As a national mentorship program aimed at the country’s most promising furniture, accessories, textiles and homewares designers, Springboard will help creative businesses in Australia develop a competitive edge both locally and internationally.

Over the next 12 months, designers will have the personal guidance of 6 established business professionals across key areas of sustainable best practice, contractual law, IP, financial management, the media, manufacturing, retail and export markets.

Mentors include former brand consultant for Apple Computer Bradford Gorman, eco-design specialist John Gertsakis, and Swedish market strategist Mats Ekström.

Program directors Heidi Dokulil and Ewan McEoin have drawn on their extensive experience as design editors, writers, publishers, curators and design industry specialists, to develop the program and source mentors who are both leaders in the business world and have experience across the design industry.

‘Right now Australia is experiencing a buzz of activity in the design sector so it’s really paramount to assist designers with the business and market skills to succeed. We chose mentors who are experienced professionals in their own field but who have also worked across design and the arts, so they understand this sector.’

Training workshops, an online design portal, and one to one mentorship, will provide designers with access to industry knowledge and an expansive industry network, providing the tools and the know-how to connect their design skills with strategic business practice.

The program launches on 31 March 2008 with workshops in Sydney, followed by Melbourne and Brisbane.

Springboard is an Australian Design Unit project – a joint venture between Parcel and Studio Propeller. It is supported by the Australia Council, and is an Australian Government funded initiative under the Building Entrepreneurship in Small Business program.

Stage One applications close 10 March 2008.

www.australiandesignunit.com/springboard