A Successful Finish to the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agencyʼs First design START Mentoring Programme

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agencyʼs (HFDA) first mentoring programme, design START has successfully been completed. The programme offered professional support to Hungarian designers and encouraged the development and founding of successful Hungarian brands. The seven mentored brands committed to the completion of a three-step programme that included a series of six modules consisting of a workshop and lecture series, a traineeship programme at a domestic factory, and a professional industry trip abroad. After the ending of the first design START mentoring programme, the application process opened for the following programme on the website of HFDA.

In February, the last mentoree of the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agencyʼs START mentoring programme will complete their professional internship, within the programme that started off with seven brands. The seven mentored brands committed to a three-step programme, including a series of six modules consisting of a workshop and lecture series. The selected topics were preceded by an evaluation of market research regarding design strategy and the in-depth interviews completed with the designers, which highlighted the difficulties faced by designers in Hungary and the areas in need for improvement.

Throughout the research and inquiries, it was shown that emerging designers in Hungary mostly lack the knowledge needed for a successful entrepreneurial path, and therefore, the workshops placed emphasis on practical business skills such as: business planning, finance, the basics of communication, marketing and digital technology, brand and design communications, and legal knowledge. This knowledge was handed over by professionals with outstanding professional qualities and achievements, who were deemed as credible mentors in supporting the talents partaking in the mentoring programme.

After gaining theoretical background knowledge, the participants were given the opportunity to part on study trips abroad organized by the HFDA. The mentorees were able to visit world- class exhibitions and factories such as the Meissen Porcelain Factory, the Designer's Open in Leipzig, the Grassimesse industry exhibition and trade centre and the Maison & Objet International Fair in Paris to learn first-hand about the practices of renowned designers. Among other things, they also learned about the professional aspects taken into perspective and used in the selection process behind the products displayed at the exhibition, and also gained an understanding about the communication tools used to position themselves as cutting-edge designers. Further, they were also able to improve their knowledge on pricing.

The last step of the design START programme was the completion of a professional internship, through which the Agency connected the mentorees with recognised brands and acclaimed industry professionals. The mentorees were able to become familiar with the day- to-day manufacturing processes that require joint knowledge with the designers: from the introduction of new products, to transportation and manufacturing planning - they were able to get to know every step of the manufacturing process.

 “The programme aims to fill an important void in the industry, by offering designers the opportunity to gain insight into the entire organisational chain. Through this new point of view, the designers are given a comprehensive view of a product's life cycle - from idea to implementation to the development of a trade strategy. The collaborations also offer a win-win opportunity for manufacturers, as they do as much as possible to create their own collection or product, and this requires a personal relationship with designers.” – stated Zsófia Bata-Jakab, CEO of the Hungarian Fashion & Design.

The latest design START mentoring programme has begun – Applications are open!

The newest design START mentoring programme has begun, and applications are now being accepted. The HFDA aims to provide professional support to as many Hungarian designers as possible, and by doing so, further strengthening the strategic goal of Budapest becoming the regionʼs leading fashion and design hub. Eligibility to be accepted in the mentoring programme is subject to an open professional application, details of which can be found via the following link:

https://mtu.gov.hu/documents/prod/design_START_mentoring_palyazat.pdf

 In the programme of 2019, the selected designers arrived from various areas of the design industry – Anna Bárány, Borbála Fű and Fruzsina Fülöp work in ceramic design, while 4 MS Design, Paper Up!, PDSIGN and UPLUX work in interior design and interior design products. 

These designers will be the ones, who after the completion of the programme, will be able to carry on with a more robust and efficient work environment, where they can focus on the development of personalised and sustainable business models, and also enhance their international visibility both online and offline. 

The aim of the HFDA is to build a strategic partnership with them, and through this partnership, increase domestic export within the industry, and by doing so, boosting the production of raw materials in Hungary, and strengthening its intense involvement in international value chains.