Designs of the Time

Designs of the Time (Dott) was a UK design programme that developed new solutions to social and economic challenges by involving communities in designing local services. Dott Cornwall was created by Design Council as an innovation programme from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The Dott programme produced two publications 'Common Sense' by Design Week and 'Wouldn't It Be Great' published by Design Council in 2007.

The first Dott was held in the North East of England during 2007, led by Programme Director John Thackara. The second, and final programme was in Cornwall during 2009/10 was led by Andrea Siodmok. The key attributes of both programmes was a series of twenty citizen projects, a skills programme and policy recommendations.

The Design Council, Cornwall Council, University College Falmouth and the Technology Strategy Board were partners behind Dott (Designs of the time) in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly during 2009/10. Dott worked with citizens to help them to co-design solutions to every day issues that they face. The Programme Director Dr Andrea Siodmok, was previously Chief Design Officer at the Design Council in London and the Executive Director of both was Robert O'Dowd.

Eco Design Challenge

The challenge explored what design could do to reduce our ecological footprint. Dott worked with schools across Cornwall in the challenge, the winner of the Challenge was St Ives School.

This challenge asked Year 8 pupils in Cornwall: ‘What is the size of your school's ecological footprint and how could design make it smaller?’ Students across the county calculated the carbon footprint of their schools and came up with design solutions to reduce it. As well as studying different aspects of school life, participants also looked at the impact of journeys to and from school, school meals, water use and waste disposal. Led by Matt Hocking of Leap Media, the project aimed to encourage creative thinking, raise environmental awareness and throw innovative ideas into the way we approach a more sustainable future. The eco design challenge was supported by the Real Ideas Organization and The Learning Partnership.

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