THE largest design festival in the North kicks off today as studios throughout Liverpool open their doors to students and the curious.
Designival is set to attracts hundreds of designers to Liverpool for todays open events and for tomorrow’s conference at Camp & Furnace.
Today, 15 companies, including architecture practices and digital consultancies, are taking part in the free “Open Studios” day by inviting visitors to their offices.
Participating companies include Milky Tea, the Baltic Triangle-based agency that will be discussing the launch of its gaming arm, Milky Tea Play.
Nick Howe, managing director of Liverpool design and branding agency Uniform and one of the organisers of Designival, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for budding students, curious freelancers and potential new business leads to network and find out how the magic happens.”
Friday’s events at Camp & Furnace kick off with a “design breakfast,” with Deborah Dawton, of the Design Business Association.
Friday’s keynote speakers will be graphic designer Sara de Bondt, illustrator and toy designer James Jarvis, and Simon Manchipp, founder of London agency SomeOne.
The final speaker will be Lance Wyman, designer of the branding for the Mexico City Olympics in 1968.
And then Mr Wyman will take the stage again with Mr Manchipp to debate the London 2012 brand and the “death of the logo”.
During the day, there will be masterclasses hosted by agencies Uniform, Milky Tea and Apposing, as well as portfolio surgeries and the Designist Exhibition.
