Open Call for Iskele Design Acceleration Project

The Iskele Design Acceleration Project aims to contribute to Istanbul and Turkey’s social and economic development with a design-oriented approach by creating an ecosystem that will provide a multidisciplinary production and learning ground for designers. To create an environment of interdisciplinary interaction, training, workshops, and meetings, where entrepreneurs in design, mentors, and industry leaders will come together, will be held.

Applications for the Iskele Design Acceleration Program and IskeleLAB Program, carried out under this project, have started. Students and young professionals eligible to participate in these programs will be offered the opportunity to benefit free of charge from the prototype production equipment, and collaborative workspaces of the “Iskele Atölye” put into operation within the project. So, the designers can perform R&D with the help of technology, develop their ideas and turn them into production to realize their potential.

The Iskele Design Acceleration Program aims to discover talented young designers and support them in realizing their entrepreneurial ideas. Design students, design entrepreneurs, and young professionals will be able to apply individually and in groups via the website of the Turkey Design Council. The Selection Committee will evaluate their applications periodically within the framework of criteria such as applicability, originality, functionality, sustainability, innovative approach, brand strength, and social impact. Design entrepreneurs will also be provided with mentoring, legal and brand consultancy support, the opportunity to participate in investor meetings, and a platform to promote their projects and increase their business potential.

The IskeleLAB Program will support the preparation processes of students’ undergraduate assignments and postgraduate and competition projects. Students will be evaluated after their applications and can use all the facilities in the workshop for a maximum period of one month during the process in which they make an appointment.

Under the direction of Turkey Design Council, in partnership with Üsküdar Municipality, in cooperation with the Istanbul Chamber of Industry and ITU ARI Teknokent, The ‘İskele Design Acceleration Project’ financed by the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the Istanbul Development Agency within the scope of the Creative Industries Financial Support Program for 2021, started as of January 1, 2022.

More Information: www.turkiyetasarimvakfi.org/en

Last updated: 01/02/23