Within the 5X5® program, five companies work together with a top designer and a young design talent for over a year on innovative products or services.
Each project results in a unique product that is marketed at a big show moment such as the Biennale INTERIEUR in Kortrijk. The programme consists of 12 specific steps. Throughout the process, they serve as a guideline for the organiser, the company and the designers. These steps are important to go through all phases of the 5X5® programme in a structured way. They also serve as a tight and clear deadline for all parties involved. Some steps need to be taken individually, while others are taken in group.
The 12 steps:
1. Call / information session / recruit companies / recruit designers
2. Select 5 companies
3. Match company – senior designer
4. Presentation of the matched companies and designers
5. Creativity workshop by Innowiz
6. Design brief
7. Match company – senior designer – junior designer
8. Execute design brief
9. Definition of the specific design direction
10. Expert meeting
11. Concept for presentation
12. Presentation at major event
The added value for the companies is multifaceted, but can be summarised as follows:
- 5X5® focuses on the development of a new, high added-value product tailored to customers’ needs, in collaboration with a designer,
- 5X5® helps implement the methodology of design thinking at the heart of the company,
- 5X5® is very hands-on, using a concrete step-by-step guide with clear milestones,
- 5X5® serves as a mirror for the companies, helping them to gain new insights in production, management, processes etc.
Resources needed
Yearly 0,4FTE + €75.000 for the designers, communication and showcase of the results.
Evidence of success
35 companies have participated up to now. See cases at www.5X5.design/cases. On average each year 5 new products are developed.
Difficulties encountered
Business model and connection of programme with public funding.
Potential for learning or transfer
Designregio Kortrijk developed a licence model for this project to be able to share the expertise with other cities, regions and countries. When interested in a licence, please contact Designregio Kortrijk.
Although the methodology is used for design of new innovative products/services, it has the potential to be applied for the development of new digital solutions with companies.
Tags: Design, Innovation, Development
