Programme

Jiten Anand CEO of award winning cultural producers Inspirate will chair a discussion looking at the value and potency of working with designers when producing cultural festivals.  Presentations and discussion from

• Sophie Akbar (Without Walls, Development Producer),
• Tom Cleaver (Mr Cleavers Monsters, Puppet Master) 
• Chirag Lukha (Martial Artist & Dance Choreographer). 

The discussion will focus on Inspirate’s production for Leicester Diwali festival – the largest celebration of Diwali outside of India.

Gods and Demons from ancient South Asian tales will be brought to life in a visual spectacle of giant puppetry, adventure and surprise for Diwali Lights Switch On. Join the artists, producers and funders behind this epic production, where they will explore the intricate symbiotic synergy between Design, Dance and Martial Arts. The UK outdoor arts scene is changing and Inspirate are paving the way for new contemporary South Asian culture, starting with their UK touring production of Ancient Giants, supported by Without Walls.

If Design Innovation is a process that meets peoples need are we all on the same page this presentation and debate from Design Leicester asks.  Our session brings together academics, creatives, businesses, innovators and producers to consider what great design and innovation looks like and then consider how might we really build better.  Do we agree what challenges we face, do the powers that be grasp how the design community can step up and does the design community itself drive itself forward to offer possibilities.

With representatives from DMU’s design unit, the Arts AI Festival, Knowledge transfer partnerships and the design community itself the sessions offers the opportunity to start grasp what should be done and what can be done

Design Season 2021 saw the commencement of the ”ALL IN” group. Initiated by Bill Haley of award winning Haley Sharpe Design and drawing on design work for cultural institutions the world over, this group has spent the year committed to a programme of consultation and testing of ideas designed to define, create and advocate for inclusivity in design

Twelve months on from Design Season 2021 Bill and the ALL IN gropup will detail their works to date and how the ALL-IN group been involved with offering accessibility and access advice using the ALL-IN inclusive process when designing for accessibility in LEICESTER. Oraghnisations to date include Attenborough Centre, Curve, the Phoenix, LCB, Graffwerks and the Journeys Festival with Art Reach. Come and see what we have done in 12 months.  Find out

Who we are

Hear about our process ALL IN – ACCESS-ABILITY and our mission to promote barrier removal

Who is included in ALL IN and how you can get involved

Design Season presents – The Textiles Takeover – A taster event for next year’s first ever @LeicesterTextilesFestival‘  

Leicester textile artists present a day of fun engaging textile activity aimed at promoting textile design and the circular economy.  Hosted at LCB Depot the day comprises a range of sessions with Gray’s coffee shop & kitchen open all day.  Sessions include

Textile Swap

Got any fabric, balls of yarn, thread, haberdashery, patterns or other textile related craft items, kits or books that you no longer use? Bring items to swap and get tickets to exchange for something different! You can hand in items on the day or drop them off beforehand on the 11th

Make Do & Mend

Drop in with items that need mending or upcycling for advice and tips

Skill Swap 

Drop-in sessions to learn new textiles skills including how to use a sewing machine, simple embroidery, and knitting and crochet. Fun Ideas Hub for using scraps of fabric, repurposing old textiles and creating Halloween outfits from items you might already have at home.

Clothes Swap 

Do you want to refresh/re-energise your wardrobe for free? Tired of looking at clothes you never wear? Want to make more sustainable choices in what you wear? The Autumn clothes swop event is just what you need….and it needs you Simply bring up to 10 items (clothes, shoes, accessories) and get swapping!

For every item you bring – you get to take home something new to you – how good is that?? All items should be clean, size labelled if needed and in good wearable condition. Local stylists, including @cathirae will be offering FREE styling advice on the day to help you get the most from your new wardrobe!

Working lunch: Introducing food’s urban graphic heritage – Public session, led by Robert Harland. At this session we invite participants to bring and eat a lunch that holds meaning for them as a way to reflect on their heritage, family and lived experience. This could include places to eat, food from other countries etc

Leicester Urban Observatory is a collaboration between urban practitioners at Leicester City Council and academics at three local universities: De Montfort University, University of Leicester, and Loughborough University. It aims to establish and develop a combined centre of excellence in urban studies and planning for Leicester.

For Design Season the UO has developed ‘Urbanism’ a day where the UOP takes over at LCB Depot to present a range of works and ideas relating to the urban environment and the way we live and co-exist.

Follow the UO at Twitter @LeicsObs