Launch of "Forum Event" initiative wows members of the INNOV8 community

The very latest initiative to come from The Innovation Hub was launched on 21 July to a "standing room only" crowd of almost 150. Known as Forum Events, this new series forms part of a programme of occasional "partnered" business and networking opportunities, and is specifically designed to both bring together, and add value to, the local design and high-tech/knowledge-intensive communities.

For this reason, the Hub partnered with the SABS Design Institute to launch this exciting new initiative for members of the INNOV8 community. The Design Institute fosters economic and technological development through the promotion of the benefits of design.

The featured international guest speaker at the launch of the Forum Event series was Satish Gokhale, Director of Design Directions, a leading multi-disciplinary design company.

Named "Best Indian Designer" by Businessworld, Satish was in South Africa as guest adjudicator for the Design Institute's premier award scheme, the disa South Africa Design Excellence Awards. A graduate of the National Institute of Design - India's premier design institute - he has more than 19 years experience in the field, and has contributed greatly to the awareness and establishment of product design as a profession in India. His particular expertise is in combining design, technology, ergonomics, aesthetics and relevant materials to make a major impact on capital, medical equipment and electronic products. Satish has successfully designed and launched over 150 products for both the Indian and international markets.

Speaking at the launch, Satish discussed his design projects to date, and presented his views on industrial design in India, with particular reference to the many similarities with South Africa, especially regarding the capacity of high technology in a predominantly developing economy.

Clearly, in today's business world, where innovation is the mantra of success, design is often a central component. Good quality design affects not only the aesthetic appearance of a product, but also its overall technological character and performance. Accordingly, design is key to how companies both develop and modify products, and therefore to their competitiveness in the market. For this reason, industrial design is indeed a strategic resource for a company: where the right design represents a decisive factor when a new product - especially a high-tech product - enters the market.

From the feedback that we have received, Satish touched on many issues in his presentation that were "eye opening" for many of those present, and has helped create an awareness of how the local design and high-tech industries should be working much more closely together. Overall, it seems that this is an initiative that has proven itself to be a considerable "value-add" to members of the INNOV8 community.

If you are not yet part of The Innovation Hub's INNOV8 community, but would like to benefit from such value-adding opportunities and/or participate in our various business networking and other events in the future, please e-mail us at innov8@theinnovationhub.com or visit Value-Added Services on our website for further information.

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