Outsourcing for Designer-Maker Businesses Monday 16th March 2009, 10-1pm Blackburn Museum&Art Gallery, Museum Street, Blackburn, BB1 7AJ

• Would you be interested in using third parties to produce a product and want know where to start?
• Are you trying to find a manufacturer but having no success?
• Are you already outsourcing but need some further advice?

This unique event sees the launch of a new publication “The Outsourcing Process – a Guide for Makers” by Creative Consultant, Elizabeth White. Elizabeth will demystify the process of including outside production into a designer-maker’s practice and where to start.

Design Initiative’s own work encompassing outsourcing as a tool for innovation in designer-maker practice will be explored. Plus, Stella Corrall, a designer-maker who creates interior products using specifically designed translucent plastic, will discuss her experience of working with manufacturers, new technology and processes, in order to produce new work to commission, and new ranges for high street retailers such as Habitat.

There will also be time set aside to talk with the speakers and fellow designers and a small buffet will be provided. A copy of “The Outsourcing Process – a Guide for Makers” by Elizabeth White will be available to each participant free of charge.

This event has been organised by Design Initiative in association with Creative Lancashire’s Hive Network and is targeted at designers working in fields such as jewellery design, ceramics, furniture, textiles and other crafts.

Also available – 1-2-1s from 10am to 4pm on Tuesday 24th March 2009, a small number of one-to-one follow up surgeries with Elizabeth White at The Watermark in Preston to discuss in detail your outsourcing questions. These places are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to book Places are available free of charge by visiting www.prospernw.org.uk or emailing alex@designinit.org.uk or ringing 0161 834 3722.