, Gestalt perception – way of visual information perception, elements of design, lines, feature, types, psychology, direction (vertical direction and horizontal direction), size, shape (geometric shapes and free or organic shapes), colors, basic (primary) colors, secondary, tertiary, chromatic and achromatic colors, color temperature (cold and hot), complementary color scheme, triad color scheme, tetrad color scheme, psychology of colors, hot, cold, neutral, texture – external feature of the designed object, natural textures, artificial textures.

On the second day of the training, participants were introduced with the principles of design, that is, the role of contrast, harmony, rhythm, balance, gradation and proportions as the basic principles of good design.

The participants learned how to use the design principles in creating well-designed products, but also how to make a certain change in existing products by which they will achieve a redesign of the product or its styling.

During the second day of the training, the participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the entire design process, starting from generating product ideas, developing and testing product ideas, production planning, establishing marketing strategies for products, and commercialization of the product.

The participants had the opportunity to practically apply adopted theoretical knowledge through work in groups and by creating prototypes of innovative product designs according to predetermined parameters.

Adopted topics and terminology:

 Design principle, contrast – placing two different elements in close proximity, harmony – the relation between two design elements, rhythm – correct and even repetition of one or more design elements (regular and alternative), balance – even placement with respect to the axis (horizontal, vertical, symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial, mosaic), gradation – gradual transition of design elements from one position to another, proportion – ratio between the dimensions of the design elements, design process, product planning, product planning, primary features (quality, product features, style, packaging), secondary features (delivery, warranty, service, other services), designing process, generating product ideas, testing and comparing product ideas, development and testing of product concepts, development of new product marketing strategies, product sales potential assessment, new product development, product testing, commercialization, creativity thinking techniques, design of thinking, creative mapping

The third day of the training was dedicated to the presentation of the results of the survey which covered and analyzed the most current designs in the developed markets and the trends in design expressions that rank highly on online sales platforms.

Participants in the training were familiarized with the meaning of the products life cycle, how to manage the product’s longevity and maintain the interest of a particular design and product.

The participants also learned ho to independently evaluate the design and the product according to the generally accepted criteria – usability, aesthetics, ergonomic adaptability and economic feasibility.

Adopted topics and terminology:

 Research of the potential for sales, products that are often bought, products that are not  frequently bought, products that are bought once, product testing, simulated test marketing, controlled marketing testing, market testing, product commercialization, early entry, parallel entry, late entry, product life cycle, introduction phase, growth phase, maturity phase, phase of decline, extension of product life, features of a well-designed product, product usability, ergonomic adaptability, aesthetic sensibility, economic justification

Evaluation of the achieved results

The main objective of the training was fulfilled, the participants gained a set of theoretical and practically applicable knowledge, experiences and skills that they can apply immediately after the completion of the training, they will incorporate them in the creation of their own products, establishing attractive and innovative product designs which will directly affect the growth and development of the existing business or business in the establishment.

This website was created and maintained with financial support from the European Union, within the project "Building competitiveness through cooperation and innovation: Accessing export markets for handicraft products". Its contents are the sole responsibility of the project implementers – ZBK Creation, the Association Zenith and the Advocacy Training and Resource Center – and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.