WantedDesign is a dynamic connector and amplifier for global design, fostering creative synergy and serving as a pivotal crossroad for the international design community across Latin America, North America, and Europe.

IC Design Festival by WantedDesign

IC Design Festival by WantedDesign

Over the course of the past five years, Industry City has become a destination for design throughout the year, and in conjunction with NYCxDESIGN, we are excited to expand with the IC Design Festival by WantedDesign, May 17-22, 2018. The IC Design Festival by WantedDesign will showcase Brooklyn as a hub for diverse, multidisciplinary thinkers, makers, and entrepreneurs. In addition to the main WantedDesign Brooklyn exhibition in the Factory Floor including more than 12 design schools exhibitions and the Design Schools Workshop, the exhibits that are part of the Oui Design program, Swiss designer Carolien Niebling, and the Creative Studios of IC exhibit, the IC Design Festival by WantedDesign will feature art installations, campus wide activities and IC Open Studios.

Read a Q&A with Michael Phillips, Principal and President, Jamestown

WantedDesign: What was your original vision for developing this complex, how much you feel you have accomplish and what will be the next big step? Michael Phillips: In many ways, our vision was to restore the complex to its former dynamism. Over the past five years, we have begun to realize that vision, cultivating a diverse, cutting-edge tenancy that includes modern manufacturing, design, media, tech, and food. The growing tenancy combined with the addition of destination courtyards and experience-driven dining, retail and event programing has made Industry City a cultural and creative hub. The next step is the full restoration and activation of the site. At 6 million square feet, that takes time.

WD: How do you see the role of the innovators, designers and makers in New York and in particular in Brooklyn?
MP: I think they’re the new center of industry. Everything today revolves around content and they’re the ones creating it. The content on the edge, pushing culture forward, is largely coming out of Brooklyn.

WD: How does it differ from over US cities, where you also have properties?
MP: New York has this vast range and depth of industry and culture. There’s a density and diversity of creativity that can’t be replicated.

WD: How is IC supporting the creative community? What is the most valuable and unique aspect that IC offers to its community.
MP: It’s not a traditional landlord-tenant structure at Industry City. We partner with our tenants on creative activations, product launches, design build-outs, and business development. I would say the biggest amenity we’ve created is the community itself. The common spaces, dining, retail and event programming are all designed to inspire collaboration and accidental collisions between tenants. For creative companies, whose job it is to innovate, that environment is invaluable.

WD: It has been an exciting challenge and mission for WantedDesign to partner with you and your team to activate IC during NYCxDESIGN for 5 years now. This year we will evolve from WantedDesign Brooklyn to IC Festival by WantedDesign. What are your dreams and expectations for the years to come?
MP: I would like to see it to continue to grow, continue to include the best emerging and established designers, and continue to push the design world toward all things Brooklyn.

IC DESIGN FESTIVAL BY WANTEDDESIGN CONTENT

Camille Walala x Industry City

The Camille Walala x Industry City mural is complete in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, check it out at Building One on 2nd Avenue between 36th and 37th Streets. WantedDesign asked Camille to permanently reinvent a prominent 7-story building at Industry City as part of the IC Design Festival, May 17-21. Part of Oui Design, an initiative of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and its partner Foundation FACE. Paint from Ressource Americas with the support of Evergreene Architectural Arts. This is a permanent installation.

WantedDesign Brooklyn Factory Floor Exhibitions

Plastic bottle floating in the sea in the Firth of Forth, Scotland. Up to 12.7 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the oceans every year.

Each year, WantedDesign curates a series of exhibitions on Industry City’s Factory Floor. This year, those include Conscious Design, Couleur, Working with the World and Ciav & Brooklyn Glass’s exhibition of the Douglas Collection. WantedDesign Brooklyn is open May 17-21, 11am-6pm daily. Learn more.

Industry City Open Studios

The artists, designers and makers of Industry City Studios will open their doors to the public for Open Studios 2018. On Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, visitors will be able to tour the studios of nearly 100 painters, photographers, printmakers, sculptors, and video artists, among others. Open Studios provides a rare opportunity to talk with artists, see works in progress, and discover how each artist has customized a studio space to fit the demands of his or her artistic practice. Learn more.

WantedDesign Brooklyn Programming

Check out family craft activities, conversations and more here.