The HFDA is launching an incubation programme in order to support production development

The Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency (HFDA) has developed the design LAB incubation programme to help promote cooperation between Hungarian manufacturers and creative professionals in the design industry which, in addition to the strategic objective of production development, will also mitigate the economic consequences caused by the pandemic. Manufacturers and designers can jointly apply with a thought-out plan and detailed application material, for the opportunity of financial assistance, which will be given primarily for the implementation of furniture, home accessories and textile products. To support a smooth process for the formation of partnerships, the HFDA will be organising „Speed ​​Dating” an online business meeting.

The implementation of the design LAB incubation programme was preceded by an expert roundtable discussion, during which industry representatives highlighted the need for project-based collaborations, where the professionalism of manufacturers and the creativity of designers can be embodied in the form of competitive products. Taking into account the feedback received from various sectors, the HFDA developed the design LAB programme with the primary goal of promoting successful collaborations, as well as the strengthening and modernisation of the background of domestic manufacturing. In addition, the programme aims to increase the competitiveness of production development and to stimulate exports from the sector.

In the current economic situation, such ad hoc partnerships have become even more valuable, as it has become necessary for industry actors to rethink their business processes and activities in order to create demand for their goods.

The HFDA is also helping to promote networking through the organisation of its "Speed ​​Dating" event, which due to the current virus situation, will be held online. Within the framework of the virtual event, manufacturers and designers will have the opportunity to get to know each other and assess the potential of a possible joint cooperation in 15-20 minute long webcam interviews -participants can even choose who they would want to work with on the day. The newly established manufacturer-designer pairs will have almost 2 months to prepare their jointly developed tender.

The submitted documentation must include a professional introduction of the manufacturer and designer pairing, an implementation schedule of the project, a financial budget plan, visual documentation and a list of the required machines and workflows, as well as the potential of the marketable product series to be developed in the programme.

In order to reach the widest possible range of applicants, the call for proposals will not be restricting material categories.

In light of the current economic situation caused by the pandemic, the financial framework will cover a pre-defined amount for the financing of various parts of production, including wages, design fees, procurement of equipment and materials, and other areas related to the project.

The evaluation of the entries will be carried out by a jury of industry experts, with particular emphasis on originality, feasibility and exportability. The members of the jury will examine, among other things, the feasibility of series production, the feasibility of its duration and financial budget plan, as well as sustainability aspects, and will ask further questions via personal consultations. The best applicants will be able to use the financial aid grant to finalize and manufacture their products of serial-production.

“In Hungary, there are still only a few - although continuously growing, great examples of project-based collaborations and work between manufacturers and designers. The goal of the Hungarian Fashion & Design Agency is for as many industry actors as possible to use the opportunity of collaboration between manufacturer and designer, as this can be the key to success on the Hungarian stage. With the successful collaborations implemented within the design LAB programme, we want to encourage industry actors to initiate similar collaborations independently in the future, by recognizing the benefits of cooperation between manufacturers and designers, which are now even more important than ever.” - stated Zsófia Bata-Jakab, CEO of the HFDA.

The Agency will be monitoring the production process with the help of experts through monthly factory visits, during which the stages of preparation to work processes to the final product will be monitored.

The design LAB programme is being implemented in collaboration with the French design institute, VIA (Valorisation de l'Innovation dans l'Ameublement). VIA, as a professional partner, will also be involved in the evaluation of applications.