Designers and visual artists. How can we be more visible to potential collaborators and support each other? Alice Hoult, 29 January 2013 Session called by Alice Hoult, attendees were Tom Spencer, Tom Martin and Michelle Owoo, and a couple of others towards the end, sorry I didn't get your names... I felt as though designers were underrepresented at D&D this year, where are we all? It frustrates me that there are potential collaborators out there who are struggling to find a designer when I know there are many designers open to collaboration who aren't being found. Issues A preconception about designers working to commission was discussed. It was mentioned that money is an issue and people aren't sure how much designers should be paid, one issue was not having the language to have a dialogue about design, not knowing how to find the kind of designer they need. There is some fear involved with embarking on that relationship in case it doesn't work out, taking a risk on someone you don't know. The Young Vic runs sessions to help directors and designers begin those collaborations, no one at the session had followed through with anyone they met there. No one I spoke to knew about the SBTD (society of british theatre designers) as a resource for finding a designer. Preconception that the director/performer has to be the initiator, some would like to know what designers want to do? Solutions and positives Directors would like to see designer's process, would benefit from an open studios event. Perhaps directors could present a series of scratches to show their own process to potential design collaborators. Designers tend to be better at documenting everything which is really useful in a work-in-progress situation. Designers as initiators: It was talked about that directors can feel pressure and loneliness at the stage of ideas generation, and some would love to be brought in to a project with a brief that a designer has set them. Is there a way programmers can work with designers to initiate a project in a specific space, work with them to come up with a brief and work on reading applications from directors. Tom M had worked as a performer in a space initiated by 2 designers at BAC, it was suggested that this is a good venue to produce work in this way. There is often a question around who owns the work when in the collaborative/ideas stage. It was suggested that a kind of consultancy session would help both directors and designers talk about their projects, get expertise from the other side, and find someone they like working with, with less risk involved and a prior agreement to openly share ideas. Finally to mention, directors know directors and designers know designers, - we need to share contacts! Actions I will organise an event based on an ‘open studio’ model where designers set up their ‘desks’ - focusing on process, how they like to work and what inspires them. Michelle has offered to help me advertise this event to producers and directors, Tom will pass this on to his contacts, and will think about organising the partner event which would be for directors to showcase their work Links: http://www.theatredesign.org.uk - Society of British Theatre Designers Call Out Anyone interested in getting involved with an ‘open studio’ event please leave a comment here and it will get sent to my inbox. Anyone who can suggest a space with desks/tables that this could happen in, please do also get in touch! Or if you have a resource/list of people who might like to come along to the event. Tags: process, Process, collaborators, Risk, scratch performance, Initiate, open studios, documentation, initiate, visual artists, SBTD, designers, Documentation, risk Comments: 2 Abigail Anderson, 1 February 2013 Hello there, Alice. I'm a freelance director who'd love to come to an Open Studio event such as you describe. Please put me on your mailing list [email protected]. I'd also be happy to extend the invitation around my director colleagues' network. Best wishes, Abi Lisa Sangster, 10 May 2013 Hi Alice I am a designer living and working in Scotland and we share similar problems up here. I would be really interested to hear how your open studio event went? My e-mail add is [email protected] Best wishes Lisa