To strengthen youth’s understanding of sustainable design and promote a creative approach to material research, the Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme, launched the introductory phase of the “Craft + Design” project in June. During this phase, students participated in two guest lectures where they were introduced to contemporary approaches to materials research and sustainable design, gaining both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that will serve as a foundation for their future creative work.
In the first guest lecture, Professor and materials design researcher Zane Bērziņa (Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin) introduced the audience to experimental materials research, nature-inspired design strategies, and the role of materials in creating sustainable solutions. The lecture reviewed international examples that demonstrate how design, science, and technology can shape new approaches to the use of materials and the circular economy.
Meanwhile, designer and materials researcher Sarmīte Poļakova introduced the students to the practical process of materials research. Before the lecture, each participant had to choose a material characteristic of Liepāja or personally meaningful to them and conduct a visual analysis of it in the form of a Pecha Kucha presentation. During the lecture, the young people presented their research, analyzing the origin of their chosen material, its sensory, functional, and structural properties, possible methods of transformation, and opportunities for creative application. Each participant received professional feedback that will help them develop their ideas as the project progresses.
Both guest lectures served as an introductory phase to the project, encouraging students to view materials from a much broader perspective – not only as raw materials, but also as stories, resources, and sources of inspiration. At the same time, students developed skills in analyzing, experimenting, defending their ideas, and presenting them to an audience.
Starting in September, the project will move into its practical phase. Students will continue working with the materials, conducting in-depth research into their properties, possibilities for transformation, and potential for creating new design solutions. The creative process will be mentored by design thinker and Latvian Academy of Art professor Barbara Ābele and Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School instructor Guna Poga, who will help develop ideas from the initial exploration of materials through experimentation to the creation of design prototypes.
Throughout the project, collaboration will also continue with guest lecturers Zane Bērziņa and Sarmīte Poļakova, who will provide professional guidance and feedback on the students’ creative process and the solutions they develop. During the practical phase, we also plan to involve master craftsmen so that young people can learn about traditional material processing skills and their application in contemporary design, as well as to develop collaboration with researchers from the RTU Liepāja Academy, thereby broadening their understanding of material properties, research methods, and experimental possibilities.
By combining craftsmanship, design, and materials research, project participants will create, step by step, sustainable design prototypes based on creative experimentation, responsible use of resources, and exploration of local cultural heritage. At the conclusion of the project, the resulting works will be displayed in a public exhibition in Liepāja and in a traveling exhibition abroad.
Project “Craft + Design” organized by the Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School with financial support from the foundation “Nodibinājums Liepāja 2027”. The programme of “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” is implemented by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, with funding allocated by the City of Liepāja, the South Kurzeme and Kuldīga municipalities, and the Ministry of Culture. The “Liepāja 2027” programme is supported by its main partner in environmental education and sustainability, AS “CleanR Grupa”, Jsc; its main partner in air mobility and international communications, AS “airBaltic Corporation”, legal partner: Sorainen Law Office, Ltd., Jsc; and its land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, Ltd. Media partners: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, Ltd. and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.
Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School
www.lmmdv.edu.lv
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